Abstract: A tending module (7) for a series of electrolytic cells (2) to be used for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a frame (8) that can be fixed to a trolley (6) and a turret (9) fitted on the frame (8) so as to pivot about a vertical axis A, and equipped with a set of tools including a crust breaker (11), a bucket shovel (12), at least one first anode clamp (13) and a hopper (15) fitted with a retractable duct (16), and a balcony or a cab (18) having controls that will be used to maneuver the module and the tools, and a control station (19) from which an operator can actuate the controls.

Abstract: An on-the-fly method for measuring the length, along an axis (z?z) of an anode (20) used in the production of aluminium by molten salt electrolysis in which: i) said anode is suspended from a gripping member (13a) which is fitted with a displacement sensor measuring the vertical position of the point of attachment (O); ii) said gripping member is moved vertically so that the lower surface (21a) of the anode passes through a plane (P) formed by n beams (f1, . . . , fi, . . . , fn) and, each time one of said beams i (i=1 to n) is disturbed by the lower surface of the anode passing through it, the vertical position hi of said point of attachment (O) is measured; iii) the angle of inclination zz? of the anode stem is measured and the distance between the point of attachment and the lower surface (21a) of the anode block (21) is deduced based on values measured hi (i=1 to n), and the inclination value of the anode stem.

Abstract: A system for providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the ends of two essentially-coaxial shafts (1 and 2), whereby each shaft end includes a groove (11, 12) close to an axial end extension (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Moreover, the aforementioned ends are connected inside a sleeve (10) including the following: a first annular shoulder (13) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove of the first shaft, such that there is no clearance therebetween; a second annular shoulder (14) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove (12) of the second shaft, but with a clearance therebetween; and a cavity (16) which is intended to receive the shaft ends, said cavity having an axial height which is greater than the sum of the axial heights of the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Further, the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9) of the two shafts are in permanent mechanical and electrical contact.

Abstract: A tending module for a series of electrolysis cells designed for the manufacture of aluminum by igneous electrolysis, each cell including a series of anodes provided with a metal rod designed to fix and electrically connect the anodes to a metal anode frame. The tending module includes a frame to be fixed to a mobile component, and at least one anode handling unit connected to the frame. The module also includes, integral with the anode handling unit, an activator that can exert at least one force or impulse on the anode rod, with a force such that, although the stem is firmly maintained in contact against the anode frame, the contact surfaces are moved in relation to each other by an amount sufficient for electrical contact to be improved. Advantageously, the activator is a jack or an impulse generator integral with the anode clamp.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is a leak limiter (20) of an electrolytic cell (1) for the production of aluminum, fitted with confinement means comprising passage openings for the insertion of anode stems (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support (21), capable of surrounding all or part of an anode stem, and at least one flexible sealing body (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) arranged around all or part of the periphery (23) of the support (21) and designed to close off all or some of the free space between the inside edge of an opening and an anode stem (3). This invention improves the leak tightness of covering means used in electrolytic cells.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing anodes used for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis, said anodes comprising an anode stem made of a conducting metal and at least one block made of carbonaceous material called an anode block, said method including at least the following steps: a) obtain an anode stem; b) obtain a new anode block; c) fix one end of the anode stem onto the anode block, so as to give good mechanical attachment and good electrical connection between said stem and said anode block; said method being characterised in that before, during or after step c), but before placement of said anode in the electrolytic cell, a protective layer with a controlled thickness, typically between 5 and 25 cm composed of a material resistant to temperature and corrosion by the medium above the electrolytic bath is at least partially deposited on the upper surface of said anode block.

Abstract: A handling device for hoods of an aluminum production cell by fused bath electrolysis, including a positioning device and a hood-gripping device. The positioning device includes a vertical guide device, a mobile support mounted on the guide device so that it can be moved in at least a vertical direction during use, an articulated arm, a first framework mounted on the articulated arm so that it can pivot about a first rotation axis A substantially horizontal during use, a motor to make the first framework pivot about the first rotation axis A, a second framework mounted on the first framework so that it can be moved along the first translation axis B that is substantially horizontal during use, and means of displacing the second framework along the first translation axis B. The hood-gripping system is fixed to the second framework and includes a set of gripping devices designed to grip a set of hoods at a number of fixing points.

Abstract: A process for extracting the anode butt (110) and the thimbles (130) attached to a spent anode or to a rejected new anode, including the following stages: a) the butt (110) is fitted between a stop device (200) and an attacking device (300) said stop device having a first stop (211) blocking the butt, said attacking device being provided, around each stub, with a recess presenting a second stop (225) which blocks said thimbles, the axial distance between the stops being equal to, or greater than, the height of the thimbles; b) the butt is moved so that it come us against the first stop; c) the attacking device is moved: the butt breaks up; d) the fragments of butt are removed; c) the attacking device continues to move: the thimbles are detached from the stubs; f) the attacking device stops and is withdrawn. In two successive, clearly separated stages, the butt fragments and the thimbles are detached, fall and can be sent directly to a special recycling unit.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is a process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminium by fused bath electrolysis (2) on which at least one anode handling tool (13) is used, comprising a positioning device (13b) and a gripping device (13a), and characterised in that during replacement operations of a determined spent anode (20?) by a replacement anode (20?), the position of the replacement anode (20?) is determined from a determined set of measurements of a fixed point position Po located on at least one anode handling tool (13) with respect to a determined set of reference points P located on determined objects separate from the anode handling tool. Another purpose of the invention is a pot tending machine used to implement the process. The invention significantly limits the handling operations required to determine the position of the replacement anode.

Abstract: A process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a plurality of anodes. According to the invention, an anode handling tool is used including a positioning device, a gripping device and a sensor detecting the vertical position of the gripping device, and the position sensor is used to measure the vertical distances traveled by the gripping device with respect to a reference level N. At least one sound or electromagnetic waves beam is then produced in a determined reference line or plane and the passage of the anode in the beam is used to measure the distances. The vertical position of the replacement anode in the cell is determined starting from the values obtained for the traveled distances and the replacement anode is put into this position in the place initially occupied by the spent anode.

Abstract: A device fixed to a first mast cooperates with a contact area located on the outside face of a second mast sliding substantially coaxially in the first mast. The device includes guide units including a roller mounted free to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the masts, a pad with a bearing face, and a device for displacing the axis of the roller perpendicular to the contact area of the mast, as a function of forces applied by the mast on the roller. The bearing area of the unit on the mast is thus formed by the roller only, or the roller and the pad.

Abstract: Device for filling the pits of a carbon material anode baking furnace with packing material, substantially carbon powder, includes a tank having a body extended by a lower portion forming at least one funnel, wherein at least two outlet orifices permit the packing material to be poured out of the tank and wherein the outlet orifices are substantially aligned, and a device for handling the tank which permits the tank to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the outlet orifices are aligned. It is therefore possible to pour the packing material simultaneously into two adjacent pits of a furnace, from the same tank. The device is used for the baking of anodes used for the electrolysis of aluminum.

Abstract: An anode rod is placed between two hooks fixed to an anode beam and onto which a connector bears, including two levers, two coaxial lateral rods and a screw that can pivot levers between a clamping position of the anode rod in contact with the anode beam and a release position. The geometry of at least one hook, a lever and/or a lateral rod and the material from which they are formed are such that the elastic deformation of the holding device with respect to the anode beam when the screw is tightened is sufficient. Thus, this device can compensate for a change in the position of the anode rod by elastic return towards its unstressed position, and thus continues to keep the anode rod firmly in contact with the anode beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling device for an anode connector provided with at least two side trunnions and a tightening screw. The connector is generally capable of cooperating with attachment hooks of an aluminum production cell used in fused bath electrolysis production operations so as to enable connection of anodes onto the cell. The handling device has a tightening device capable of tightening the connector screw and affecting the tightness of the connector. The present invention also has a locking system that can lock the connector in a desired position in the handling device, by loosening the connector using the tightening device. The handling device also has at least one mobile member which typically has a support to support the connector in a closed position. The support can also displace the mobile member from its closed position to an open position, and vice versa.

Abstract: Pot tending module (7) for a series of electrolytic cells for production by igneous electrolysis, including a chassis (8) that can be fixed to a trolley (6) moving along a travelling crane (4) and provided with a set of tools, particularly including at least one anode handling device (11), which is also provided with at least two display means (41 and 42) capable of taking views and transmitting them in the form of electromagnetic signals, typically two video cameras, the display means disposed at a distance from each other and from the working area, to be able to aim at the working area (23) of the anode handling device(s) along two non-parallel directions (D1) and (D2), forming an angle preferably close to 90°. This pot tending module may also include a third camera (43) that presents an overview of the tools and working areas for these tools, and a fourth camera (44) fixed onto the base of the anode grab actuators.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fixing a chute to a powder-product-feed hopper of an electrolytic cell. According to the invention, the chute (4) is fixed to the base of a hopper (3) or a similar powder-product-feed apparatus. The hopper (3) comprises chute-support and fixing means consisting of at least one hook element (7) having an essentially-horizontal support area which is solidly connected to the hopper, while the body of the chute (4) is provided with at least one hook (9) which is articulated around a horizontal axis and which is intended to be hooked onto the hook element (7) of the hopper. The simple structure of the inventive device greatly improves on existing technology, enabling the rapid mounting and removal of powder-product-feed chutes in electrolytic cells during the operation thereof, in full safety for the operator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the ends of two essentially-coaxial shafts (1 and 2), whereby each shaft end comprises a groove (11, 12) close to an axial end extension (17 and 8; 18 and 9). Moreover, the aforementioned ends are connected inside a sleeve (10) comprising: a first annular shoulder (13) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove of the first shaft, such that there is no clearance therebetween; a second annular shoulder (14) having a shape that is complementary to that of the groove (12) of the second shaft, but with a clearance therebetween; and a cavity (16) which is intended to receive the shaft ends, said cavity having an axial height which is greater than the sum of the axial heights of the axial end extensions (17 and 8; 18 and 9).

Abstract: The invention concerns a clamp designed to grasp a load equipped with a stem. Locking is controlled by the presence and the position of the stem in the clamp, which avoids untimely release of the load in the event of failure of the actuating means of a mobile gripping element(s) of the clamp.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is a leak limiter (20) of an electrolytic cell (1) for the production of aluminum, fitted with confinement means comprising passage openings for the insertion of anode stems (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support (21), capable of surrounding all or part of an anode stem, and at least one flexible sealing body (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) arranged around all or part of the periphery (23) of the support (21) and designed to close off all or some of the free space between the inside edge of an opening and an anode stem (3). This invention improves the leak tightness of covering means used in electrolytic cells.