US3787311A - Cathode for the winning of aluminum - Google Patents

Cathode for the winning of aluminum Download PDF

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Publication number
US3787311A
US3787311A US00207457A US3787311DA US3787311A US 3787311 A US3787311 A US 3787311A US 00207457 A US00207457 A US 00207457A US 3787311D A US3787311D A US 3787311DA US 3787311 A US3787311 A US 3787311A
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United States
Prior art keywords
cathode
blocks
floor
carbon
aluminum
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00207457A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Wittner
K Lauer
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BK Giulini Chemie GmbH
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Giulini Gebrueder GmbH
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Priority claimed from DE19702061263 external-priority patent/DE2061263C3/de
Application filed by Giulini Gebrueder GmbH filed Critical Giulini Gebrueder GmbH
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Publication of US3787311A publication Critical patent/US3787311A/en
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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
    • 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

  • ABSTRACT In the winning of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in molten electrolyte, wherein the electrolysis current passes through the surface of a carbon cathode, the electrolysis current is equalized over the surface of the carbon cathode.
  • the present invention relates to the winning of aluminum in an electrolysis cell. More particularly, the pres ent invention relates to a method of operating such acell and to a carbon cathode for such a cell, the cathode including carbon blocks having conductivities varying in steps from neighboring blocks.
  • electrolysis cells In the winning of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina (A1 dissolved in cryolite, electrolysis cells are used whose floor is constructed of an array of carbon blocks. These blocks collectively form the cathode. By means of a suitable bonding mass, for example unfired electrode mass, these carbon blocks are so connected to one another that an impermeable floor for collecting liquid metal is formed.
  • the carbon blocks assembled into a cell floor have all had the same chemical and physical properties. Thus, it has not mattered which particular block was placed at any given position in a cell floor.
  • the achievement of this object by the present invention is based on the recognition that such disadvantages arise due to a gradient in the electrical resistance which is presented to current flowing through the abovedescribed cathodes built of carbon blocks of uniform electrical conductivity.
  • This gradient exists in going from the middle of a cell floor cross to the borders of the floor.
  • the path is of lower resistance from the molten aluminum, through the cathode, to a bus bar, when current enters the cathode floor at a border location, than when current enters the cathode floor at a central position.
  • FIG. I is a plan view of the essential portions of a cathode block floor according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2a is a side view of one of the thirteen sets of cathode blocks of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2b is an end view of the set of FIG. 2a.
  • FIG. 3 represents the approximate equivalent electrical circuit of the structure of the invention.
  • the current density of the electrolysis current is the same over the entire cathode surface.
  • the electrolysis current is equalized over the cathode surface by means of a cathode made of an array of carbon blocks of different electrical conductivities. These blocks are so arranged in the direction of cathode current withdrawal leads that a uniform current distribution is assured.
  • the carbon blocks are so placed that the electrical resistance of the carbon blocks increases in steps from the cathode middle outwards in the direction of the pins. The steps are chosen to provide a substantially uniform current density over the cathode surface.
  • the number of carbon blocks and their resistance parameters depends on the cell size and type and must be recalculated when considering a new aluminum electrolysis cell.
  • the cathode can be constructed of carbon blocks whose electrical resistances increase continuously outwards in the direction of the cathode leads. This eliminates the discontinuities caused by the stepwise increasing of resistance in the previous embodiment.
  • FIG. 2a corresponds, for example, to the view of the carbon cathode floor appearing in FIG. 4 of the article entitled Aluminum in the McGRAW-HILL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, McGrawHill Book Company, New York (1966), at page 294.
  • the array of carbon blocks forming the floor includes blocks of three different resistivities. These three types of blocks are designated as blocks 3, blocks 4, and blocks 5. Along any of the thirteen continuous, steel, cathode pins 2, carbon blocks are arranged in electrical contact with the pins in the sequence block 3, block 4, block 5, block 4, block 3. The centers 3 of the blocks 5 are staggered alternately on one or the other side of the center line 9 of the floor; this somewhat smoothes out the effect of the resistance steps of one block to another along any one pin 2.
  • FIG. 3 shows a simplified equivalent circuit for the floor structure.
  • Resistances R R and R represent the resistances of carbon blocks 3, 4, and 5, respectively.
  • Resistance R represents the resistance of the steel pin 2 between points 10 and II in FIG. 2a, and resistance R represents the resistance of pin 2 between points 11 and 12.
  • the voltage at points 13, I4, and 15, where the molten aluminum contacts blocks 3, 4, and 5, respec- Also, because the shapes of the blocks are the same, and the shapes of the steel sections, between points and 11, and 11 and 12, are the same, the following relationships also hold:
  • the dimensions of the carbon blocks are 500 mm X 500 mm X 380 mm and the dimensions of the steel pins (cross section) are 140 mm X 140 mm.
  • Carbon blocks with resistivities varying between 9.0 and 35.5 ohm mm meter are known. Manufacturers of such carbon blocks are, e.g., Siemens Griessheim AG and Conradty GmbH., Nurnberg.
  • Carbon blocks with defined resistivity can be produced by heating the blocks. The higher the temperature and the longer the heating time, the higher is the amount of graphite and the conductivity.
  • a carbon cathode for the winning of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in molten electrolyte comprising an array of carbon blocks, with neighboring blocks in the array having different resistances, the difference in resistance between neighboring blocks being in a direction to equalize the current distribution between said blocks.

