Aluminum electrolysis cell electrolyte containment systems and apparatus and methods relating to the same

Abstract

Aluminum electrolysis cells and associated system and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an aluminum electrolysis cell includes an outer shell, a bottom, a plurality of bath resistant blocks defining a surrounding wall, and at least one spring member coupled to at least one of the plurality of bath resistant blocks and the outer shell, where the at least one spring member is configured to maintain the plurality of bath resistant blocks in a substantially leak-tight configuration.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Aluminum is generally produced via the Hall process, which entails passing current through an electrolytic bath comprising alumina and cryolite to reduce the alumina to aluminum metal. An electrolysis cell generally holds the electrolytic bath and includes a plurality of anodes that pass current through the bath to a cathode. Conventional anodes are made of carbon and are thus consumed during the electrolysis process. Efforts have been made to utilize non-consumable anodes for use in electrolysis cells. Such anodes are typically metal or metal-oxide based and are referred to as “inert anodes” since they are both dimensionally stable, compared to carbon anodes, and electrically conductive at normal electrolysis temperatures.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Broadly, the instant disclosure relates to systems and methods for containing the electrolytic bath within an aluminum electrolysis cell. During conventional aluminum production processes, a crust generally develops o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]Broadly, the instant disclosure relates to systems and methods for containing the electrolytic bath within an aluminum electrolysis cell. During conventional aluminum production processes, a crust generally develops over the electrolytic bath. Crust that develops on the sidewall is called a ledge. The ledge may protect the sidewall and may prevent the electrolytic bath from leaking out of the cell via cracks between sidewall members. Maintenance of the ledge results in significant heat loss, and attempts to insulate the system to conserve this heat loss generally result in loss of the ledge (e.g., via melting). Thus, it is desirable to eliminate reliance on the ledge for bath containment purposes, especially with the use of inert anodes, which may facilitate operation of electrolysis cells at lower temperatures.

[0006]In one embodiment, at least two spring members are coupled to a corner block and the outer shell. In one embodiment, the spring members are restrictively coupled to the outer shell (e.g., via mechanical restraints, such as bolts). In one embodiment, the spring members are coupled to the corner block via simple physical contact (e.g., not via mechanical restraints). The physical contact may be facilitated, for example, via a head of the spring member, which is interconnected to a spring. Thus, the spring members may remain coupled to the corner block over various operating temperatures, and may expand and / or contract, as necessary to maintain physical contact with the corner block. In one embodiment, a corner block may include a first surface and a second surface. In one embodiment, a first spring member is coupled to the first surface of the corner block, and a second spring member is coupled to the second surface of the corner block. Thus, application of a responsive force in at least two directions may be facilitated. In one embodiment, an axis of the first surface of the corner block is transverse (e.g., non-parallel to, such as orthogonal to) an axis of the second surface of the corner block.

Problems solved by technology

Maintenance of the ledge results in significant heat loss, and attempts to insulate the system to conserve this heat loss generally result in loss of the ledge (e.g., via melting).

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