EP0617145A1 - Device for the protection of anode hanger nipples - Google Patents
Device for the protection of anode hanger nipples Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0617145A1 EP0617145A1 EP94200654A EP94200654A EP0617145A1 EP 0617145 A1 EP0617145 A1 EP 0617145A1 EP 94200654 A EP94200654 A EP 94200654A EP 94200654 A EP94200654 A EP 94200654A EP 0617145 A1 EP0617145 A1 EP 0617145A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- nipples
- accordance
- anode
- parts
- bath
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 title claims abstract description 26
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical group [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alumina Chemical compound [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 24
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 229910001610 cryolite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 230000010339 dilation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003628 erosive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009415 formwork Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000005575 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100000766 Possible carcinogen Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000571 coke Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002994 raw material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25C3/00—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
- C25C3/06—Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
- C25C3/08—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
- C25C3/12—Anodes
Definitions
- the present invention concerns a device for the protection of the lower part of an anode hanger (hereinafter called a nipple) during the production of aluminium in a Hall-Heroult electrolysis process, made of a composite material consisting of carbon residues, hardening material, water and a catalyst.
- a nipple an anode hanger
- the anode hanger functions like an electric current conductor and fastening device for the anode in an electrolysis cell.
- the lower part of the anode hanger consists of two or more steel bolts which are fixed in the anode by casting.
- Aluminium is generally manufactured from aluminium oxide dissolved in a bath consisting mainly of melted cryolite.
- the bath is typically kept at a temperature of 940 - 980°C.
- the cathode represents the bottom of an electrolysis cell formed like a vessel containing the bath, while the anodes are submerged into the bath from above.
- the current is passed through an electrolysis cell from the anode hanger and through the anode and the bath/metal layer to the cathode.
- the anode is oxidised from its base surface upwards by the oxygen which is formed in the decomposition phase of the aluminium oxide.
- the nipples to which the anode is fastened must be protected against the liquid bath which is forced in towards the nipples when the anode approaches critical consumption level.
- the normal method of protecting the nipples today is to make a formwork of aluminium tape or cardboard around the nipple so that an annulus is formed between the formwork and the nipple which is filled with a granulate consisting of carbon, preferably coke, and a binding material consisting of pitch.
- This composite is heated up by the temperature transition from the anode and is melted and calcinated to form a solid, dimensionally stable protective device.
- the disadvantage of this procedure is that during this process the composite gives off PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) gases which are registered today as possible carcinogens. Furthermore, it is an expensive procedure as high quality raw materials are used.
- PAH polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- the aim of the present invention was to improve commonly known solutions for protecting nipples beyond the known technology.
- a further aim was to produce a device which is reasonable to produce in terms of cost, is simple to join around the nipples after the anode is in place and which provides effective nipple protection.
- Fig. 1 shows the principle of a conventional Hall-Heroult electrolysis cell in which the cathode 1, together with the liquid aluminium metal 2, forms the base of an electrolysis vessel.
- the anode 4 is moved down into the liquid cryolite bath towards the base of the electrolysis vessel as the anode becomes worn and in order to preserve a roughly constant distance between the wear surface of the anode and the base of the electrolysis vessel.
- the device 5 prevents the aggressive bath attacking and eroding the steel nipples 6 to which the anode 4 is fastened and which conduct electric current to the anode.
- the bath is covered with an insulating layer 7 of crushed bath materials and aluminium oxide.
- Fig. 2 shows an anode hanger with a mounted anode 4 and nipples 6 with an example of a device 5 in accordance with the present invention for protection against the cryolite bath.
- Section A-A shows an annulus 9 between nipple 6 and the device 5 which can be filled with crushed bath and aluminium oxide to avoid cracks in the device 5 on account of the effects of the dilation forces.
- Fig. 3 shows an advantageous design of the present invention in which the upper part is provided with a diagonal part 10 to ease filling the annulus 9 with crushed bath and aluminium oxide, as well as a male/female connection 11.
- the design of the male/female connection is shown in section B-B which shows that, using diagonal surfaces between the male and female parts, it is possible to fasten the two parts together with a simple grip.
- the simple design of the male and female parts makes the device 5 easy to mass-produce and means that it can be joined in a very short time and effectively protect the nipple, which results in large savings in production.
- the protective device 5 is designed so that an annulus is formed between it and the nipples.
