GB724371A - Improvements relating to contact arrangements for the anodes of electrolytic furnaces for aluminium production - Google Patents

Abstract

724,371. Furnace electrodes. ELEKTROKEMISK AKTIESELSKAP. Aug 12, 1953 [Aug. 13, 1952], No. 22285/53. Class 39 (3). An electrolytic furnace for the production of aluminium has a continuous self-baking electrode supplied with current by vertical contact rods 15a, 15b inserted into the top 4 of the unbaked carbonaceous anode, the rods being arranged in at least four rows and supported and supplied with current by an assembly of longitudinal supply conductors 9 which all extend between the inner two rows of contact rods so as to give ready access to the rods from the sides of the furnace. The aluminium bus bars 9 are also extending between the inner rows of contact rods and adjustably suspended by spindles 10 with jacks 11 on the furnace frame 7. The contact rods in the row nearest the assembly of supply conductors on each side of it may be directly supported by the assembly, while the outer rows of contact rods are supplied with current and supported by lateral arms projecting transversely from the assembly. The bus bars 9 have bent out parts 12 forming lateral arms with outer tips 13 bent to provide wide contact through brackets 18 with vertical aluminium strips 17 carrying at their lower ends metal cushions 16 bolted or welded to the top ends of the vertical contact rods 15a, 15b. The brackets 18 are also clamped to supporting arms 14 projecting from the iron frame 8, which takes the weight of the electrode. The strips 17 of the inner rows of contact rods are preferably clamped directly to the frame 8. The bus bars 9 are arranged in two groups one above the other within the frame 8 and are spaced by current' supply conductors 19. The bars 9 may be supplied with current at both ends and may be interconnected at intervals by metal spacing blocks assisting even distribution of current. Compensating bus bars may extend continuously over each group of bus bars. Two bent parts 13 from the bus bars may be attached to each contact rod. The permanent iron casing 5 of the electrode is supported by rods 6 from the furnace frame 7. Specification 526,696 is referred to.