EP2150639B1 - Cellules d'électrolyse branchées en série et leur procédé d'exploitation - Google Patents

Cellules d'électrolyse branchées en série et leur procédé d'exploitation Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2150639B1
EP2150639B1 EP08723979.4A EP08723979A EP2150639B1 EP 2150639 B1 EP2150639 B1 EP 2150639B1 EP 08723979 A EP08723979 A EP 08723979A EP 2150639 B1 EP2150639 B1 EP 2150639B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bus bar
cathode
collector
current
cell
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.)
Active
Application number
EP08723979.4A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2150639A1 (fr
EP2150639A4 (fr
Inventor
Frank Ovstetun
Christian Droste
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Norsk Hydro ASA
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Norsk Hydro ASA
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Publication of EP2150639A4 publication Critical patent/EP2150639A4/fr
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    • 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
    • C25C3/16—Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrolysis cells connected in series and a method for operating the cells.
  • the invention uses a bus bar system and followingly electrical current distribution in cells of the Hall-Heroult type for production of aluminium.
  • Each cell is constituted by an insulated parallelepiped steel container supporting a cathode containing prebaked carbon blocks in which there are sealed some steel rods known as cathode current collector bars, which conduct the current out of the cell, traditionally approximately 50% from each of the long sides of the cell.
  • the outlets of the cathode current collector bars are connected to the busbar system, which serve to conduct the current from the cathodes towards the anodes of the following cell.
  • the anode system composed of carbon, steel and aluminium, is fixed on a so-called “anode frame", with anode rods adjustable in height and electrically connected to the cathode rods of the preceding cell.
  • the electrolyte that is the solution of alumina in a molten cryolite mixture at 940-980 °C, is located between the anode system and the cathode.
  • the aluminium produced is deposited on the cathode surface.
  • a layer of liquid aluminium is kept permanently on the bottom of the cathode crucible.
  • the crucible is rectangular, the anode frame supporting the anodes is generally parallel to its large sides, whereas the cathode rods are parallel to its small sides known as cell heads.
  • the main magnetic field in the cell is created by the current flow in the anode and the cathode system. All other current flows will give perturbations to this created main field.
  • the cells are arranged in rows and can be disposed transversely in a side-by-side orientation; their short side is parallel to the axis of the potline. Alternatively, disposed longitudinally in an end-to-end orientation, their long side is parallel to the axis of the potline.
  • one potline is represented by two rows of cells. The current has opposite directions in the two rows.
  • the cells are connected electrically in series, the ends of the series being connected to the positive and negative outputs of an electric rectification and control substation.
  • the current distribution through the anode system is mainly affected by the arrangement of the anodes in the cell, as well as the design of the stub configuration of the anode hanger and their interface with the individual anode.
  • collector bars When it comes to the cathode system, it is normally designed in a manner where collector bars are embedded in individual cathode blocks in a horizontal manner. This technological solution has shown to be very reliable regarding problems with leakages of melt or bath through the cathode system. Further, the collector bars will be protected by the surrounding cathode material (carbon based material) that is highly resistant against high temperatures and corrosive attacks. Commonly, bus bars collect the current outside the cathode shell.
  • One shortcoming by this prior art is that the current distribution in the cathode system will be more intensive in the periphery of the cathode blocks than elsewhere.
  • the current should advantageously be distributed in a predefined manner, and at more appropriate areas of the cathode system, to obtain an even current distribution.
  • current that is led out of the cathode system at the so called up-stream side of the cathode have to be led towards the so called down-stream side of the cathode and further to the anode system of the neighbouring cell in the series.
  • This way of conducting current upstream in parts of the cathode and subsequently downstream in the busbar system, will represent a system where parts of the cell's current is led through a longer distance than strictly necessary.
  • the design of the cathode current distribution and the corresponding busbar system for aluminium production cells is acknowledged to represent one of the more qualified key activities in developing a competitive aluminium reduction technology.
  • the designer should have several degrees of freedom in the process of developing an optimum cathode system, using skill to select a configuration (topology), which can result in an optimum current distribution.
  • the cell has a substantially horizontal cathode of an electronic conducting material, and further have current leads such as horizontal collector bars embedded therein.
  • the cell comprises at least one vertical cathode outlet.
  • EP 0 345 959 A1 discloses an arrangement of bus bars in electrolysis cells, where the cathode part of the cells are provided with vertical current outlets only. These outlets are connected with a bus bar system comprising two parallel collector bus bars B1 and B2.
  • WO 81/01299 A1 discloses a method and an arrangement for eliminating magnetic disturbances in electrolytic cells. The total amount of current is extracted from vertical outlets only, arranged in the bottom of the cells.
  • GB 2 008 617 A discloses an arrangement where horizontal collector bar sections are integrated in the cathode blocks.
  • the collector bar sections have a vertical part that connects via horizontal connector bars to the line conductors.
  • EP 0 371 653 A1 relates to a cell with horizontal current outlets and where bus bars arranged under the cell in a skew-symmetric manner.
  • DE 29 16 971 A1 relates to reducing detrimental electromagnetic effects in a cell. This can be obtained by insulating the collector bars selectively in the cathode blocks to manipulate current paths in the cell. The current outlets are horizontal.
