US20040231979A1 - Alloy-based anode structures for aluminium production - Google Patents

Alloy-based anode structures for aluminium production Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20040231979A1
US20040231979A1 US10/479,312 US47931204A US2004231979A1 US 20040231979 A1 US20040231979 A1 US 20040231979A1 US 47931204 A US47931204 A US 47931204A US 2004231979 A1 US2004231979 A1 US 2004231979A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
anode
members
metal
electrolyte
electrochemically active
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/479,312
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Vittorio De Nora
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.)
UNIVERSITE DE LAUSANNE/BRA
Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne EPFL
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL) - C/O SERVICE DES RELATIONS INDUSTRIELLES (SRI), UNIVERSITE DE LAUSANNE/BRA reassignment ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL) - C/O SERVICE DES RELATIONS INDUSTRIELLES (SRI) ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MAGISTRETTI, PIERRE, MARQUET, PIERRE, CUCHE, ETIENNE, DEPEURSINGE, CHRISTIAN
Publication of US20040231979A1 publication Critical patent/US20040231979A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25CPROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C3/00Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts
    • C25C3/06Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
    • C25C3/08Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
    • C25C3/12Anodes

Definitions

  • the inert structural metal is nickel and/or cobalt.
  • the active diffusable metal may be iron, the electrochemically active bottom surface being iron oxide-based.
  • the inert structural metal/active diffusable metal atomic ratio can be up to or even above 1, in particular from 1 to 4.
  • the metal alloy of the bottom part comprises the inert structural metal and the active diffusable metal in a total amount of at least 65 weight %, in particular at least 80 weight %, preferably at least 90 weight % of the alloy.
  • the metal alloy of the bottom part further comprises at least one metal selected from chromium, copper, silicon, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, scandium, yttrium, molybdenum, manganese, niobium, cerium and ytterbium in a total amount of up to 10 weight % of the alloy.
  • the diffusion rate of the diffusable metal at the operating conditions can be adjusted by an appropriate addition of one or more additives to the alloy of the anode bottom part as disclosed in PCT/IB02/01241 (Nguyen/de Nora).
  • the height of the anode member is usually of the same order as its width, for instance from half to three times, in particular from equal to twice, the width.
  • the first and second faces of the tapered top part may have an average slope in the range of 30 and 75 deg, in particular 45 to 60 deg, to the horizontal.
  • FIG. 8 shows a plan view of half of an assembly of several electrolyte guide members like the one shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 1 a and 1 b schematically show an anode 10 for the electrowinning of aluminium according to the invention.
  • Each anode member 15 has two flats 15 c at the appropriate location in the tapered top part 15 b for securing the cross-members 13 thereon.
  • the flat 15 c is indicated in FIG. 1 a
  • each connecting member 13 may be perpendicular to the anode members 15 in a parallel configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 a & 1 b .
  • the connecting cross-members 13 may be in an X configuration in which each connecting member 13 extends from one corner to the opposite corner of a rectangular or square anode structure, a vertical current feeder 11 being connected to the intersection of the connecting members 13 .
  • FIGS. 2 a and 2 b in which the same reference numerals designate the same elements, schematically show a variation of the anode 10 shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.
  • FIG. 3 shows an aluminium electrowinning cell according to the invention having a series of anodes 10 which are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , immersed in an electrolyte 30 .
  • the anodes 10 face a cathode cell bottom 20 connected to a negative busbar by current conductor bars 21 .
  • the cathode cell bottom 20 is made of conductive material such as graphite or other carbonaceous material coated with an aluminium-wettable refractory cathodic coating 22 on which aluminium 35 is produced and from which it drains or on which it forms a shallow pool, a deep pool or a stabilised pool.
  • the molten produced aluminium 35 is spaced apart from the facing anodes 10 by an inter-electrode gap.
