US3386908A - Cell for refining aluminum by fusion electrolysis - Google Patents

Cell for refining aluminum by fusion electrolysis Download PDF

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Publication number
US3386908A
US3386908A US414140A US41414064A US3386908A US 3386908 A US3386908 A US 3386908A US 414140 A US414140 A US 414140A US 41414064 A US41414064 A US 41414064A US 3386908 A US3386908 A US 3386908A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cell
cathode
layer
aluminum
cover
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Expired - Lifetime
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US414140A
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English (en)
Inventor
Daurat Andre
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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
    • C25C7/00—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells
    • C25C7/005—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells of cells for the electrolysis of melts
    • 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
    • C25C3/24—Refining

Definitions

  • a cell for the electrolytic refining of aluminum which comprises an enclosure of refractory material having an access opening at the top and a cover dimensioned to span the access opening formed of a first stationary portion which is fixed to the housing and a movable portion which is adapted to be received in fitting relationship in an opening defined by the fixed stationary portion, an anodic sole plate at the bottom of the enclosure having an electrical connection, an anode layer of aluminum alloy to be refined overlying the anodic sole plate layer, a layer of electrolytic liquor overlying the anode layer, a cathode layer of refined metal substantially of frusto-conical shape having the base portion of larger cross-sectional dimension at the bottom in contact with the electrolytic liquor and an upper exposed portion of lesser dimension, and a cathode in contact with the cathode layer having an electrical lead extending through the housing into contact with the cath
  • cells for fusion electrolysis used for refining aluminum electrolytically generally comprise a conductive soleplate incontact with a soluble anode layer of a metal in the form of an 'alloy of themetal to be refined underlying a layer of electrolytic liquor which is disposed between the anode and a cathode in the form of another metallic layer consisting of the refined aluminum.
  • the polarization voltage is only a very small fraction of the total voltage at the terminals of the cell.
  • the electric power absorbed is substantially equal to the heat losses. It is, therefore, desirable to seek to reduce these losses to a minimum so as to decrease the energy consumption per ton of refined metal.
  • This type of cell has a number of disadvantages.
  • Patented June 4, 1968 of the main objections is that the brickwork separating the soleplates tends to deteriorate rapidly because of the seepage therethrough of electrolytic liquor thereby shortening the life of the cell.
  • Another serious objection is that the useful section of the cell is small for equivalent production and therefore calls for an increase in the cost of the cell and the space required to be made available.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional elevational view of a cell embodying the construction heretofore employed for fusion electrolysis;
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional elevational view of a cell embodying the features of this invention for fusion electrolysis in the refining of aluminum;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional elevational view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing a modification in the fusion electrolysis cell.
  • a cell embodying the features of this invention for high yield fusion electrolysis in the refining of aluminum and which is characterized by a long useful life and maximum working area comprises a cell having a cover which at least partially extends over a bath of refractory material; an anode formed of the alloy tobe refined in contact with an anodic soleplate in the bottom of the bath and having at least one current input lead which passes upwardly through the bath; and a cathode formed of the metal which is refined in contact with at least one cathodic electrode having at least one current input lead which passes downwardly through the bath and which is suspended from the upper portion of the masonry.
  • the electrolytic cell further comprises at least one of the additional features, namelythe bath is partially closed at its upper portion by a cover which is integral with the masonry of the bath and which contains an aperture sealed by a movable portion of the cover from which the cathodic electrode is suspended and in which the bath is closed in its upper portion by a cover comprising a stationary part integral with the masonry of the bath and from which the cathodic electrode is suspended and a movable portion through which access can be gained to the interior.
  • FIG. 2 illustration is made of a bath 10 (5%) in FIG. 2) in FIG. 3) of insulating brick separated from the liquor by a lining in the form of a brickwork 11 (51 in FIG. 2) (71 in FIG. 3) of anticorrosive material.
  • the anodic conductive soleplate 12 At the lower end of the space defined by the brickwork 11 is the anodic conductive soleplate 12 (52 in FIG. 2) (72 in FIG. 3) underlying the layer 15 (55 in FIG. 2) (75 in FIG. 3) of the alloy to be refined which in turn underlies the layer 16 (56 in FIG. 2) (76 in FIG. 3) of the electrolytic liquor.
  • the latter is in turn covered by a layer 17 ('57 in FIG. 2) (77 in FIG.
  • the cathodic layer 17 of refined meal communicates at one end with a soleplate 13 which rests on the insulating brickwork 10 and is confined between the anti-corrosive linings 11.
  • the lead 19 extends upwardly through the brickwork 10 into electrical contact with the soleplate 13.
  • the removable cover 14 extends across the upper portion of the cell to minimize heat loss from the bath in the upward direction.
  • the anodic alloy to be refined is supplied to the layer 15 (55 in FIG. 2) (75 in FIG. 3) through insulated pits 20 (60 in FIG. 2) (80 in FIG. 3) arranged in laterally spaced apart relation in the brickwork for good heat insulation, with each pit being provided with a removable lid 21 (61 in FIG. 2) ('81 in FIG. 3) over the inlet.
  • the refined aluminum is removed from the layer 17 by a suction tube operating through the top of the cell, either through an opening provided in the cover 14, which may or may not be provided with a sealing lid, or through the wide opening, when the cover is removed.
  • the alloy 15 may also seep into the brickwork 11 to cause a short-circuit between the anodic alloy 15 and the cathodic soleplate 13 with its lead 19;
  • the working section of the bath defined by the electrolytic liquor 16, is of small cross-section as compared to the total cross-section of the cell thereby to increase the cost of the bath and the amount of space required per unit volume of production;
  • the area of the cover is very large in relation to the useful section of the bath thereby to expose a substantial area to heat loss and the cover of larger dimension is more expensive and clifficult to operate.
  • the cells shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 differ essentially from that of FIG. 1 in that instead of making use of a cathodic soleplate 13, use is made of a suspended electrode 53 in FIG. 2 and 73 in FIG. 3 with the leads 59 and 79 extending through the upper portion of the housing and fixed to some portions thereof to permit complete hooding.
  • a two-part cover in which one part 54 is fixed to form an integral part of the masonry 50 of the bath and which is formed with an access opening at the top of specific dimension.
  • the other part 63 is a movable member in the form of a lid having a lower portion which is dimensioned to be received in fitting relationship within the opening and an upper portion of larger dimension than the opening to extend beyond the edge portions of the fixed portion so as to rest upon the portions of the stationary cover adjacent the opening when the portion of smaller dimension is received within the opening to seal the opening.
  • the cathode electrode 53 is suspended from the stationary portion 54 of the cover and the lead 59, for current input, passes through said cover portion.
  • the cover again comprises a stationary portion 74 fixed to form an integral part of the masonry 70 of the bath and it is also formed with an opening therethrough for gaining access to the interior of the bath.
  • the other portion 83 comprises a movable member similar to that described with reference to the lid 63 of FIG. 2.
  • the cathode electrode 73 is suspended from the movable portion of the cover with the lead 79 extending therethrough.
  • the cathode layer 57 and 77 is formed of a base portion of maximum crossseotion with a portion of frusto-conical shape in an intermediate portion, as shown in FIG. 2, or in an upper end portion, as shown in FIG.
  • a cell for the electrolytic refining of aluminum comprising an enclosure of refractory material having an access opening at the top and a cover dimensioned to span the access opening formed of a first stationary portion fixed to the housing and having an access opening therethrough and a second movable portion adapted to be received in fitting relationship within said opening, an anodic soleplate at the bottom of the enclosure and an electrical lead extending upwardly through the enclosure into contact with the soleplate, an anode layer of aluminum alloy to be refined on the upper surface of the anodic soleplate, a cathode layer formed of the refined metal of greater cross-sectional dimension at the bottom portion and lesser dimension at its upper portion, a cathode in contact with the cathode layer and an electrical lead extending downwardly through the housing into contact with the anode, and a layer of electrolytic liquor in communication between the cathode layer and the anode layer, the cathode being suspended from the upper portion of the enclosure.