  • DE 30 04 071 A1 relates to an electrolysis cell where at its front side a first collector bars is embedded in a cathode and connected with a first bus bar, and a second collector bar connected with a second bus bar, where said bus bar is arranged below said first bus bar.
  • US 3 575 827 relates to cells for reduction of aluminium where cathode outlets in a cell comprise collector bars embedded in a cathode structure, said outlets are arranged at one side and further being electrically connected with the next cell in the series.
  • the present invention relates to the method of claim 1 and the serially connected electrolysis cells of claim 5.
  • the current distribution in the cathode system and correspondingly the lay-out of the bus bar system can be improved, due to the application of at least one current outlet arranged between the ends of the cathode.
  • the present invention includes the application of vertical current leads. Further, the current leads (current outlets) are electrically connected to horizontal collector bar elements that may extend partly or wholly through the cathode block. In the latter, its outermost end(-s) are connected to the bus bar system for the cell.
  • the preferred cathodic current distribution will depend on characteristic of the busbar system. It can be quite different for retrofitting the invention to existing busbar systems on one hand, or for a new busbar system design on the other hand. Hence, the preferred amount of current conducted out of the vertical outlets can be within the range 20 up to 100 %.
  • the amount of current leads can be relatively low, for instance in an embodiment applying a commonly used amount of horizontal collector bars.
  • the MHD effects in an electrolysis cell can be improved, and it is possible to simplify the bus bar design of said cell by reducing its weight. As a consequence the investment costs can be reduced.
  • One purpose of the described design is to obtain a low cathode voltage drop and an even or flat current distribution at the cathode block surface with improved Magnet Hydrodynamic stability. This can be achieved by means of a simplified busbar system (less weight and thereby cheaper), where the design of the individual bus bar elements is optimized.
  • Fig. 1 and 2 disclose one embodiment of a bus bar system 1 that conduct current from the cathode system in one first electrolysis cell to the anode system of its neighboring cell.
  • the cells are arranged in a side-by-side manner.
  • the bus bar elements of the anode system are indicated as anode beams 2, 3, for connecting electrically the anodic structure of the cell.
  • Individual anodes are indicated at A, A'.
  • anode risers one of those denoted as reference sign 6.
  • connections 7, for conducting current from collector bar outlets of the cathode (not shown) to a downstream arranged collector bus bar 10 which in turn is connected with the above mentioned risers.
  • connection 8 For the conductance of current from an intermediate region of the cathode, there is arranged one or more connections 8 which in turn is electrically connected to a intermediate collector bus bar 11.
  • the connection 8 is at the other hand electrically connected to a corresponding current outlet in the cathode (not shown).
  • collector bus bar 12 having plural connections 9 for conducting current from the cathode collector bar ends.
  • bus bar elements such as 13, 15, 16, conducting current from the cathode system to the downstream side of the cathode and further to the corresponding risers 6.
  • bus bar element 13 can be arranged outside the cell's foot print to compensate for unwanted magnetic disturbancies.
  • bus bar lay-out in this embodiment is of a symmetrical type, a similar bus bar element is arranged at the opposite end of the cell.
  • Bus bar element 15 and the corresponding elements 16 etc. towards the opposite side of the cell conduct current from the intermediate collector bus bar 11arranged in the cathode system and further to the collector bus bar 10.
  • bus bar elements 17 is arranged beneath the cathode shell, to optimize the magnetic field compensation.
  • Such elements are preferably arranged in a skew-symmetric manner (not shown), to optimize the effect of magnetic field compensation.
  • the bus bar system can conduct current from both current outlets arranged at the upstream and downstream side of the cathode system together with one or more intermediate positions in an advantageous manner with regard to obtain an even current distribution in the cell's cathode structure, and further to reduce the weight of the bus bar system as a whole.
  • Figure 3 discloses a second bus bar system (not according to the invention), where it in perspective is disclosed a schematic lay-out of a bus bar system, the cells being arranged in an end-to-end manner.
  • Figure 4 discloses in a top view, the same layout as disclosed in Fig. 3 .
  • the bus bar system 100 conducts current from the cathode system in one first electrolysis cell to the anode system of its neighboring cell.
  • the bus bar elements of the anode system are indicated as anode beams 202, 203, for connecting electrically the anodic structure of the cell.
  • Individual anodes are indicated at A, A'. Further there are shown anode risers 206, 206', 206", 206"'.
  • collector bus bars 210, 212 having electrical connections 207, 209 that are electrically connected with the cathode's collector bars (not shown).
  • the collector bus bars 210, 212 are at the other hand connected with the anode risers 206, 206' and via bus bar elements 218, 219 with the anode risers 206", 206'" of the neighboring cell.
  • connection 208 For the conductance of current from an intermediate region of the cathode, there is arranged one or more connections 208 which in turn is electrically connected to a intermediate collector bus bar 211.
  • the connection 208 is at the other hand electrically connected to a corresponding current outlet in the cathode (not shown).
  • the intermediate collector bus bar 211 is further connected with bus bar elements 218, 219 via bus bar elements 220, 221, 222.
  • the bus bar system can conduct current from both current outlets arranged at both sides of the cathode system together with one or more intermediate positions in an advantageous manner with regard to obtain an even current distribution in the cell's cathode structure, and further to reduce the weight of the bus bar system as a whole.
  • the amount of current that is distributed through the individual bus bar elements can be pre-calculated and optimized assisted by design software and verification trials.