- the present invention as it is defined in the claims, is not, however, restricted to this design but can be produced from a material which eliminates the dilation forces and allows them to reach right in to the nipples.
- the parts which make up the device 5 can be fastened to each other by means of a binder, and/or the parts can be fastened to the anode and/or the nipples by means of such a binder.
- the protective device 5 can have a shape different to the ring shape shown in the diagrams, for example a square.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
- Prevention Of Electric Corrosion (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
- Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
- Catalysts (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention concerns a device for protecting anode hanger nipples when manufacturing aluminium in a Hall-Heroult electrolysis process, made of a composite material consisting of carbon residues, hardening material, water and a catalyst. The device is characterised by two or more prefabricated, dimensionally stable parts which are designed to be joined in an arrangement in situ.
Description
- The present invention concerns a device for the protection of the lower part of an anode hanger (hereinafter called a nipple) during the production of aluminium in a Hall-Heroult electrolysis process, made of a composite material consisting of carbon residues, hardening material, water and a catalyst.
- The anode hanger functions like an electric current conductor and fastening device for the anode in an electrolysis cell. The lower part of the anode hanger consists of two or more steel bolts which are fixed in the anode by casting.
- Aluminium is generally manufactured from aluminium oxide dissolved in a bath consisting mainly of melted cryolite. The bath is typically kept at a temperature of 940 - 980°C. The cathode represents the bottom of an electrolysis cell formed like a vessel containing the bath, while the anodes are submerged into the bath from above. The current is passed through an electrolysis cell from the anode hanger and through the anode and the bath/metal layer to the cathode. The anode is oxidised from its base surface upwards by the oxygen which is formed in the decomposition phase of the aluminium oxide. In order to be able to utilise the anode to the maximum, the nipples to which the anode is fastened must be protected against the liquid bath which is forced in towards the nipples when the anode approaches critical consumption level.
- Without a protective device the bath would attack the nipples with erosion of the iron as a result, which is very damaging for the quality of the metal.
The normal method of protecting the nipples today is to make a formwork of aluminium tape or cardboard around the nipple so that an annulus is formed between the formwork and the nipple which is filled with a granulate consisting of carbon, preferably coke, and a binding material consisting of pitch. - This composite is heated up by the temperature transition from the anode and is melted and calcinated to form a solid, dimensionally stable protective device. The disadvantage of this procedure is that during this process the composite gives off PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) gases which are registered today as possible carcinogens. Furthermore, it is an expensive procedure as high quality raw materials are used.
- The aim of the present invention was to improve commonly known solutions for protecting nipples beyond the known technology. A further aim was to produce a device which is reasonable to produce in terms of cost, is simple to join around the nipples after the anode is in place and which provides effective nipple protection.
- In accordance with the present invention, this was achieved by means of a device mentioned in the introduction and which is characterised in that it consists of two or more prefabricated parts which are designed to be joined in an arrangement around each of the nipples.
The present invention will be described in the following with one example and with reference to the enclosed drawings. - Fig.1
- shows a section through a Hall-Heroult electrolysis cell in which a new, almost consumed anode is located.
- Fig. 2
- shows an anode hanger with a mounted anode and a protective device.
- Fig. 3
- shows a protective device in perspective.
- Fig. 1 shows the principle of a conventional Hall-Heroult electrolysis cell in which the cathode 1, together with the liquid aluminium metal 2, forms the base of an electrolysis vessel. The
anode 4 is moved down into the liquid cryolite bath towards the base of the electrolysis vessel as the anode becomes worn and in order to preserve a roughly constant distance between the wear surface of the anode and the base of the electrolysis vessel. Thedevice 5 prevents the aggressive bath attacking and eroding thesteel nipples 6 to which theanode 4 is fastened and which conduct electric current to the anode. The bath is covered with aninsulating layer 7 of crushed bath materials and aluminium oxide. - Fig. 2 shows an anode hanger with a mounted
anode 4 andnipples 6 with an example of adevice 5 in accordance with the present invention for protection against the cryolite bath. Section A-A shows anannulus 9 betweennipple 6 and thedevice 5 which can be filled with crushed bath and aluminium oxide to avoid cracks in thedevice 5 on account of the effects of the dilation forces. - Fig. 3 shows an advantageous design of the present invention in which the upper part is provided with a
diagonal part 10 to ease filling theannulus 9 with crushed bath and aluminium oxide, as well as a male/female connection 11. The design of the male/female connection is shown in section B-B which shows that, using diagonal surfaces between the male and female parts, it is possible to fasten the two parts together with a simple grip. The simple design of the male and female parts makes thedevice 5 easy to mass-produce and means that it can be joined in a very short time and effectively protect the nipple, which results in large savings in production. - In the examples mentioned in the above and shown in Figs. 2 arid 3, the
protective device 5 is designed so that an annulus is formed between it and the nipples. The present invention, as it is defined in the claims, is not, however, restricted to this design but can be produced from a material which eliminates the dilation forces and allows them to reach right in to the nipples. Furthermore, the parts which make up thedevice 5 can be fastened to each other by means of a binder, and/or the parts can be fastened to the anode and/or the nipples by means of such a binder.
