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
  • C25C3/22—Collecting emitted gases
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a system for performing operations related to the operation of cells of an aluminum production plant by igneous electrolysis.
• the invention also relates to a unit for the operation of cells of such an installation, the unit comprising such a system, and an installation for producing aluminum by igneous electrolysis.
• the invention also relates to a method of intervention on a cell of such an installation.
• Aluminum is produced industrially by igneous electrolysis in electrolysis cells according to the well-known Hall-Héroult process.
• French patent application FR 2 806 742 (corresponding to US Pat. No. 6,409,894) describes the installations of an electrolysis plant intended for the production of aluminum.
• Electrolysis reactions, side reactions and high operating temperatures result in the production of gaseous effluents, which mainly contain carbon dioxide and fluorinated products.
• the discharge of these effluents into the atmosphere is strictly controlled and regulated, not only with regard to the ambient atmosphere of the electrolysis room, for reasons of working conditions of the personnel operating near the cells, but also regarding air pollution.
• Several states' pollution regulations impose limits on the amount of effluent released to the atmosphere.
• a widely used solution consists in providing the electrolysis cells with an effluent collection device.
• This device covers the electrolysis tanks and comprises means of containment, which include in particular a rollover device, and means for suctioning and chemical treatment of the effluents.
• the rollover device comprises removable covers that allow access to the interior of the cell, especially when replacing a worn anode with a new anode. Access to the interior of the cell may also be required during other interventions, such as liquid metal removal, bathing cover or various maintenance operations.
• the covers are removed from the cell and replaced manually, one by one, by a ground operator. The operator is then exposed to risks related to the proximity of the electrolysis cell and the presence of handling tools. In particular, the position of taking and removing the covers forces the operator to lean towards the cell. As the covers are based on reduced surfaces, the incorrect positioning of a cover can lead to a bad support of it on the cell, unbalance the operator and risk of falling into the tank.
• the removal of the hoods reduces the efficiency of the collection device and exposes the operator to the effluents of the cell, which requires him to wear protective masks.
• a support intended to be mounted on a mobile unit of the installation to be able to be moved over the cells
• first articulated arm mounted on the support and provided with a device for gripping at least one cover.
• the system of document FR 2 879 582 comprises a second articulated arm mounted on the support and provided with a cleaning tool such as a brush.
• a cleaning tool such as a brush.
• the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages mentioned above.
• the invention relates to a system for carrying out operations related to the operation of cells of an aluminum production plant. by igneous electrolysis, including cap handling operations of the cells, the system being intended to be mounted on a mobile unit of the plant so that it can be moved over the cells, the system comprising:
• a gripping device of at least one hood adapted to be coupled to a first end of the arm
• said storage device mounted on the support, being able to receive at least one cover provided by the arm equipped with the gripping device and to enable said equipped arm the gripping device to take back at least one cover previously placed in the storage device.
• the articulated arm is not forced to hold the covers permanently while the operations that required the removal of the covers (in particular the replacement of one or more anodes are performed). ) and operations prior to the replacement of the hoods (in particular the cleaning of certain areas of the cell).
• the articulated arm, released from the covers can be used to perform other operations, then resume the covers placed in the storage device to put them back on the cell.
• the system can gain in compactness and cost of manufacture and maintenance.
• the system comprises a single articulated arm mounted on the support. The gain in compactness is then further increased.
• This arm can be dedicated to the operations of handling the covers and cleaning the areas of the cell on which the covers are placed. It could also be designed to perform other operations, increasing the versatility of the system with a substantially unchanged compactness.
• the system comprises an additional arm to perform operations other than the handling of covers and the aforementioned cleaning, especially if these other operations require a structure or specific features of the arm that makes them.
• the system further comprises a tool storage device including at least the gripping device and a cleaning tool, the device storage device, mounted on the support, being arranged to be able to receive at least one tool provided by the arm and to allow said arm to take one of the tools placed in the storage device.
• a tool storage device including at least the gripping device and a cleaning tool
• the device storage device mounted on the support, being arranged to be able to receive at least one tool provided by the arm and to allow said arm to take one of the tools placed in the storage device.
• the arm can be equipped only with the tool needed to perform the operation in progress, the other tool or tools being placed in the storage device during this time.
• the cleaning can be performed by the arm not carrying the gripping device, which allows to gain practicality and efficiency during the cleaning operation.
