US2593751A - Igneous electrolysis cell - Google Patents

Igneous electrolysis cell Download PDF

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Publication number
US2593751A
US2593751A US27568A US2756848A US2593751A US 2593751 A US2593751 A US 2593751A US 27568 A US27568 A US 27568A US 2756848 A US2756848 A US 2756848A US 2593751 A US2593751 A US 2593751A
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United States
Prior art keywords
carbon
lining
seal
sealing
cast iron
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Expired - Lifetime
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US27568A
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English (en)
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Grolee Jean
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Pechiney SA
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Pechiney SA
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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
    • C25C3/08—Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes

Definitions

  • the lining of the Crucible that contains the electrolytic bath is made of Carbon;v the bottom that constitutes the Cathodic Vportion of the electrolytic cell is often built of carbon blocks that have been subjected to a preliminary baking treatment, and the voltage drop resulting from the flow of the electrolytic current through the bottom depends essentially upon the electric connection between these blocks and the current conveying metallic bars, which are generally made of steel or copper.
  • Thiselectric connection is generally ensured by cutting in the block of agglomerated carbon a groove .the transverse dimensions of which are greater than those of the current leading bar. This bar is then inserted in the groove and the space left between the bar and the agglomerated Carbon mass is packed with a hotpaste constituted by a mixture of Carbon dust and tar pitch or any other carbon containing product, such as molasses (sugar paste). ⁇ When the electrolytic cell is started into operation, this paste is baked and thus ensures the electric connection between the agglomerated carbon block and the current leading metal bar.
  • the object of the present invention is to proa vide a sealing of the current leading metal bars which avoids these drawbacks.
  • the sealing of the current leading metal bars in the agglomerated carbon blocks is ensured by means of a Cast metal having a melting temperature above l000 C. and which, after solidification, is substantially free from components susceptible of undergoing a transformation, with increase of volume, when kept for a long time at a temperature of 900 C.
  • a cast iron having the following composition gives good results when used for the sealing of the current leading metal bars: Y
  • Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical section of the electrolytic cell
  • Fig. 2 is a corresponding transverse vertical section
  • FIGS 3, 4 and 5 are views showing different ways of sealing the current leading bars according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing three carbon blocks ready to be sealed with the same metal bar for current feed;
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view illustrating the sealing of a current leading metal bar in a carbon block of elongated shape
  • Fig. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a method of pouring the sealing cast iron in three steps to obtain a sealing as shown by Fig. 4;
  • reference numeral l designates the metallic casing in which is built the electrolytic cell lining.
  • the casing I is insulated from the carbon lining 3, 4 and current leading metal bars by means'of refractory bricks 2.
  • the carbon blocks 4, which constitute the lining of the bottom of the electrolytic cell, are connected with current leading metal bars 5 disposed in grooves 1, cut in the carbon blocks, by means of the cast iron portions 6.
  • the current leading metal bar is disposed in the groove cut in the carbon block and liquid cast iron is poured in the spaces between said metal bar and the carbon block. But when the block in question is in position at the bottom of the crucible, solidified cast iron does not project from the under horizontal face of the carbon block.
  • .cast iron E projecting from the sealing groove 1, forms a coating 6a, from 1 to 2 cms. thick, along the lower horizontal face of carbon block 4.
  • This gain is further increased by making use of a form of seal such as shown by Figs. 4 and 5, according to which the cast iron sealing portion 6 not only lls groove 'I and covers the lower horizontal face of the block at Ba, but also surrounds said block on the four vertical faces thereof, at 6b, up to a height which may reach l0 cms.
  • the voltage drop can thus be reduced to 0.14 or 0.15 volt.
  • the current leading metal bars 5 are generally made of soft Martin steel, of forging quality, having a breaking strength of 45 kgs. and an elongation of 30 per cent.
  • the admissible sag on one of the kfaces should not exceed 1.5 mm. per meter, but this condition is not necessary for the obtainment of a good seal in itself.
  • Preheating of the carbon blocks is not an absolutely necessary condition and skilled workmen can make a successful job when sealing the carbon blocks in the cold state provided that they are quite free from moisture. However, this heating step is advantageous.
  • the melting point of the particular cast iron above defined is about 1150 C.
  • the temperature of the molten metal ranges from 1200 to 1300" C. This makes it possible to obtain the fluidity necessary for a good sealing operation.
  • liquid cast iron is to be thoroughly cleaned and, indeed several times before pouring.
  • Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, an arrangement which, is advantageous to use for the sealing of a metallic vbar in three carbon blocks of 500-600 mm. length.