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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)
US414140A 1963-12-04 1964-11-27 Cell for refining aluminum by fusion electrolysis Expired - Lifetime US3386908A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR956021A FR1387155A (fr) 1963-12-04 1963-12-04 Cellule d'électrolyse ignée à rendement élevé plus particulièrement destinée au raffinage électrolytique de l'aluminium

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US3386908A true US3386908A (en) 1968-06-04

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US414140A Expired - Lifetime US3386908A (en) 1963-12-04 1964-11-27 Cell for refining aluminum by fusion electrolysis

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US (1) US3386908A (de)
AT (1) AT253798B (de)
BE (1) BE656529A (de)
CH (1) CH418653A (de)
ES (1) ES306703A1 (de)
FR (1) FR1387155A (de)
GB (1) GB1027929A (de)
LU (1) LU47499A1 (de)
NL (1) NL6414030A (de)
SE (1) SE312444B (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4552637A (en) * 1983-03-11 1985-11-12 Swiss Aluminium Ltd. Cell for the refining of aluminium
WO2013108233A2 (fr) 2012-01-20 2013-07-25 Saint-Gobain Centre De Recherches Et D'etudes Europeen Cuve d'électrolyse
US10407786B2 (en) 2015-02-11 2019-09-10 Alcoa Usa Corp. Systems and methods for purifying aluminum

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US859431A (en) * 1906-06-09 1907-07-09 Elmira Electrochemical Company Apparatus for the electrolytic production of chemical compounds.
US2034339A (en) * 1932-11-08 1936-03-17 Cie De Prod Chim Et Electro Me Refining of aluminum
US2245505A (en) * 1938-07-12 1941-06-10 Alais & Froges & Camarque Cie Process for replenishing and correcting the electrolyte in the refining of aluminum

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US859431A (en) * 1906-06-09 1907-07-09 Elmira Electrochemical Company Apparatus for the electrolytic production of chemical compounds.
US2034339A (en) * 1932-11-08 1936-03-17 Cie De Prod Chim Et Electro Me Refining of aluminum
US2245505A (en) * 1938-07-12 1941-06-10 Alais & Froges & Camarque Cie Process for replenishing and correcting the electrolyte in the refining of aluminum

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4552637A (en) * 1983-03-11 1985-11-12 Swiss Aluminium Ltd. Cell for the refining of aluminium
WO2013108233A2 (fr) 2012-01-20 2013-07-25 Saint-Gobain Centre De Recherches Et D'etudes Europeen Cuve d'électrolyse
EP2811052A2 (de) 2012-01-20 2014-12-10 Saint-Gobain Centre De Recherches Et D'etudes Europeen Verfahren in einem Elektrolysebehälter
US9932681B2 (en) 2012-01-20 2018-04-03 Saint-Gobain Centre De Recherches Et D'etudes Europeen Electrolytic cell
US10407786B2 (en) 2015-02-11 2019-09-10 Alcoa Usa Corp. Systems and methods for purifying aluminum
US11001931B2 (en) * 2015-02-11 2021-05-11 Alcoa Usa Corp. Systems and methods for purifying aluminum

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
LU47499A1 (de) 1965-06-03
ES306703A1 (es) 1965-05-01
AT253798B (de) 1967-04-25
FR1387155A (fr) 1965-01-29
SE312444B (de) 1969-07-14
GB1027929A (en) 1966-04-27
CH418653A (fr) 1966-08-15
BE656529A (de) 1965-06-02
NL6414030A (de) 1965-06-07

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