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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)
US00207457A 1970-12-12 1971-12-13 Cathode for the winning of aluminum Expired - Lifetime US3787311A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19702061263 DE2061263C3 (de) 1970-12-12 Aluminiumgewinnung in einem Elektrolyse-Ofen durch Schmelzflußelektrolyse mit einer Kathode aus Kohlenstoffblöcken abgestufter Leitfähigkeit

Publications (1)

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US3787311A true US3787311A (en) 1974-01-22

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US00207457A Expired - Lifetime US3787311A (en) 1970-12-12 1971-12-13 Cathode for the winning of aluminum

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US3787311A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5539630B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA968744A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2117960B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT940400B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL7117021A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO128335B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USB430385I5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1974-01-03 1975-01-28
US4194959A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-03-25 Alcan Research And Development Limited Electrolytic reduction cells
US4737256A (en) * 1985-10-24 1988-04-12 Ardal Og Sunndal Verk A.S. Laminated carbon cathode for cells for the production of aluminium by electrolytic smelting
EP1233083A1 (de) * 2001-02-14 2002-08-21 Alcan Technology & Management AG Kohleboden einer Elektrolysezelle zur Gewinnung von Aluminium
WO2003056070A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-10 Sgl Carbon Ag Verfahren zum graphitieren von kathodenblöcken
WO2003056071A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-10 Sgl Carbon Ag Verfahren zum graphitieren von kathodenblöcken
WO2003056069A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-10 Sgl Carbon Ag Verfahren zum graphitieren von kathodenblöcken
US6627062B1 (en) 1999-02-02 2003-09-30 Carbone Savoie Graphite cathode for the electrolysis of aluminium
EP2650404A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-16 SGL Carbon SE Electrolysis cell, in particular for the production of aluminium
CN104451777A (zh) * 2013-09-25 2015-03-25 贵阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 一种电解槽上阳极的配置方法
NO20141572A1 (no) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-24 Norsk Hydro As En modifisert elektrolysecelle og en fremgangsmåte for modifisering av samme

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH620948A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-05-13 1980-12-31 Alusuisse
FR2566002B1 (fr) * 1984-06-13 1986-11-21 Pechiney Aluminium Bloc cathodique modulaire et cathode a faible chute de tension pour cuves d'electrolyse hall-heroult

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2728109A (en) * 1952-06-06 1955-12-27 Savoie Electrodes Refract Method of making cathodic electrodes for electrolysis furnaces
US3470083A (en) * 1963-11-22 1969-09-30 Vaw Ver Aluminium Werke Ag Electrolytic cell cathode bottom with vertically inserted current conductor
US3514520A (en) * 1967-02-01 1970-05-26 Montedison Spa Linings of electrolysis,remelting,and similar furnaces,containing molten metals,alone or together with molten salts
US3582483A (en) * 1962-06-29 1971-06-01 Elektrokemisk As Process for electrolytically producing aluminum