Furthermore, theprotective device 5 can have a shape different to the ring shape shown in the diagrams, for example a square.
Claims (7)
- Device (5) for protecting anode hanger nipples (6) when manufacturing aluminium in a Hall-Heroult electrolysis process, made, for example, of a composite material consisting of carbon residues, hardening material, water and catalyst,
characterised by two or more prefabricated, dimensionally stable parts which are designed to be joined in an arrangement (5) around each of the nipples. - Device in accordance with claim 1,
characterised in that the parts of the device can be locked together at the ends, which are designed in the form of a male/female connection (11). - Device in accordance with claims 1 and 2,
characterised in that the device (5) is designed in such a way that an annulus (9) is formed between the nipple (6) and the device (5), which can be filled with, for example, crushed bath and aluminium oxide so that the expansion of the nipples (6) in connection with a rise in temperature does not affect the device (5). - Device in accordance with claim 3,
characterised in that the upper part of the device is provided with a diagonal part (10) to make it easier to pour crushed bath and aluminium oxide into the annulus (9). - Device in accordance with claims 3 and 4,
characterised in that the size of the annulus (9) is sufficiently large for the crushed bath and aluminium oxide material to cover the whole of the surface of the nipple which is enclosed by the device (5). - Device in accordance with claims 1-5,
characterised in that the parts are jointed together by means of a binder. - Device in accordance with claims 1-6,
characterised in that the parts are fastened to the nipples and/or the anode by means of a binder.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO930956A NO177232C (en) | 1993-03-17 | 1993-03-17 | Device for protecting anode hanger nipples in the manufacture of aluminum |
| NO930956 | 1993-03-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0617145A1 true EP0617145A1 (en) | 1994-09-28 |
Family
ID=19895933
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP94200654A Withdrawn EP0617145A1 (en) | 1993-03-17 | 1994-03-15 | Device for the protection of anode hanger nipples |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0617145A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1094763A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU5769394A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9401180A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2119100A1 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO177232C (en) |
| RU (1) | RU94008624A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA941616B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR3016897B1 (en) * | 2014-01-27 | 2017-08-04 | Rio Tinto Alcan Int Ltd | ANODIC ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME. |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0197887A1 (en) * | 1985-03-06 | 1986-10-15 | Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ag | Protector sleeve |
-
1993
- 1993-03-17 NO NO930956A patent/NO177232C/en unknown
-
1994
- 1994-03-08 ZA ZA941616A patent/ZA941616B/en unknown
- 1994-03-09 AU AU57693/94A patent/AU5769394A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-03-15 CA CA002119100A patent/CA2119100A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-03-15 EP EP94200654A patent/EP0617145A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1994-03-16 BR BR9401180A patent/BR9401180A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-03-16 RU RU94008624/02A patent/RU94008624A/en unknown
- 1994-03-17 CN CN94104819A patent/CN1094763A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0197887A1 (en) * | 1985-03-06 | 1986-10-15 | Alusuisse-Lonza Services Ag | Protector sleeve |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU5769394A (en) | 1994-09-22 |
| NO930956D0 (en) | 1993-03-17 |
| RU94008624A (en) | 1996-06-27 |
| NO177232C (en) | 1995-08-09 |
| NO930956L (en) | 1994-09-19 |
| ZA941616B (en) | 1994-10-12 |
| NO177232B (en) | 1995-05-02 |
| CN1094763A (en) | 1994-11-09 |
| CA2119100A1 (en) | 1994-09-18 |
| BR9401180A (en) | 1994-10-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR LI NL |
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| RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: NORSK HYDRO A/S |
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| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
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| 18W | Application withdrawn |
Withdrawal date: 19950130 |