• the presence of the storage device provides versatility of the system in very good conditions of use. Indeed, the tools remain located on the system and are not for example deposited on the floor of the installation, which avoids clutter on the ground, unwanted movement of the tool and the difficulty of locating it for that the arm can take it back.
• the support may comprise a base on which are fixedly mounted: the arm, the temporary storage device of at least one cover, and the tool storage device, when present.
• the arm, the storage device and the storage device are thus located in the same reference system, so that it is not necessary to provide a detection device so that the arm can take - or resume - properly one or several stored covers or a stored tool.
• first coupling means and that the gripping device, or any other tool capable of being coupled to the first end of the arm, is provided with second coupling means designed to cooperate, removably, with the first coupling means.
• second coupling means may be identical on all the tools, so that a "universal" coupling system is obtained.
• Coupling refers to a mechanical point of view - to ensure the holding of the tool on the arm - but also electrical and / or pneumatic or hydraulic - for the transmission of energy and actuation orders.
• the second coupling means are accessible when the tool is located in the storage device, in order to be approached by the first end of the arm and come to cooperate with the first coupling means.
• the temporary storage device of at least one cover may be designed to receive several covers arranged substantially in the same vertical plane, with their substantially horizontal side edges, the covers being superimposed substantially adjacent along the vertical direction. This allows, by gravity, to delete the games that could exist between the hoods before they were removed from the cell. As a result, the overall size of the set of covers is less important than the space in which this assembly must be replaced, which facilitates the replacement of the covers.
• the temporary storage device of at least one cover comprises a movable member between an open position allowing the introduction or removal of at least one cover in / from said storage device, and a closed position wherein the one or more covers are held in said storage device.
• the system may further comprise a detection device able to determine the precise position of a hood on a cell before it is grasped by the arm, and able to detect an element close to the location of the cell where a hood must be repositioned. by the arm, to allow proper repositioning said hood.
• a detection device able to determine the precise position of a hood on a cell before it is grasped by the arm, and able to detect an element close to the location of the cell where a hood must be repositioned. by the arm, to allow proper repositioning said hood.
• the detection device may comprise at least one telemetry system, for example a laser range finder.
• the support may comprise at least one part which is movable substantially vertically, in operation, and on which the arm is fixed.
• This moving part - with respect to the unit on which the support is mounted - can typically be the base.
• the arm is for example fixed in the lower part of the support by its second end.
• said mobile part of the support can be raised so that the system, and in particular the arm, does not interfere with the other operations that must be performed on the cell and / or that it does not hit a part of the cell (mounted positive, superstructure, etc.) when the unit needs to move.
• the invention relates to a unit for operating cells of an igneous electrolysis aluminum production plant, the unit comprising: an overhead crane which comprises two transversely extending beams and which is designed to move in a longitudinal direction above the cells; a carriage mounted transversely on the two girders of the traveling crane;
• system support being mounted on the carriage.
• the invention relates to an igneous electrolysis aluminum production plant, comprising:
• a building in which are located several cells, each cell extending in a transverse direction, the cells being arranged next to the others in a longitudinal direction;
• the traveling crane being mounted longitudinally movable on longitudinal rails formed in the vicinity of two transverse end walls of the building.
• the invention relates to a method of intervention on a cell of an aluminum production plant by igneous electrolysis, comprising in this order the steps of:
• step b the arm is released from the covers and can therefore perform other operations.
• the method may further comprise, between steps b) and c), and in this order, the steps of:
• said arm that is to say the arm which performs the operations a) to d) handling of the covers, placing the gripping device in a tool storage device mounted on the support;
• said tool other than the gripping device may be a cleaning tool, such as a brush, the operation performed with said tool then being a cleaning operation of at least one area of the cell.
• Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolytic aluminum production plant comprising a system according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of an electrolysis cell of the installation
• Figure 3 shows, in perspective view, a portion of the cell of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the system according to one embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 5 and 6 are views of a temporary storage device of cell covers belonging to the system of Figure 4, respectively in perspective and in top view, the storage device is empty;
• Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figure 5, the storage device receiving respectively one and three covers;
• FIGS. 9 to 16 illustrate successive steps of the method of intervention on a cell according to the invention by means of the system of FIG. 4.
• FIG. 1 represents a plant 1 for the production of aluminum by electrolysis, and more particularly an electrolysis room of such an installation 1.
• the installation 1 comprises a building 2 in which are located several electrolysis cells 3. Each cell 3 extends in a transverse direction Y, and the cells 3 are arranged next to each other in a longitudinal direction X.
