EP2766517A1 - Système et procédé de contrôle de la formation de couches dans une cuve d'électrolyse d'aluminium - Google Patents

Système et procédé de contrôle de la formation de couches dans une cuve d'électrolyse d'aluminium

Info

Publication number
EP2766517A1
EP2766517A1 EP12840557.8A EP12840557A EP2766517A1 EP 2766517 A1 EP2766517 A1 EP 2766517A1 EP 12840557 A EP12840557 A EP 12840557A EP 2766517 A1 EP2766517 A1 EP 2766517A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat
heat tube
electrolysis cell
tube
shell
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP12840557.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2766517B1 (fr
EP2766517A4 (fr
Inventor
Veroslav Sedlak
Dumitru Fetcu
John Paul Salvador
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.)
Goodtech Recovery Technology AS
Original Assignee
Goodtech Recovery Technology AS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Goodtech Recovery Technology AS filed Critical Goodtech Recovery Technology AS
Publication of EP2766517A1 publication Critical patent/EP2766517A1/fr
Publication of EP2766517A4 publication Critical patent/EP2766517A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2766517B1 publication Critical patent/EP2766517B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • 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
    • C25C3/085—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes characterised by its non electrically conducting heat insulating parts
    • 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
    • C25C3/20—Automatic control or regulation of cells