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2786024A (en) * 1953-04-16 1957-03-19 Elektrokemisk As Arrangement of cathode bars in electrolytic pots
US3385778A (en) * 1964-10-21 1968-05-28 Aluminum Co Of America Current collecting method and apparatus for aluminum reduction cells

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2728109A (en) * 1952-06-06 1955-12-27 Savoie Electrodes Refract Method of making cathodic electrodes for electrolysis furnaces
US3582483A (en) * 1962-06-29 1971-06-01 Elektrokemisk As Process for electrolytically producing aluminum
US3470083A (en) * 1963-11-22 1969-09-30 Vaw Ver Aluminium Werke Ag Electrolytic cell cathode bottom with vertically inserted current conductor
US3514520A (en) * 1967-02-01 1970-05-26 Montedison Spa Linings of electrolysis,remelting,and similar furnaces,containing molten metals,alone or together with molten salts

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4001104A (en) * 1974-01-03 1977-01-04 Union Carbide Corporation Cemented collector bar assemblies for aluminum cell carbon bottom block
USB430385I5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1974-01-03 1975-01-28
US4194959A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-03-25 Alcan Research And Development Limited Electrolytic reduction cells
US4737256A (en) * 1985-10-24 1988-04-12 Ardal Og Sunndal Verk A.S. Laminated carbon cathode for cells for the production of aluminium by electrolytic smelting
US6627062B1 (en) 1999-02-02 2003-09-30 Carbone Savoie Graphite cathode for the electrolysis of aluminium
AU776902B2 (en) * 1999-02-02 2004-09-23 Carbone Savoie Graphite cathode for electrolysis of aluminium
WO2002064860A1 (de) * 2001-02-14 2002-08-22 Alcan Technology & Management Ag Kohleboden einer elektrolysezelle zur gewinnung von aluminium
EP1233083A1 (de) * 2001-02-14 2002-08-21 Alcan Technology & Management AG Kohleboden einer Elektrolysezelle zur Gewinnung von Aluminium
WO2003056071A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-10 Sgl Carbon Ag Verfahren zum graphitieren von kathodenblöcken
WO2003056069A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-10 Sgl Carbon Ag Verfahren zum graphitieren von kathodenblöcken
WO2003056070A1 (de) * 2001-12-28 2003-07-10 Sgl Carbon Ag Verfahren zum graphitieren von kathodenblöcken
CN104428451A (zh) * 2012-04-12 2015-03-18 西格里碳素欧洲公司 电解槽、特别是用于生产铝的电解槽
WO2013153053A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-17 Sgl Carbon Se Electrolysis cell, in particular for the production of aluminum
EP2650404A1 (en) * 2012-04-12 2013-10-16 SGL Carbon SE Electrolysis cell, in particular for the production of aluminium
RU2630114C2 (ru) * 2012-04-12 2017-09-05 Сгл Карбон Се Электролизер, в частности, для получения алюминия
US10801118B2 (en) 2012-04-12 2020-10-13 Tokai Cobex Gmbh Electrolysis cell, in particular for the production of aluminum
CN104451777A (zh) * 2013-09-25 2015-03-25 贵阳铝镁设计研究院有限公司 一种电解槽上阳极的配置方法
NO20141572A1 (no) * 2014-12-23 2016-06-24 Norsk Hydro As En modifisert elektrolysecelle og en fremgangsmåte for modifisering av samme
WO2016105204A1 (en) 2014-12-23 2016-06-30 Norsk Hydro Asa A modified electrolysis cell and a method for modifying same
US10689770B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-06-23 Norsk Hydro Asa Modified electrolysis cell and a method for modifying same
EA037336B1 (ru) * 2014-12-23 2021-03-15 Норск Хюдро Аса Модифицированный электролизер и способ его модификации

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2117960A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-07-28
JPS5539630B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-10-13
NO128335B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-10-29
IT940400B (it) 1973-02-10
CA968744A (en) 1975-06-03
DE2061263A1 (de) 1972-06-29
FR2117960B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-11-15
DE2061263B2 (de) 1975-06-26
NL7117021A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-06-14

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