  • the carbon blocks 4, placed on the ground, with the sealing groove 'I turned upwardly, are alined, if necessary, by means of any suitable means, so as to permit the insertion of bar in position.
  • the ends of this bar are placed on two supports 8 which hold it at a level such that it extends through all the grooves T of the blocks.
  • An important requirement is that the unsealed ends of bar 5 must be capable of expanding freely. Consequently, it is preferable not to fix them by means of bolts, ⁇ wedges or keys.
  • the pouring operation is performed with the precautions above stated concerning temperatures and cleaning of the metal. If there are three carbon blocks'on the same bar 5, the three blocks 4 are simultaneously sealed by bringing into action three separate teams of workmen.
  • a last precaution consists in avoiding transportation and displacements of the assembly formed by the carbon blocks and bars sealed therein before suitable cooling thereof. It is necessary to wait for several hours after the sealing operation, and preferably, till the next day.
  • rst portion Il of the seal groove 1 is filled up to the level of the horizontal face of the block, this being done at a suitable place, as explained with reference to Fig. 6.
  • the second portion I2 of the seal is poured on the spot, that is to say in the cell, the refractory lining under the carbon blocks acting as a mould.
  • the third portion I3 is of course formed on the spot.
  • Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of a cathode assembly for an aluminurn furnace, with a seal of the kind disclosed by Fig. 4.
  • 3 of the block weld together in a sufficient manner at the place of the joints.
  • the method according to the present inven- 'tion has. made it possible to seal safely long blocks on horizontal bars, and of constructingpot bottoms having the same characteristics of long life and 10W voltage drop as those obtained with shorter blocks.
  • Carbon block 4 turned upside down so as to have its groove 1 turned-upwardly, is fitted with bar 5 fixed in proper position with respect to the groove.
  • the space into which cast iron will be poured is divided into three portions, through suitable means.
  • Each of the sections of the seal is poured separately, with a time interval of several hours, so that the amount of heat supplied by the liquid cast iron that is poured is fed in three separate steps, a circumstance which is advantageous to ensure a good resistance of the carbon block and to permit expansion of the bar.
  • the profile of the lateral facesof the groove 1 provided in the carbon block is advantageous to have the profile of the lateral facesof the groove 1 provided in the carbon block as even as possible, and these faces should be relatively smooth so as not to oppose an undue resistance to the slight movement of displacement of solidied metal masses or in course of solidication.
  • the agglomerated carbon blocks are perfectly sound and without cracks after the current leading metal bars have been sealed by means of molten metal. I then obtain a voltage drop in the lower portion of the retort which. when the cell is new, averages 0.25 volt for a current density in the carbon blocks of about 0.5 ampere per square centimeter. This portion of the retort may last for four and even five years, the voltage drop then becoming 0.35 and at most 0.40 volt.
  • the ow of current through the bottom of an electrolytic cell made as described in the preceding paragraph causes a voltage drop ranging from 0.15 to 0.25 volt.
  • the heat given oi by the joule effect is not suiiicient to keep the pot bottom at its working temperature in the absence of heat insulating means. It is therefore necessary to provide, under the bottom and on the lining of the sides of the electrolytic cell, layers of refractory and heat insulating bricks, the thickness of which depends upon the Voltage drop in the bottom of the pot.
  • An igneous electrolytic cell comprising: an inner lining for the bottom portion thereof formed of baked carbonaceous material, current conducting metal bars positioned in said lining, and a cast seal of low electrical resistance between said lining and said bars consisting of cast iron containing approximately 3% carbon, 2.5 to 3% silicon, 1 to 1.5% phosphorous, less than 0.5% manganese, less than 0.05% sulfur, and the remainder iron, the material of said seal being characterized in having a melting point in excess of 1000 C., and in being substantially free, fol lowing solidication, of constituents susceptible of undergoing transformation with increase in volume when subjected to temperatures in the range of 900 C. for prolonged periods of time, whereby the production of destructive stresses in the lining during the formation of the seal and during the operation of the cell is avoided.
  • An igneous electrolytic cell comprising: an inner lining for the bottom portion thereof formed of baked carbonaceous material, current conducting metal bars positioned in said lining, a cast seal of low electrical resistance between said lining and said bars consisting of cast iron containing approximately 3% carbon, 2.5 to 3% silicon, 1 to 1.5% phosphorus, less than 0.5% manganese, less than 0.05% sulfur, and the remainder iron; the material of said seal being characterized in having a melting point in excess of 1000 C., and in being substantially free, following solidiflcation, of constituents susceptible of undergoing transformation with increase in volume when subjected to temperatures in the range of 900 C.
  • a housing for said cell the lower horizontal surface of said lining being spaced from the adjacent portion of the housing and the material of the seal projecting below the lower horizontal surface of the carbonaceous lining and forming integral lateral flanges in close contact with the lower surface of the lining, whereby said flanges are tightly pressed against said lining upon solidication of the seal; said lining being formed of spaced blocks and the said flanges extend both over the lower surface of the blocks and the vertical sides thereof.