  • the core of the inactive anode components 11 ′, 11 ′′, 11 ′′′, 12 , 13 is preferably highly conductive and can be made of copper protected with successive layers of nickel, chromium, nickel, copper and optionally a further layer of nickel.
  • the cell also comprises sidewalls 25 of carbonaceous or other material.
  • the sidewalls 25 are coated/impregnated above the surface of the electrolyte 30 with a boron or a phosphate protective coating/impregnation 26 as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,278 (Manganiello/Duruz/Bell ⁇ ).
  • the cell may be operated with a conventional frozen electrolyte ledge covering and protecting the sidewalls 25 .
  • the oxygen evolved from the active surfaces 16 escapes through the inter-member gaps 17 and is deflected by the upwardly converging surfaces 7 of baffles 5 .
  • the oxygen escapes from the uppermost ends of the upwardly converging surfaces 7 enhancing dissolution of the alumina fed over the downwardly converging surfaces 6 .
  • each baffle 5 is located just above mid-height between the surface of the electrolyte 30 and the transverse connecting members 13 .
  • an electrolyte circulation 31 is generated by the escape of gas released from the active surfaces 16 of the anode members 15 between the inter-member gaps 17 and which is deflected by the upward converging surfaces 7 of the baffles 5 confining the gas and the electrolyte flow between their uppermost edges. From the uppermost edges of the baffles 5 , the anodically evolved gas escapes towards the surface of the electrolyte 30 , whereas the electrolyte circulation 31 flows down through the downward converging surfaces 6 , through the inter-member gaps and around edges of the metallic anode structure 12 , 13 , 15 to compensate the depression created by the anodically released gas below the active surfaces 17 of the anode members 15 .
  • the electrolyte circulation 31 draws down into the inter-electrode gap dissolving alumina particles 32 which are fed above the downward converging surfaces 6 .
  • FIG. 6 shows a variation of the anode members baffles shown in FIG. 5, wherein the anode members 15 have a rounded tapered upper part 15 b with an elliptic cross-section and the baffles 5 have their parallel vertical sections 4 located above their converging surfaces 6 , 7 .
  • the innermost circular anode member 15 partly merges with the current feeder 11 , with ducts 18 extending between the innermost circular anode member 15 and the current feeder 11 to permit the escape of oxygen produced underneath the central current feeder 11 .
  • FIGS. 11 to 14 in which the same reference numerals designate the same elements, show anodes 10 according to the invention having anode members 15 , 15 ′ which are asymmetric in vertical cross-section.
  • the anode members 15 , 15 ′ are arranged in pairs with their tapered upper parts 15 b upwardly converging.
  • FIGS. 11 and 13 faces 15 d ′, 15 d ′′ are planar and inclined, whereas in FIG. 12 these faces 15 e ′, 15 e ′′ are convex. This applies also to the second pair of anode members 15 starting from the left of FIG. 14.
  • the remaining anode members 15 shown in FIG. 14 have one planar face 15 d ′ and one convex face 15 e ′′.
  • each anode member 15 ′ is joined to opposite bottom ends of the tapered top part of the anode member 15 ′.

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)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Prevention Of Electric Corrosion (AREA)
US10/479,312 2001-07-13 2002-07-09 Alloy-based anode structures for aluminium production Abandoned US20040231979A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
WOPCT/IB01/01275 2001-07-13
IB0101275 2001-07-13
PCT/IB2002/002732 WO2003006716A2 (fr) 2001-07-13 2002-07-09 Structures d'anodes a base d'alliage pour la production d'aluminium

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20040231979A1 true US20040231979A1 (en) 2004-11-25

Family

ID=11004133

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/479,312 Abandoned US20040231979A1 (en) 2001-07-13 2002-07-09 Alloy-based anode structures for aluminium production

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US20040231979A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1448810B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE382722T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2002321684A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2450071A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60224436D1 (fr)
NO (1) NO20040143L (fr)
WO (1) WO2003006716A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9222183B2 (en) * 2012-08-01 2015-12-29 Alcoa Inc. Inert electrodes with low voltage drop and methods of making the same