• each cell 3 comprises a vessel 20, a support structure 30 called "superstructure" and a plurality of anodes 40, 40 '.
• the tank 20 comprises a box 21 of steel, an inner lining 22 which is generally formed by blocks of refractory materials, and a cathode assembly which comprises blocks made of carbonaceous material, called “cathode blocks" 23, and metal connecting bars 24 to which are fixed the electrical conductors 45, 46, 47 serving for the routing of the electrolysis current.
• Each anode 40 is provided with a metal rod 41 which is typically attached to the anode 40 via a multipode 42.
• the anodes 40 are removably attached to a movable metal frame 25, called “anode frame” by a removable connector 26.
• the anode frame 25 is carried by the superstructure 30 and fixed to electrical conductors 47, called “positive risers", for the routing of the electrolysis current.
• cells 3 are arranged next to the other, in rows or rows, in the direction X.
• the cells 3 of a row are electrically connected in series by means of connecting conductors 45, 46, 47.
• the cells 3 are arranged so as to clear an aisle of circulation 48 along the installation 1 and an access path 49 between the cells 3.
• Each cell 3 is provided with a rollover system.
• This includes a series of removable covers 33 which are typically metallic, and more typically aluminum alloy.
• the rollover system confines the effluents within the interior of the cell 3 and is connected to means (not shown) for discharging the effluents and directing them to a treatment center.
• the covers 33 are typically inserted in a guide groove 35 arranged along the cell 3 (in the Y direction) and are placed on a flange 31 of the superstructure 30.
• the covers 33 are placed side by side on a cell 3, along the direction Y.
• the covers can be positioned with an angular defect of a few degrees around the Y and X axes.
• the dimensions of a cover 33 can be as follows: width (according to Y) of 685 mm and height of 1535 mm.
• the covers 33 may be substantially flat or curved.
• the covers 33 are held in position under the effect of their own weight, without locking device.
• the weight of a hood 33 may be of the order of 12 kg.
• the covers 33 are generally provided with a handle 34 intended for handling by operators.
• the rod 41 of the anodes 40 typically emerges from the rollover system through openings 32 provided for this purpose in the rollover system.
• the anodes 40 are of precooked carbon material.
• the progressive consumption of the anodes 40 during the electrolytic reduction reactions of the aluminum requires interventions on the cells 3 among which, in particular, the replacement of the spent anodes 40 'by new anodes 40.
• the installation 1 comprises a unit 4 called “service unit” for the operation of the cells 3, that is to say to perform operations on the cells 3 such as anode changes or the filling of the hoppers. power in crushed bath and AlF 3 cells 3.
• the unit 4 may also be used to handle various loads, such as vessel elements, liquid metal ladles or anodes.
• the unit 4 comprises a traveling crane 5 which comprises two beams 6 extending transversely and which is designed to move in the direction Longitudinal X above the cells 3. More precisely, the crane 5 is mounted longitudinally movable on longitudinal rails 7 or raceways which may be formed in the vicinity of two transverse end walls 8 of the building 2.
• the unit 4 further comprises a carriage 9 mounted transversely movable on the two beams 6 of the traveling crane 5.
• the carriage 9 belongs to a service machine 10 which also comprises a service module January 1 equipped with several handling devices and 12.
• the service machine 10 may also include a driver's cab.
• these handling and intervention members 12 include tools, typically a picker, a bucket shovel, an anode gripper (called anode clamp ”) and a hopper with a retractable conduit.
• the breaker serves to break the crust of alumina and solidified bath which generally covers all or part of the anodes 40 of the cell 3;
• the bucket shovel serves to clear the location of the anode 40, after removal of the spent anode, by removing solids (such as pieces of crust and alumina) therein;
• the anode clamp is used to grip and manipulate the anodes 40 by their rod 41, in particular for the removal of spent anodes from a cell 3 and the introduction of new anodes 40 in the cell 3;
• the retractable conduit is used to introduce alumina and / or ground bath in the cell 3, so as to reform a coating layer, after the establishment of a new anode.
• the breaker, the bucket and the anode clamp are typically mounted at the lower end of a guide member, such as a
• the unit 4 comprises a system 50 for carrying out operations related to the operation of the cells 3 of the installation 1, in particular the handling operations of the hoods 33 of the cells 3 and the cleaning of at least an area of cell 3.
• the system 50 comprises a support 51 which is mounted on the unit 4, and more precisely on the carriage 9, to be moved above the cells 3.