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  • 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)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)

Claims (7)

  1. Procédé de fonctionnement de cellules d'électrolyse connectées en série du type Hall-Héroult pour la production d'aluminium, dans lequel un courant électrique est guidé dans une première cellule via un agencement d'anode disposé dans la partie supérieure de la cellule, à travers un électrolyte de type conducteur et une cathode horizontale, et en outre dans un agencement d'anode d'une cellule voisine via un système de barre omnibus (1), avec des faisceaux d'anode (2, 3), les cellules comprenant une structure de cathode horizontale d'un matériau conducteur électriquement et comportant en outre des barres collectrices horizontales incorporées à l'intérieur, dans lequel le courant est guidé hors de la cathode par au moins une extrémité horizontale de ladite(desdites) barre(s) collectrice(s), via des connexions (7, 9) d'au moins une des barres omnibus collectrices (10, 12) et en outre audit agencement d'anode de la cellule voisine via une ou plusieurs colonnes montante (6) et faisceaux d'anode (2, 3), dans lequel un courant électrique est guidé hors des cellules via au moins une sortie de courant vertical à une position intermédiaire,
    dans lequel
    au moins une sortie de courant verticale est connecté avec la(aux) connexion(s) (8) à la barre omnibus collectrice intermédiaire (11), dans lequel ladite barre omnibus collectrice intermédiaire (11) étant connectée à la barre omnibus collectrice en amont (12) par au moins un élément de barre omnibus (17) positionné au-dessous la coque de cathode, les cellules étant disposées côté à côte.
  2. Procédé selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel
    un courant électrique collecté par la barre omnibus collectrice intermédiaire (11) est en outre guidé via au moins un élément de barre omnibus (16) vers la barre omnibus collectrice (10), disposée en aval de ladite barre omnibus collectrice intermédiaire (11).
  3. Procédé selon la revendication 1,
    dans lequel
    la quantité de courant guidée hors de la cathode via au moins une position intermédiaire est une proportion précalculée de celle de l'extrémité horizontale de la barre collectrice.
  4. Procédé selon la revendication 3,
    dans lequel
    la quantité de courant guidée hors des positions intermédiaires est dans la plage de 20 à 100 % du courant total.
  5. Cellules d'électrolyse du type Hall-Héroult pour la production d'aluminium, les cellules étant connectées en série par un système de barre omnibus (1), les cellules ont une structure de cathode horizontale d'un matériau connecteur électriquement et ont en outre des barres conductrices horizontales incorporées à l'intérieur, dans lequel un courant est guidé hors de la cathode de chacune des cellules par au moins une extrémité horizontale de ladite(desdites) barre(s) collectrice(s), via des connexions (7, 9) d'au moins une des barres omnibus collectrices (10, 12) et en outre audit agencement d'anode de une cellule en aval via une ou plusieurs colonnes montante (6) et faisceaux d'anode (2, 3), dans laquelle un courant électrique est guidé hors des cellules via au moins une sortie de courant vertical, dans lequel
    au moins une sortie de courant verticale est connecté avec la (aux) connexion(s) (8) à la barre omnibus collectrice intermédiaire (11) du système de barre omnibus (1), dans lequel ladite barre omnibus collectrice intermédiaire (11) étant connectée à la barre omnibus collectrice en amont (12) par au moins un élément de barre omnibus (17) positionné au-dessous la coque de cathode, les cellules étant disposées côté à côte.
  6. Cellule d'électrolyse selon la revendication 5,
    dans laquelle
    le système de barre omnibus comprend au moins un élément de barre omnibus (13) en dehors de la tête de cellule.
  7. Cellule d'électrolyse selon la revendication 5,
    dans laquelle
    au moins un élément de barre omnibus (17) au-dessous de la coque de cathode est disposé d'une manière asymétrique.
EP08723979.4A 2007-04-02 2008-03-10 Cellules d'électrolyse branchées en série et leur procédé d'exploitation Active EP2150639B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20071766A NO331318B1 (no) 2007-04-02 2007-04-02 Fremgangsmate for drift av elektrolyseceller koblet i serie samt samleskinnesystem for samme
PCT/NO2008/000087 WO2008120993A1 (fr) 2007-04-02 2008-03-10 Améliorations concernant des cellules d'électrolyse branchées en série et leur procédé d'exploitation

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2150639A1 EP2150639A1 (fr) 2010-02-10
EP2150639A4 EP2150639A4 (fr) 2014-03-05
EP2150639B1 true EP2150639B1 (fr) 2018-05-16

Family

ID=39808490

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08723979.4A Active EP2150639B1 (fr) 2007-04-02 2008-03-10 Cellules d'électrolyse branchées en série et leur procédé d'exploitation

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2150639B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN101663422B (fr)
AU (1) AU2008233392B2 (fr)
BR (1) BRPI0809671B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2681205C (fr)
EA (1) EA016404B1 (fr)
NO (1) NO331318B1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ579815A (fr)
WO (1) WO2008120993A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA200906503B (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107541752A (zh) * 2016-06-28 2018-01-05 沈阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 一种铝电解槽电流自均衡母线网络结构

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1187809B (de) 1963-11-22 1965-02-25 Vaw Ver Aluminium Werke Ag Elektrolysezelle zur schmelzflusselektrolytischen Herstellung von Aluminium
US3575827A (en) * 1967-12-06 1971-04-20 Arthur F Johnson System for reduction of aluminum
GB2008617B (en) * 1977-11-23 1982-03-31 Alcan Res & Dev Electrolytic reduction cells
EP0016728A1 (fr) * 1979-03-23 1980-10-01 Schweizerische Aluminium AG Cellule électrolytique pour la production d'aluminium par électrolyse ignée de sels d'aluminium
DE2916971A1 (de) 1979-03-23 1980-09-25 Alusuisse Elektrolysezelle zur aluminiumherstellung durch schmelzflusselektrolyse von aluminiumsalzen
FR2469475A1 (fr) 1979-11-07 1981-05-22 Pechiney Aluminium Procede et dispositif pour la suppression des perturbations magnetiques dans les cuves d'electrolyse a tres haute intensite placees en travers
DE3004071A1 (de) 1979-12-21 1981-07-02 Schweizerische Aluminium AG, 3965 Chippis Schienenanordnung
NO164721C (no) * 1988-06-06 1990-11-07 Norsk Hydro As Anordning av skinnesystem paa store tverrstilte elektrolyseovner.
NO166657C (no) * 1988-11-28 1991-08-21 Norsk Hydro As Skinnearrangement for store tverrstilte elektrolyseovner.
NO332480B1 (no) 2006-09-14 2012-09-24 Norsk Hydro As Elektrolysecelle samt fremgangsmate for drift av samme

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101663422A (zh) 2010-03-03
ZA200906503B (en) 2010-06-30
NO331318B1 (no) 2011-11-21
CN101663422B (zh) 2011-12-28
CA2681205C (fr) 2014-02-04
NZ579815A (en) 2012-04-27
NO20071766L (no) 2008-10-03
AU2008233392A1 (en) 2008-10-09
BRPI0809671B1 (pt) 2018-10-30
EP2150639A1 (fr) 2010-02-10
CA2681205A1 (fr) 2008-10-09
AU2008233392B2 (en) 2012-04-26
EA200901330A1 (ru) 2010-02-26
EA016404B1 (ru) 2012-04-30
WO2008120993A1 (fr) 2008-10-09
EP2150639A4 (fr) 2014-03-05
BRPI0809671A2 (pt) 2014-10-07

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