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE527398T1 (de) 2003-08-14 2011-10-15 Rio Tinto Alcan Int Ltd Zelle zur elektrogewinnung von metallen mit elektrolytreiniger
AU2005250240B2 (en) * 2004-06-03 2011-06-30 Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited High stability flow-through non-carbon anodes for aluminium electrowinning
WO2010127401A1 (fr) * 2009-05-07 2010-11-11 Aluminium Smelter Developments Pty Ltd Système de contact à coincement
CN101580949B (zh) * 2009-06-24 2010-08-25 中国铝业股份有限公司 一种提高铝电解槽稳定性的方法
CN102140652B (zh) * 2011-03-07 2012-09-19 陈虎政 一种新型铝电解用阳极及其生产方法
RU2698162C2 (ru) * 2017-03-01 2019-08-22 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Объединенная Компания РУСАЛ Инженерно-технологический центр" Перфорированный металлический инертный анод для получения алюминия электролизом расплава
CN108977851B (zh) * 2018-08-01 2020-05-05 新疆众和股份有限公司 一种电解铝用阳极钢爪

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6540887B2 (en) * 1999-01-08 2003-04-01 Moltech Invent Sa Aluminum electrowinning cells with oxygen-evolving anodes

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3008116A1 (de) * 1980-03-03 1981-09-17 Conradty GmbH & Co Metallelektroden KG, 8505 Röthenbach Gasentwickelnde metallelektrode fuer elektrochemische prozesse
DE3345530A1 (de) * 1983-07-13 1985-06-27 Basf Ag, 6700 Ludwigshafen Gasentwickelnde metallelektrode fuer elektrolysezellen
ES2234697T3 (es) * 1999-12-09 2005-07-01 Moltech Invent S.A. Anodos de base metalica para celdas de extraccion electrolitica.

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6540887B2 (en) * 1999-01-08 2003-04-01 Moltech Invent Sa Aluminum electrowinning cells with oxygen-evolving anodes

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9222183B2 (en) * 2012-08-01 2015-12-29 Alcoa Inc. Inert electrodes with low voltage drop and methods of making the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2450071A1 (fr) 2003-01-23
NO20040143L (no) 2004-01-13
EP1448810A2 (fr) 2004-08-25
WO2003006716A3 (fr) 2004-06-03
ATE382722T1 (de) 2008-01-15
AU2002321684A1 (en) 2003-01-29
DE60224436D1 (de) 2008-02-14
WO2003006716A2 (fr) 2003-01-23
EP1448810B1 (fr) 2008-01-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6638412B2 (en) Prevention of dissolution of metal-based aluminium production anodes
US6540887B2 (en) Aluminum electrowinning cells with oxygen-evolving anodes
EP1448810B1 (fr) Structures d'anodes a base d'alliage pour la production d'aluminium
AU2005250240B2 (en) High stability flow-through non-carbon anodes for aluminium electrowinning
AU2002321778B9 (en) Aluminium electrowinning cells with inclined cathodes
EP1147245B1 (fr) Cellule d'electrolyse a alimentation en alumine amelioree
US20080041729A1 (en) Aluminium Electrowinning With Enhanced Electrolyte Circulation
US7959772B2 (en) Aluminium electrowinning cells with sloping foraminate oxygen-evolving anodes
AU2002324302A1 (en) Aluminium electrowinning cells with sloping foraminate oxygen-evolving anodes
WO2006048790A2 (fr) Extraction electrolytique d'aluminium avec circulation d'electrolyte amelioree

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL) -

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARQUET, PIERRE;CUCHE, ETIENNE;DEPEURSINGE, CHRISTIAN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016588/0151;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040601 TO 20040602

Owner name: UNIVERSITE DE LAUSANNE/BRA, SWITZERLAND

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MARQUET, PIERRE;CUCHE, ETIENNE;DEPEURSINGE, CHRISTIAN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:016588/0151;SIGNING DATES FROM 20040601 TO 20040602

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION