US3404081A - Electrolytic reduction cell having detachably supported electrodes - Google Patents

Electrolytic reduction cell having detachably supported electrodes Download PDF

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Publication number
US3404081A
US3404081A US478162A US47816265A US3404081A US 3404081 A US3404081 A US 3404081A US 478162 A US478162 A US 478162A US 47816265 A US47816265 A US 47816265A US 3404081 A US3404081 A US 3404081A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
anode
connection plate
electrical connection
cavity
bar
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US478162A
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English (en)
Inventor
Errol W Cummings
John R Peterson
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.)
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
Original Assignee
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
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 Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp filed Critical Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp
Priority to US478162A priority Critical patent/US3404081A/en
Priority to NO164130A priority patent/NO118163B/no
Priority to FR71900A priority patent/FR1498504A/fr
Priority to DE19661533451 priority patent/DE1533451A1/de
Priority to GB35271/66A priority patent/GB1147392A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3404081A publication Critical patent/US3404081A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • C25C3/12—Anodes
    • C25C3/125—Anodes based on carbon
    • 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
    • C25C3/12—Anodes
    • 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
    • C25C3/16—Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars

Definitions

  • a plurality af .anodes are individually suspended from metal anode rods or conductor bars, for example of copper or aluminum, which in turn are suitably atlixed to supporting conductors or anode bus bars which are positioned horizontally Iabove the cavity of the electrolytic cell.
  • metal anode rods or conductor bars for example of copper or aluminum
  • supporting conductors or anode bus bars which are positioned horizontally Iabove the cavity of the electrolytic cell.
  • the lower portions of the anodes are consumed or burned olf and the anodes must be lowered in order to have the lower surface thereof in the proper position in the electrolyte. Accordingly, a suitable jacking mechanism must be provided for lowering and raising the supporting conductors.
  • anodes In order to avoid the necessity of removing and replacing all of the anodes at once, they are staggered in their vertical position such that only one or two require replacing at a given time. In view of such staggering, it is necessary, when the supporting conductors have reached their lowest position, to be able to maintain the anodes in a xed positon relative to the electrolyte while the supporting conductors are raised to their highest position. After the supporting conductors are raised to their highest position, the anodes may be lowered further by lowering the supporting conductors. Accordingly, suitable structural members or auxiliary anodes buses are provided above the parallel to the supporting conductors.
  • the metal anode abrs are of sufficient length such that the ends of the bars extend to a position above the structural members when the electrode is at its lowest position.
  • the bars may be affixed to the structural members to maintain them in position. 'I'he bars may then be disengaged from the supporting conductors and the supporting conductors moved to the uppermost position.
  • the bars may be again aixed to the supporting conductors and disengaged from the structural members. Lowering of the bars and electrodes may then be resumed by lowering the 'supporting con-ductors.
  • an anode When an anode has been consumed to a point where it needs to be replaced, the replacement is done with the aid of a suitable lifting device such as a crane.
  • a suitable lifting device such as a crane.
  • an opening is generally provided in the upper end of the metal conductor bars for engagement by a hook of the crane. Accordingly, the metal conductor bars must be sufliciently long to extend to the structural members and Ialso extend somewhat beyond to make possible engaging the crane hook in the opening.
  • Adjustment requires slacking olf the clamp to shift the metal conductor either up or down with respect to the anode bus bar and then tightening the clamp again to remake the stationary contact.
  • the instant invention is concerned with providing a novel system wherein each anode of a cell group may be 'vertically adjusted without changing the position of or breaking the electrical connection between other anode assemblies in the cell and the anode bus bar.
  • each anode of a cell group may be 'vertically adjusted without changing the position of or breaking the electrical connection between other anode assemblies in the cell and the anode bus bar.
  • the instant invention is also concerned with providing Ian open path for easy positioning and holding of the anode assembly on the conductor bar just prior to clamping.
  • the anode assembly connect-ion to the anode bus bar may be made without moving the clamping device h-orizontally or removing the clamping device altogether to allow the anode assembly to be positioned on the anode bus;
  • This invention relates to an electrolytic cell comprising a lining which defines a cavity adapted to contain an electrolyte and a prebaked anode disposed within the cavity.
  • a flexible lbus conductor is connected to an anode bus bar and positioned above the cavity in combination with an elongated electrical connection plate attached to the exible bus conductor and positioned above the cavity with the axis of the plate being substantially in a horizontal plane.
  • Suitable slide means are positioned above the cavity and adapted to receive the extremity of the connection plate removed from the anode bus and to be slidably adjustable along a vertical plane.
  • the prebaked anode is attached by suitable means to the lower end of a metal conductor bar, the upper portion of which is adapted to be held against the electrical connection plate in current transmitting contact.
  • suitable means for holding the metal conductor bar and electrical connection plate with vertical pressure in current transmitting contact are provided in the system.
  • FIG. 1 is an end elevational view in cross section, with parts removed for purposes of clarity, of an aluminum reduction cell embodying the principles of this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of one embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a front elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of another embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a side elevational View with parts removed for purposes of clarity of the embodiments shown in FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a front elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of another embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a side elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 8 is a front elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of another embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a side elevational view with parts removed for purposes of clarity of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.
  • an aluminum reduction cell 10 having a carbon lining 12 which defines a cavity 14 adapted to contain a molten aluminum pad 13 and an electrolyte 17 consisting essentially of alumina dissolved in cryolite.
  • Carbon lining 12 is supported by a shell 11 of suitable material, such as steel, a layer of insulation 1S being provided between lining 12 and shell 11.
  • a plurality of prebaked carbon anodes 16 suspended in the electrolyte by means of metal conductor bars 18 by a suitable means.
  • FIG. l wherein anodes 16 are provided with mild steel stubs 19 embedded therein and metal conductor bars 18 are affixed to stubs 19 by bolts 20 and nuts 21.
  • aiiixing bars 18 to anodes 16 may, of course, be used.
  • a recess may be provided in the upper portion of anode 16 substantially larger than the cross section of the conductor bars 18.
  • the lower ends of bars 18 are placed in the recess and molten cast iron is poured into the recess around conductor bars 18 and allowed to solidify.
  • Anode bus bars 22 are fabricated from a suitable metal having high electrical conductivity, e.g., aluminum, as are flexible bus conductors 23 and elongated electrical connection plates 24. From the anodes 16 the current passes through the elec trolyte 17 and molten aluminum pad 13 to lining 12 and out through collector bars 25 embedded in lining 12, exible conductors 42 and cathode bus conductor 43.
  • Suitable slide means 26 are positioned above cavity 14 and are adapted to receive the extremity of connection plate 24 removed from the anode bus 22 and are slidably adjustable along a vertical plane. The slide means are moved by mechanical jacks 27 connected to a suitable source of power 28 such as an air motor. If desired, dust covers 29 may be provided over the screw threads of jacks 27 to protect them from alumina dust.
  • metal conductor bar 18 is adapted to be held against electrical connection plate 24 in current transmitting contact by suitable means such as clamp 30 providing vertical pressure.
  • suitable means such as clamp 30 providing vertical pressure.
  • utilization of a clamp as the holding means to provide vertical pressure will not be necessary as the weight of the metal conductor bar 18 and anode 16 assembly will provide sucient vertical pressure for current transmitting contact between the metal conductor bar 18 and the electrical connection plate 24 to be made.
  • the weight of the metal conductor bar 18 and anode 16 assembly would itself constitute the holding means.
  • metal conductor bar 18 is shown twisted in FIG. l to provide a greater area of metal to be held against electrical connection plate 24 in current transmitting contact with vertical pressure, this is not absolutely necessary.
  • the conductor bar 18 may be designed as shown hereinafter to have sullicient thickness so as not to necessitate twisting in order to provide sufcient current transmitting contact area.
  • suspension system may be seen with greater clarity in FIGS. 2-9 inclusive wherein the same reference numerals have been applied to corresponding parts.
  • slide means 26 comprises a slide plate 31 slidably adjustable along a vertical plane and parallel guide rails 32.
  • the guide rails 32 are attached to the superstructure of the reduction cell (not shown) by suitable means such as Welding.
  • the guide rails 32 may be formed, for example, from structural steel I beams.
  • Each vertical side of slide plate 31 moves within the channel formed by the web and leg members of an I beam.
  • Plate 31 is attached to the bottom of jack 27 mounted on beam 44 by suitable means such as clevis and pin assembly 33.
  • the end of electrical connection plate 24 removed from the anode bus 22 is provided with or split into two horizontally extending legs 34 adapted to be received by plate 31 of slide means 26.
  • Leg supports 35 are attached to plate 31 to support legs 34 in a horizontal direction.
  • the upper portion of metal conductor bar 18 is T-shaped and adapted to be held with an arm 36 of the T against each leg 34 of the electrical connection plate with vertical pressure in current transmitting contact.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • the end of the electrical connection plate 24 removed from the anode bus 22 is provided with or split into two downwardly converging legs 34 adapted to be received by and supported by slide means 26, specifically by leg supports 35 mounted on plate 31. If desired, leg supports 35 may be pivotally mounted on plate 31 by means of pivot pins 38.
  • the upper portion of conductor bar 18 is shaped in the form of a wedge 37 and is adapted to be held against and within downwardly converging legs 34 of the electrical connection plate 24 with vertical pressure in current transmitting contact.
  • clamp 30 may be used as a supplementary holding means operating through wedge shaped pressure plate 39 to provide additional vertical pressure. If a solid rather than an open wedge were used, then a at pressure plate would be used.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • the upper portion of conductor bar 18 is hook shaped with the hook 40 opening horizontally.
  • the free end of hook 40 is adapted to be held against electrical connection plate 24 with vertical pressure in current transmitting contact.
  • hook 40 may be flared to provide additional contact area.
  • this holding means may be supplemented by clamp 30 acting through horizontal pressure plate 39 thereby providing additional vertical pressure.
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 show a still further embodiment of the suspension system of this invention.
  • the end of electrical connection plate 24 removed from the anode bus 22 is provided with or split into two downwardly extending legs 34 adapted to be received by and pivotally attached to plate 31 of slide means 26. As shown, this may be done through leg supports 35 pivotally attached to plate 31 by pivot assembly 41.
  • the upper portion of conductor bar 18 may be of the same shape as the rest of the bar. In this way, bar 18 is adapted to be held against and within downwardly extending legs 34 of the electrical connection plate 24 in current transmitting contact as the legs 34 pivot downwardly under the vertical pressure of the conductor bar 18.
  • clamp 30 acting through pressure plate 39 may be used to provide supplemental vertical pressure thereby insuring good current transmitting contact between conductor bar 18 and connection plate legs 34.
  • the novel suspension system of this invention permits the vertical adjustment of each anode in a cell without having to change the position of other anodes in the cell. Similarly, it is not necessary to break the electrical connection between other anode assemblies and the bus bar when adjusting one anode. Further, the novel suspension systems of this invention permit breaking the current flow from each anode assembly to the electrolyte when changing anodes. This is done by raising the anode assembly until the anode is above the surface of the electrolyte, thus breaking the electrical circuit. This eliminates arcing between the metal conductor rod and electrical connection plate when replacing spent anode carbons. The elimination of the arcing means that there is little attack to the contact surfaces of the conductor rod and electrical connection plate. Thus, their life is greatly extended and current drop across the connection is kept to a minimum. This feature becomes extremely important when current flow through each anode of a cell is increased from 2,000 amperes upwards.
  • novel suspension systems of this invention allow the replacement of any individual spent vanode without disturbing the connection devices or position of other anodes in the cell.
  • An auxiliary anode bus or portable auxiliary anode are not required, as in the prior art arrangements, to hold all the anodes while the anode bus is being repositioned to the top position.
  • the novel suspension systems of this invention permit current transmitting contact to be obtained between the metal conductor bar and electrical connection plate with vertical pressure instead of horizontal pressure through a horizontally acting clamp as in the prior art. Since much of the vertical pressure to create the desired current transmitting contact is due to the weight of the conductor bar-anode assembly, only relatively little clamping pressure, if any, is needed. This means that distortion of the conductor bar due to clamping pressure is minimized and the useful life of the conductor bar is greatly extended.
  • An electrolytic reduction cell comprising:
  • slide means positioned above the cavity and adapted to receive the extremity of the connection plate removed from the anode bus and to be slidably adjustable along a vertical plane;
  • (h) means for attaching the prebaked anode to the lower end of the metal conductor bar.

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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)
US478162A 1965-08-09 1965-08-09 Electrolytic reduction cell having detachably supported electrodes Expired - Lifetime US3404081A (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US478162A US3404081A (en) 1965-08-09 1965-08-09 Electrolytic reduction cell having detachably supported electrodes
NO164130A NO118163B (ko) 1965-08-09 1966-08-01
FR71900A FR1498504A (fr) 1965-08-09 1966-08-03 Dispositif de suspension d'anodes pour cuve de réduction électrolytique
DE19661533451 DE1533451A1 (de) 1965-08-09 1966-08-03 Anodenhaltevorrichtung bei elektrolytischen Reduktionsbaedern
GB35271/66A GB1147392A (en) 1965-08-09 1966-08-05 Improvements in or relating to electrolytic reduction cells

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US478162A US3404081A (en) 1965-08-09 1965-08-09 Electrolytic reduction cell having detachably supported electrodes

Publications (1)

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US3404081A true US3404081A (en) 1968-10-01

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US478162A Expired - Lifetime US3404081A (en) 1965-08-09 1965-08-09 Electrolytic reduction cell having detachably supported electrodes

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US (1) US3404081A (ko)
DE (1) DE1533451A1 (ko)
GB (1) GB1147392A (ko)
NO (1) NO118163B (ko)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3912616A (en) * 1973-05-31 1975-10-14 Olin Corp Metal anode assembly
US4269673A (en) * 1980-01-28 1981-05-26 Aluminum Company Of America Anode mount
EP0387687A1 (de) * 1989-03-13 1990-09-19 VAW Aluminium AG Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Nachregulierung des Polabstandes zum Ausgleich des Anodenabbrandes bei Elektrolysezellen
CN102534669A (zh) * 2012-01-10 2012-07-04 山西关铝股份有限公司 高性能铝材料制备用多连续电极电解槽
CN102560543A (zh) * 2012-01-10 2012-07-11 山西关铝股份有限公司 高性能铝合金制备用多连续阳极电解槽
CN102560542A (zh) * 2012-01-10 2012-07-11 山西关铝股份有限公司 高性能铝合金制备用连续阳极电解槽
EP3491700A4 (en) * 2016-07-29 2020-06-10 Hatch Ltd. FLEXIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB922290A (en) * 1960-12-23 1963-03-27 Aluminium Ind Ag Electrolytic cells for the production of aluminium

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB922290A (en) * 1960-12-23 1963-03-27 Aluminium Ind Ag Electrolytic cells for the production of aluminium
US3245898A (en) * 1960-12-23 1966-04-12 Alusuisse Electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3912616A (en) * 1973-05-31 1975-10-14 Olin Corp Metal anode assembly
US4269673A (en) * 1980-01-28 1981-05-26 Aluminum Company Of America Anode mount
AU628484B2 (en) * 1989-03-10 1992-09-17 Vereinigte Aluminium-Werke Aktiengesellschaft Method and apparatus for adjusting the distance between the poles of electrolysis cells
EP0387687A1 (de) * 1989-03-13 1990-09-19 VAW Aluminium AG Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Nachregulierung des Polabstandes zum Ausgleich des Anodenabbrandes bei Elektrolysezellen
CN102534669A (zh) * 2012-01-10 2012-07-04 山西关铝股份有限公司 高性能铝材料制备用多连续电极电解槽
CN102560543A (zh) * 2012-01-10 2012-07-11 山西关铝股份有限公司 高性能铝合金制备用多连续阳极电解槽
CN102560542A (zh) * 2012-01-10 2012-07-11 山西关铝股份有限公司 高性能铝合金制备用连续阳极电解槽
CN102534669B (zh) * 2012-01-10 2014-07-23 山西昇运有色金属有限公司 高性能铝材料制备用多连续电极电解槽
CN102560542B (zh) * 2012-01-10 2014-08-20 山西昇运有色金属有限公司 高性能铝合金制备用连续阳极电解槽
EP3491700A4 (en) * 2016-07-29 2020-06-10 Hatch Ltd. FLEXIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
US10855040B2 (en) 2016-07-29 2020-12-01 Hatch Ltd. Flexible electrical connectors for electrolytic cells

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1147392A (en) 1969-04-02
DE1533451A1 (de) 1970-01-08
NO118163B (ko) 1969-11-17

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