Definitions

  • the invention relates to heat regulation in general and particularly improved method and system for cooling over a large area, suitable for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat.
  • the operations of the cells depend on the formation and maintenance of a protective layer of frozen electrolyte in the side walls of the cell.
  • This frozen bath is called side layer and protects the side lining of the cells against chemical and mechanical wear, and is an essential condition for achieving long lifetime of the cells.
  • the frozen bath operates simultaneously as a buffer for the cell with regards of changes in the heat balance.
  • the heat generation and the heat balance of the cell will vary due to unwanted disturbances of the operation (changes in bath acidity, changes in alumina concentration, changes in interpolar distances, etc.) and desired activities on the cells (metal tapping, change of anode, fire, etc.).
  • the traditional method of removing heat was to use air convection over the entire surface area of the cell, resulting in limited potential for exploitation of the removed heat.
  • a main objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat.
  • a second object of the invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation suited for retrofitting to an aluminium electrolysis cell.
  • the objective is achieved according to the invention by a system for use for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell as defined in the preamble of claim 1 , having the features of the characterising portion of claim 1 , and a method for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell as defined in the preamble of claim 8, having the features of the characterising portion of claim 10.
  • the present invention attains the above-described object by a flat heat tube for attachment to the steel casing of an aluminium electrolysis cell.
  • This heat tube can be a heat pipe or a thermosyphon, or even a cooling pipe using a fluid not
  • the heat tube is provided with a substantially flat surface.
  • the heat tube has a meandering shape.
  • a system for use for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat said electrolysis cell comprising a sidelining and a shell is provided, further comprising a surface attached heat tube provided with means for attachment to said shell.
  • the heat tube is a heat pipe.
  • the heat tube is a thermosyphon.
  • thermosyphon is provided with a substantially downward inclination.
  • heat tube has a meandering shape.
  • the heat tube is provided with at least one flat face suited for attachment to the surface of the steel shell 8 of the electrolysis cell.
  • the flat face is provided with a longitudinal track.
  • the longitudinal track runs parallel to the heat tube.
  • the longitudinal track runs in a meandering path with respect to the heat tube.
  • a method for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell said electrolysis cell comprising a sidelining and a shell is provided, further comprising a heat tube provided with means for attachment to said shell is attached to said shell, conducting the heat away using said surface attached heat tube.
  • the present invention is for attachment to the steel shell covering a ceramic block, and freezes out a sidelayer in the electrolyte bath by extracting heat through the ceramic which is in thermal contact with the steel shell.
  • Prior art in contrast describes cooling by embedding fooling features in or embedded in the ceramic block.
  • the heat pipe converts between low heat flux in the evaporation side to high heat flux on the condensation side, enabling a small size heat exchanger
  • Figure 1 shows state of the art of a Hall-Heroult cell in the form of a sidelining block, and a steel shell or casing
  • Figure 2 shows a detail section of the embodiment of figure 1 together with section as seen from the side
  • Figure 3 shows state of the art of a Hall-Heroult cell in the form of a sidelining block with hollows provided with heat tube, and a steel shell or casing,
  • Figure 4 shows the present invention installed on a cell
  • Figure 5a shows an end view of a first embodiment
  • Figure 5b shows a side view of the first embodiment
  • Figure 5c shows a front view of the first embodiment
  • Figure 5d shows a cross section A-A of the first embodiment
  • Figure 5e shows a cross section A-A of the first embodiment having a longitudinal track
  • Figure 5f shows a cross section B-B of the first embodiment
  • Figure 6a shows an end view of a second embodiment
  • Figure 6b shows a side view of the second embodiment
  • Figure 6c shows a front view of the second embodiment
  • Figure 6d shows a cross section A-A of the second embodiment
  • Figure 6e shows a cross section A-A of the second embodiment having a
  • figure 1 shows state of the art of a Hall-Heroult cell in the form of a sidelining block 1 1 and a steel shell 8 or casing. Details are shown in figure 2.
  • a state of the art cell using active cooling as known from previously mentioned prior art is shown in fig. 3.
  • sidelining one should here understand this to mean sidelining block 1 1 , optionally in the case of state of the art together with the heat insulation 10, wherein the sidelining block is optionally provided with heat tube 12.
  • the sidelining block 1 1 is typically a ceramic block, typically in the form of silicon carbide (SiC).
  • heat tube 12 100 there are two embodiments intended: "heat pipe” where a wick or other capillary effect pulls the liquid back to the hot end, and
  • thermosyphon where the gravity pulls the liquid back to the hot end.
  • the hot end is also known as the evaporation section. Both principles can be applied for this invention, though a thermosyphon it is preferred that the tube body is provided with a substantially downward inclination so that fluid in the liquid phase can run down the length of the tube. Since heat tubes of either type operate by removing heat by phase transition liquid to gas, it is preferred that the heat tube allows liquid to reach the lowest point in the heat tube.
  • a typical Hall-Heroult cell comprises a steel casing or shell 8, surrounding a sidelining block 1 1 .
  • the steel casing is in good thermal contact with sidelining block due to a thermal paste.
  • the sidelining block on the opposite side from the steel casing, is in contact with the electrolyte containing aluminium (Al).
  • Al aluminium
  • Central in the invention is the realisation that it is possible to remove a sufficient amount of heat by attaching a heat tube 100 to the steel casing.
  • a heat tube operates to remove heat, the steel shell does not become overheated, and with the high thermal conductivity present through the metal and the thermal paste, the layer of frozen electrolyte 6 can be maintained.
  • the embodiment of the apparatus according to the best mode of invention shown in Fig. 5 and 6 comprises a meandering thermosyphon 100 hot end having a substantially continuously downward component with reference to gravity, and an alternating right and left component horizontally.
  • a cold end is attached.
  • the cold end is also known as the condensation end.
  • the condensation unit is placed having condensation fins attached to the cold end for efficient heat transfer.
  • Fluid enters a first fluid connector, into the condensation unit where heat is removed from the cold end, and out through a second fluid connector.
  • Some horizontal extents of the heat tube can be accepted, also small amounts of depressions. Any depressions will catch fluid in the liquid state, limiting the amount that continues downward.
  • Condensation to the liquid phase takes place using a heat exchanger 130, transferring the heat typically to an oil or molten salt circuit.
  • the heat tube 100 is typically in the form of a thermosyphon, since gravity is sufficient for ensuring fluid in the liquid phase is transported down the heat tube.
  • the heat tube is provided with at least one flat surface suited for attachment to the surface of the steel shell 8 of the electrolysis cell. This can be made through moulding as well as by welding a traditional heat tube to a suitably formed part having a flat surface or flat face 140.
  • the surface attached heat tube is provided with holes 142 for attachment to the steel shell. Holes can be provided along the sides of the flat face of the heat tube.
  • the flat surface is then provided with thermal conductive paste, of which many are well known in the art, and then attached to the steel shell using the holes by bolts, screws or other methods well known in the art.
  • the steel shell assembly with the heat tube is provided with thermal insulation, preventing heat from leaking into the surroundings. This is shown in fig. 4.
  • One solution is to provide a longitudinal track 150 in the flat face and preferably also an access hole to 152 this track for applying heat paste under pressure through said hole and into said track, preferably until heat paste starts exiting through an exit hole 154.
  • the longitudinal track can be straight or
  • adhesive or thermal glue can be used.
  • steel shell and the heat tubes might not be as separate parts, rather the heat tubes could be moulded into the steel shell during manufacture, as a monolithic unit.
  • the shell of the cell is described as being made of steel, it should be clear that any other material will also work as long as it can conduct heat and withstand the temperatures involved. Several alternatives can be envisaged, such as ceramic materials.
  • the invention according to the application finds use in control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of the heat.
  • a surface attached heat tube 100 provided with means for attachment (142, 144, 146) to said shell.
  • thermosyphon a thermosyphon
  • thermosyphon is provided with a substantially downward inclination.
  • thermolysis cell 6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the heat tube is provided with at least one flat face (140) suited for attachment to the surface of the steel shell 8 of the electrolysis cell.
  • a method for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell said electrolysis cell comprising a sidelining (1 1 ) and a shell (8);
  • An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat.
  • a second object of the invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation suited for retrofitting to an aluminium electrolysis cell and maintainability during operations of the cell.
  • the present invention attains the above-described objectives by a flat heat tube for attachment to the steel casing of an aluminium electrolysis cell.
  • This heat tube can be a heat pipe or a thermosyphon.
  • the heat tube is provided with a substantially flat surface.
  • the heat tube has a meandering shape.

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)
  • Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

L'un des objets de l'invention est de mettre en oeuvre un procédé et un système destinés à contrôler la formation d'une couche sur une zone étendue d'une cellule d'électrolyse d'aluminium et d'en exploiter la chaleur. Un second objet de l'invention est de mettre en oeuvre un procédé et un système destinés à contrôler la formation d'une couche adaptée pour assurer la réhabilitation d'une cellule d'électrolyse d'aluminium et la maintenabilité au cours des fonctionnements de la cellule. Ces objectifs sont réalisés au moyen d'un tube de chaleur plat qui se fixe à l'enveloppe en acier d'une cellule d'électrolyse d'aluminium. Ce tube de chaleur peut être un caloduc ou un thermosiphon. De préférence, le tube de chaleur présente une surface sensiblement plane. De préférence, le tube de chaleur présente une forme sinueuse.
EP12840557.8A 2011-10-10 2012-10-05 Système et procédé de contrôle de la formation de couches dans une cuve d'électrolyse d'aluminium Not-in-force EP2766517B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20111371 2011-10-10
PCT/NO2012/050196 WO2013055229A1 (fr) 2011-10-10 2012-10-05 Système et procédé de contrôle de la formation de couches dans une cuve d'électrolyse d'aluminium

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2766517A1 true EP2766517A1 (fr) 2014-08-20
EP2766517A4 EP2766517A4 (fr) 2015-07-08
EP2766517B1 EP2766517B1 (fr) 2017-11-08

Family

ID=48082139

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP12840557.8A Not-in-force EP2766517B1 (fr) 2011-10-10 2012-10-05 Système et procédé de contrôle de la formation de couches dans une cuve d'électrolyse d'aluminium

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20140202873A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2766517B1 (fr)
AR (1) AR088290A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2846225A1 (fr)
EA (1) EA201490507A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2013055229A1 (fr)
ZA (1) ZA201401377B (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2013149627A (ru) * 2011-04-08 2015-05-20 БиЭйчПи БИЛЛИТОН ЭЛЮМИНИУМ ТЕКНОЛОДЖИС ЛИМИТЕД Теплообменные элементы для использования в резервуарах пирометаллургических установок
NO337186B1 (no) * 2013-05-06 2016-02-08 Goodtech Recovery Tech As Varmerørsammenstilling med returlinjer
CN112210793B (zh) * 2020-10-19 2022-06-10 郑州轻冶科技股份有限公司 一种侧部带热管换热器的铝电解槽
FR3129157A1 (fr) * 2021-11-18 2023-05-19 Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited Système de revêtement intérieur pour cuve d’électrolyse
WO2023191646A1 (fr) * 2022-07-08 2023-10-05 Enpot Holdings Limited Procédé et appareil de fusion d'aluminium

Family Cites Families (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2841544A (en) * 1956-04-24 1958-07-01 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Process for the production of fluorinecontaining compounds
US4222841A (en) * 1979-04-23 1980-09-16 Alumax Inc. Hall cell
GB2076428B (en) * 1980-05-19 1983-11-09 Carblox Ltd Aluminium manufacture
DE3033710A1 (de) * 1980-09-02 1982-04-01 Schweizerische Aluminium AG, 3965 Chippis Vorrichtung zum regulieren des waermeflusses einer aluminiumschmelzflusselektrolysezelle und verfahren zum betrieb dieser zelle
US4608134A (en) * 1985-04-22 1986-08-26 Aluminum Company Of America Hall cell with inert liner
FR2694945B1 (fr) * 1992-08-20 1994-10-07 Pechiney Aluminium Superstructure de cuve d'électrolyse de très haute intensité pour la production d'aluminium.
FR2842215B1 (fr) * 2002-07-09 2004-08-13 Pechiney Aluminium Procede et systeme de refroidissement d'une cuve d'electrolyse pour la production d'aluminium
NO318012B1 (no) * 2003-03-17 2005-01-17 Norsk Hydro As Strukturelle elementer for benyttelse i en elektrolysecelle
AU2005242903B2 (en) * 2004-05-18 2010-06-03 Enpot Holdings Limited Heat exchanger
BRPI0516399A (pt) * 2004-10-21 2008-09-02 Bhp Billiton Innovation Pty célula eletrolìtica e processo para produção de metal
FR2893329B1 (fr) * 2005-11-14 2008-05-16 Aluminium Pechiney Soc Par Act Cuve d'electrolyse avec echangeur thermique.
US20080017504A1 (en) * 2006-07-24 2008-01-24 Alcoa Inc. Sidewall temperature control systems and methods and improved electrolysis cells relating to same
NO337977B1 (no) * 2008-10-31 2016-07-18 Norsk Hydro As Fremgangsmåte og anordning for ekstrahering av varme fra aluminium elektrolyseceller
AR083049A1 (es) * 2010-09-22 2013-01-30 Goodtech Recovery Technology As Revestimiento lateral

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20140202873A1 (en) 2014-07-24
EP2766517B1 (fr) 2017-11-08
EA201490507A1 (ru) 2014-09-30
WO2013055229A1 (fr) 2013-04-18
CA2846225A1 (fr) 2013-04-18
ZA201401377B (en) 2015-11-25
EP2766517A4 (fr) 2015-07-08
AR088290A1 (es) 2014-05-21

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