• the system 50 further comprises an arm 52 articulated mounted on the support 51.
• the arm 52 comprises a first end 53 free and a second end 54 fixed in the lower part of the support 51. It may be a six-axis anthropomorphic robot.
• the arm 52 may be the single articulated arm mounted on the support 51.
• the support 51 may be designed so that the arm 52 can be moved substantially vertically, in operation. This brings the arm 52 close of a cell 3 when an operation must be performed on the cell 3, and to raise the arm 52 the rest of the time, so that it does not interfere with other interventions, or that the displacement of the unit 4 carrying the system 50 is not hindered by the fact that the arm 52 could hit a part of the cell 3, such as a positive rise 47 or the support structure 30.
• the support 51 comprises a mast telescopic in a substantially vertical direction Z.
• the system 50 further comprises a temporary storage device 55 of at least one cover 33, mounted on the support 51 and, in the embodiment shown, a storage device 56 of tools also mounted on the support 51.
• the support 51 comprises a base 57 on which are fixedly mounted: the arm 52, the temporary storage device 55 of at least one hood, and the storage device 56. 'tools. More specifically, the base 57 can be mounted in the lower part of the support 51 and be movable vertically relative to the upper portion of the support 51, this vertical movement being actuated by a jack 58. In addition, the base 57 may comprise a wing 65 carrying the storage device 55 and a wing 66 carrying the tool storage device 56.
• a gripping device 60 of at least one cover 33 comprising for example a body provided with branches carrying gripping members 59 such as suction cups, for example activated by a pneumatic system;
• a cleaning tool 63 such as a brush, a doctor blade or a blowing means.
• the tool storage device 56 is arranged to receive at least one tool 60, 63 provided by the arm 52 and to allow said arm 52 to take one of the tools 60, 63 placed in the storage device 56
• the storage device 56 can receive, for example, a gauging sensor, measuring tools, brushing tools from other parts of the cell (anode frame, anode rods), bath removal tools, etc.
• the first end 53 of the arm 52 may be provided with first coupling means 61, while each of the tools capable of being coupled to the first end 53 of the arm 52 - in particular the gripping device 60 and the cleaning tool 63 - may be provided with second coupling means 62 designed to cooperate, removably, with the first coupling means 61.
• the second coupling means 62 are identical for all of said tools, to create a universal coupling system.
• the coupling means 61, 62 are designed to provide a detachable connection between the first end 53 of the arm 52 and the tools, in particular the gripping device 60 and the cleaning tool 63, and to ensure the automatic connection of the pneumatic energies. and electrical between the arm 52 and the tools.
• the coupling means 61, 62 should preferably have sufficient connections for each of the tools to be connected to the arm 52.
• the coupling means 61, 62 are preferably designed for guarantee the maintenance of tools in case of power failure.
• the function of the tool storage device 56 is to allow the storage of unused tools at a given time. These unused tools are preferably locked on the storage device 56, for example by means of jacks.
• the storage device 56 may comprise several elements 64 integral with the flange 66 connected to the base 57, each of these elements 64 serving as a base on which an unused tool can be placed or locked.
• the temporary storage device 55 of at least one cover is designed to be able to receive at least one cover 33 provided by the arm 52 equipped with the gripping device 60, and to allow said arm 52 equipped with the gripping device 60 to resume at least a cover 33 previously placed in the storage device 55.
• the storage device 55 will now be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
• the storage device 55 comprises a substantially horizontal base 70, a first lateral upright 71 and a second lateral upright 73 that are substantially vertical and fixed relative to the base 70.
• the first and second lateral uprights 71, 73 can be connected by the wing 65 connecting the storage device 55 to the base 57 of the support 51.
• a substantially vertical flap 72 is provided in the vicinity of the second lateral upright 73.
• the flap 72 is movable relative to the second lateral upright 73 between an open position allowing the introduction or removal of at least one hood 33 in / from said storage device 55, and a closed position in which the hood or hoods 33 are held in said storage device 55, in the storage position.
• the storage device 55 is preferably devoid of a front wall, to allow the introduction, by the front, of one or more covers 33, and their removal, by the arm 52. Moreover, the device storage 55 may be devoid of traverse superior: in other words, it is open at the top. In addition, the storage device 55 may be devoid of a solid rear wall, the wing 65 constituting the sole element located at the rear of the storage device 55.