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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)
US27568A 1947-09-05 1948-05-17 Igneous electrolysis cell Expired - Lifetime US2593751A (en)

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FR953361T 1947-09-05

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US (1) US2593751A (en(2012))
BE (1) BE484041A (en(2012))
CH (1) CH280566A (en(2012))
DE (1) DE812211C (en(2012))
FR (1) FR953361A (en(2012))
GB (1) GB663763A (en(2012))
NL (1) NL142156B (en(2012))

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2743495A (en) * 1951-05-07 1956-05-01 Nat Supply Co Method of making a composite cutter
US2745437A (en) * 1951-09-12 1956-05-15 Norton Co Reinforced ceramic body of revolution
US2824057A (en) * 1950-08-12 1958-02-18 Aluminum Co Of America Electrolytic reduction cell for producing aluminum
US2846388A (en) * 1955-04-30 1958-08-05 Pechiney Prod Chimiques Sa Construction of the lower part of the crucible of igneous electrolysis cells
US2883708A (en) * 1955-03-09 1959-04-28 Elektrokemisk As Manufacture of carbon blocks for use as electrodes
US2909744A (en) * 1956-10-22 1959-10-20 Stxtham Instr Inc Electrical accelerometer
US3028324A (en) * 1957-05-01 1962-04-03 British Aluminium Co Ltd Producing or refining aluminum
US3110660A (en) * 1960-11-28 1963-11-12 Reynolds Metals Co Cathode structure for electrolytic reduction cell
US3156639A (en) * 1961-08-17 1964-11-10 Reynolds Metals Co Electrode
US3369986A (en) * 1963-10-23 1968-02-20 Union Carbide Corp Cathode connection for a reduction cell
WO1984004547A1 (fr) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-22 Pechiney Aluminium Barre cathodique comportant une semelle metallique, pour cuves d'electrolyse hall-heroult
FR2546184A1 (fr) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-23 Pechiney Aluminium Barre cathodique comportant une semelle metallique pour cuves d'electrolyse hall-heroult
US20050218006A1 (en) * 2004-04-02 2005-10-06 Delphine Bonnafous Cathode element for use in an electrolytic cell intended for production of aluminium
RU2270279C1 (ru) * 2004-07-09 2006-02-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Соликамский магниевый завод" Электролизер для получения магния и хлора
WO2014003571A1 (en) * 2012-06-25 2014-01-03 Norsk Hydro Asa Electrode and a method for making same
WO2016079605A1 (en) * 2014-11-18 2016-05-26 Kan-Nak S.A. Cathode current collector for a hall-heroult cell

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2536901A (en) * 2015-03-30 2016-10-05 Dubai Aluminium Pjsc Cathode block for electrolytic cell suitable for the Hall-Héroult process

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8658A (en) * 1852-01-13 Improvement in apparatus for attaching pieces of metal to each other by casting
US119682A (en) * 1871-10-03 Improvement in the manufacture of soft-iron and steel castings
US450105A (en) * 1891-04-07 Carbon electrode for electric batteries
US1279192A (en) * 1916-07-21 1918-09-17 Bleach Process Company Electrode.
US1701656A (en) * 1926-07-19 1929-02-12 Western Electric Co Method of mounting dies
US2353444A (en) * 1939-08-10 1944-07-11 Conradty Ottmar Connection of carbon bodies
US2378142A (en) * 1943-08-23 1945-06-12 Pour I Ind De I Aluminum Sa Method for making furnaces for the electrolytic production of aluminum
US2388123A (en) * 1939-03-22 1945-10-30 Conradty Ottmar Carbon brake body and metal holder unit
US2390805A (en) * 1943-03-10 1945-12-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Method of making metallic articles

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8658A (en) * 1852-01-13 Improvement in apparatus for attaching pieces of metal to each other by casting
US119682A (en) * 1871-10-03 Improvement in the manufacture of soft-iron and steel castings
US450105A (en) * 1891-04-07 Carbon electrode for electric batteries
US1279192A (en) * 1916-07-21 1918-09-17 Bleach Process Company Electrode.
US1701656A (en) * 1926-07-19 1929-02-12 Western Electric Co Method of mounting dies
US2388123A (en) * 1939-03-22 1945-10-30 Conradty Ottmar Carbon brake body and metal holder unit
US2353444A (en) * 1939-08-10 1944-07-11 Conradty Ottmar Connection of carbon bodies
US2390805A (en) * 1943-03-10 1945-12-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Method of making metallic articles
US2378142A (en) * 1943-08-23 1945-06-12 Pour I Ind De I Aluminum Sa Method for making furnaces for the electrolytic production of aluminum

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2824057A (en) * 1950-08-12 1958-02-18 Aluminum Co Of America Electrolytic reduction cell for producing aluminum
US2743495A (en) * 1951-05-07 1956-05-01 Nat Supply Co Method of making a composite cutter
US2745437A (en) * 1951-09-12 1956-05-15 Norton Co Reinforced ceramic body of revolution
US2883708A (en) * 1955-03-09 1959-04-28 Elektrokemisk As Manufacture of carbon blocks for use as electrodes
US2846388A (en) * 1955-04-30 1958-08-05 Pechiney Prod Chimiques Sa Construction of the lower part of the crucible of igneous electrolysis cells
US2909744A (en) * 1956-10-22 1959-10-20 Stxtham Instr Inc Electrical accelerometer
US3028324A (en) * 1957-05-01 1962-04-03 British Aluminium Co Ltd Producing or refining aluminum
US3110660A (en) * 1960-11-28 1963-11-12 Reynolds Metals Co Cathode structure for electrolytic reduction cell
US3156639A (en) * 1961-08-17 1964-11-10 Reynolds Metals Co Electrode
US3369986A (en) * 1963-10-23 1968-02-20 Union Carbide Corp Cathode connection for a reduction cell
WO1984004547A1 (fr) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-22 Pechiney Aluminium Barre cathodique comportant une semelle metallique, pour cuves d'electrolyse hall-heroult
FR2546184A1 (fr) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-23 Pechiney Aluminium Barre cathodique comportant une semelle metallique pour cuves d'electrolyse hall-heroult
FR2560613A2 (fr) * 1983-05-16 1985-09-06 Pechiney Aluminium Perfectionnement aux barres cathodiques comportant une semelle metallique, pour cuves d'electrolyse hall-heroult
US4647356A (en) * 1983-05-16 1987-03-03 Aluminium Pechiney Cathode rod comprising a metal sole, for hall-heroult electrolysis cells
AU569524B2 (en) * 1983-05-16 1988-02-04 Aluminium Pechiney A cathode rod comprising a metal sole for hall-heroult electrolysis cells
US20050218006A1 (en) * 2004-04-02 2005-10-06 Delphine Bonnafous Cathode element for use in an electrolytic cell intended for production of aluminium
US7618519B2 (en) 2004-04-02 2009-11-17 Aluminum Pechiney Cathode element for use in an electrolytic cell intended for production of aluminum
RU2270279C1 (ru) * 2004-07-09 2006-02-20 Открытое акционерное общество "Соликамский магниевый завод" Электролизер для получения магния и хлора
WO2014003571A1 (en) * 2012-06-25 2014-01-03 Norsk Hydro Asa Electrode and a method for making same
WO2016079605A1 (en) * 2014-11-18 2016-05-26 Kan-Nak S.A. Cathode current collector for a hall-heroult cell
CN107208289A (zh) * 2014-11-18 2017-09-26 诺瓦拉姆股份有限公司 用于hall‑heroult单元的阴极电流收集器
EA036082B1 (ru) * 2014-11-18 2020-09-23 Новалум Са Катодный токовый коллектор для электролизера холла-эру
EP4276226A3 (en) * 2014-11-18 2024-01-03 Novalum SA Cathode current collector for a hall-heroult cell

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB663763A (en) 1951-12-27
DE812211C (de) 1951-08-27
BE484041A (en(2012))
NL142156B (nl)
CH280566A (fr) 1952-01-31
FR953361A (fr) 1949-12-05

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