• the flap 72 may be spaced apart or brought closer to the second lateral upright 73, so that one or more covers 33 may be trapped between the second lateral upright 73 and the flap 72, more specifically the free end of the flap 72. In this position storage, the covers 33 are thus maintained between the two amounts 71, 73, by means of the flap 72.
• the storage device 55 comprises an actuator designed to be able to move the movable member - namely the flap 72 - between its open and closed positions.
• this actuating member is for example in the form of at least one jack 75.
• the jack 75 can be linked to a tab 76 integral with the flap 72 and hinged about an axis 77 substantially vertical and fixed relative to the second amount 73.
• a limit switch can also be provided on the cylinder 75.
• first amount 71 - and possibly the second amount 73 and / or the flap 72 - may have a groove 74 substantially vertical and open to the second amount 73 - or more generally the opposite amount - in which is intended to come housing an edge of at least one cover 33.
• the groove or grooves 74 receive an upper and / or lower edge of the cover 33, the terms “lower” and “upper” referring to the position occupied by a cover 33 3.
• this upright 71 may have a V-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 6. This arrangement improves the quality of the positioning and maintenance of the covers 33 in the storage device 55.
• cover 33 When only one cover 33 is in the storage position in the storage device 55, it rests on the base 70 and is held between the two uprights 71, 73, thanks to the shutter 72, as illustrated in FIG. 7, its lateral edges. 36 being substantially horizontal. When several covers 33 (up to three in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8) are in the storage position in the storage device 55, the lower cover 33 rests on the base 70. In addition, the covers 33 are arranged substantially in the same vertical plane and superimposed substantially adjacently along the vertical direction Z.
• the covers 33 when placed on a cell 3, the covers 33 have side edges 36 which are located substantially in a plane (X, Z ), however, in the storage position, as in Figures 7 and 8, the covers 33 have their lateral edges 36 substantially horizontal, that is to say they have been turned 90 ° from the position they occupy when placed on a cell 3.
• the system 50 may comprise means for detecting the presence of at least one cover 33 in the storage device 55.
• these detection means may comprise one or more fingers 78 arranged on the base 70 of the storage device 55, these fingers 78 projecting upwards and can be driven under the weight of one or more covers 33 placed in the storage device 55.
• the temporary storage device 55 of at least one hood 33 is preferably secure, that is to say designed to ensure the maintenance of the hood or 33 even in case of power failure, thus preventing their accidental fall.
• the arm 52 may be equipped with a cable chain 80 (see in particular Figure 9) in which will be installed all the cables and pipes necessary for the operation of the system 50.
• the system 50 includes one or more boxes 79 containing various computer and / or pneumatic control systems, in particular for controlling the locking of the covers 33 in the storage device 55 (by moving the flap 72 towards its closed position and holding in this position) and locking the tools 60, 63 in the tool storage device 56.
• the systems housed in the box 79 may also allow communication with the machine of the service machine 10, for the acquisition of commands and feedback information.
• FIGS. 9 to 16 which illustrate successive steps of a method of intervention on a cell 3 of the installation 1 requiring the removal and then the replacement of covers 33 of the cell 3.
• the covers 33 located in front of the anode 40' used must be removed and then replaced once the new anode 40 fixed.
• the support 51 carried by the unit 4 is moved close to the cell 3 on which the intervention must take place, by means of the traveling crane 5 and the carriage 9. Then the arm 52 is moved downwards, by means of the jack 58 of the telescopic support 51 in the embodiment shown, until the first end 53 of the arm 52 is located close to the hood (s) 33 to be removed. . At this first end 53 is coupled the gripping device 60.
• the tool storage device 56 contains at least the cleaning tool 63 waiting.
• the arm 52 provided with the gripping device 60 then takes at least one cover 33 present on a cell 3, as illustrated in FIG. 10. More specifically, the gripping device 60 can be designed to be able to simultaneously take three covers, or two covers. and a half cover (the half covers can be arranged for example at the transverse ends of the cells 3). Generally, it can be provided from three to four gripping members 59 per cover 33.
• the system may comprise a detection device capable of determining the precise position of a cover 33 on a cell 3 before it is gripped by the arm 52.
• the covers 33 can be positioned with a variable clearance between them and / or with an angular defect of a few degrees around the Y and X axes. The detection of the actual position of the cover 33 ensures excellent positioning of the gripping members 59 on the cover 33 and therefore a safe grip , without risk of falling.
• the precise position of a cover 33 may for example be determined by the detection of the handle 34 of the cover 33 by means of the detection device.
• the arm 52 carrying the covers 33 via the gripping device 60 then places all of these covers 33 in the storage device 55, as illustrated in FIG. 11.
• the covers 33 - here three in number , this being only an example - are rotated by 90 ° with respect to their position on a cell 3, their lateral edges 36 thus being substantially horizontal, then are placed by the arm 52 in the storage device 55 by its open front part.
• the covers 33 are placed in the storage device 55 between the two uprights 71, 73, the flap 72 being in the open position to allow the introduction of the covers 33 (Figure 11).
• the service machine 10 can intervene on the cell 3 to perform various interventions, in particular but not exclusively the change of anode. During these interventions, the hoods 33 are maintained in erased position, and therefore do not constitute an obstacle to these interventions. More generally the arm 52 and the entire system 50 are positioned so as not to hinder these interventions. In practice, the system 50 can be raised (by means of the telescopic support 51 in the embodiment described), and it will be lowered later when it will again be used for performing other operations.
• the arm 52 Since the arm 52 does not have to hold the covers 33, it can be used to perform other operations, generally by means of other tools. So, at first, the arm
• the arm 52 will connect to a tool - other than the gripper 60 - present in the storage device 56 by cooperation between the first coupling means 61 formed at the first end 53 of the arm 52 and the second means of coupling 62 formed on the tool.
• the arm 52 can then perform with this tool an operation related to the operation of the cell 3 but other than the handling of the covers 33.
• this tool is the cleaning tool 63, which is used for a cleaning operation of at least one zone of the cell 3, as illustrated in FIG.
• the guide groove 35 must be cleaned, over the entire length released by the removal of the covers 33, to eliminate all the pieces - namely hardened bath and ground bath debris - which could have fallen during the anode changeover 40.
• the cleaning tool 63 may typically return these pieces to the interior of the the tub 20.
• the arm 52 should preferably be designed to allow cleaning under positive risers 47 left and right without turning. Once the cleaning operation has been completed, the cleaning tool 63 can be returned to the storage device 56, on the corresponding element 64, then the arm 52 can be disconnected from the cleaning tool 63.
• the arm 52 can then be connected to another tool present in the storage device 56 for carrying out another operation.
• the arm 52 can take up the gripping device 60 that it has previously temporarily placed in the storage device 56, by cooperation between the first coupling means 61 formed at the first end.
• the arm 52 thus equipped with the gripping device 60 can then take up one or more covers 33 previously placed in the storage device 55. This operation does not require a device for detecting the precise position of the covers 33 since these remained in the same reference as the arm 52 since their introduction in the storage device 55. It follows a gain in time and reliability.
• the flap 72 of the storage device 55 can be moved to its open position to allow the hoods 33 to be removed from the storage device 55.
• the arm 52 is moved so that it can replace the cover (s) 33 that it carries on the cell 3.
• the system 50 can comprise a detection device able to detect an element close to the location of the cell 3 where the covers 33 must be repositioned by the arm 52.
• This neighboring element may for example be an adjacent cover 33 already in place on the cell 3, or, in the case where the covers to be repositioned are covers located at a transverse end of the cell 3, an end wall of the cell 3.
• the arm 52 is to insert the covers 33 into the guide groove 35 which has been previously cleaned, and to place them in abutment on the rim 31 of the superstructure 30.
• the overall size - according to Y - of the set of covers 33 to be put back in place on the cell 3 is less important than the size of this set of covers 33 before they are removed from the cell 3.
• the location available on the cell 3 to replace the covers 33 is larger than the dimension Y of this set of covers 33. The replacement of the covers 33 on the cell is greatly facilitated.
• the method that has just been described can be performed automatically, the system 50 operating autonomously after a cycle initiation instruction given by the service machine 10 positioned above the cell 3 in question.
• the system according to the invention makes it possible to handle the covers and to carry out the other operations (cleaning, etc.) in the highly congested environment of the electrolysis cells, with the required precision.
• the system Due to its modularity, the system also makes it possible to achieve a considerably reduced cycle time, for example less than 100 s (for taking the covers, cleaning and replacing the covers).
• the system can perform certain operations in masked time, insofar as they do not generate a risk of collision with an element of the service machine. This is the case in particular of the tool change between the gripping device and the cleaning tool, which can be performed while the service machine 10 is acting on the cell 3 to break the crust of the bath, removing a used anode or put back a new anode.

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• 2014
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