Abstract: Disclosed are a pin assembly for providing current to an electrode, e.g. an inert or oxygen evolving anode, and its manufacturing method. The pin assembly is configured to be inserted into an electrode body of an electrode for providing an electric current to the electrode body. The pin assembly comprises a structural support member configured to mechanically support the electrode body, and a protective conductive member configured to embed the structural support member. The protective conductive member comprises at least one metal or alloy thereof adapted for conducting the electric current while protecting the structural support member against corrosion during a given period of time of use of the electrode. The pin assembly enables convenient electrical connection of the electrodes, combines electrical and thermal performance for optimizing cell efficiency, provides structural and corrosion durability for extending pin assembly life, and utilizes robust joining processes for high reliability.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling electrode current density of an electrolytic cell during the electrolytic production of a metal, such as aluminum or aluminium, are disclosed. The cell has anodes and cathode plates vertically aligned and arranged in alternating rows. Each electrode defines a connecting region for connecting the electrode to the cell, a middle region, and an ACO (Anode-Cathode Overlap) region extending from the middle region for overlapping adjacent electrodes(s). The ratio of the ACO region's surface area to the middle region's surface area is superior to one. Alternatively, an average cross-sectional ACO region to the middle and connecting regions, is superior than one, preferably superior than 2. The present technology allows maximizing current density in the ACO region.

Abstract: It is disclosed a purifier assembly and method for removing impurities from an electrolytic bath before using the same with an electrolytic cell for making a metal, such as aluminum or aluminium. The assembly comprises a purification tank, located upstream the cell, for containing the bath; and at least one row, preferably at least two rows, of alternating vertically oriented cathodes and anodes configured to be operatively connected to a power supply for providing an electric current to the anodes and cathodes. The rows of vertically oriented cathodes and anodes are configured in size to be inserted into the tank. The purifier assembly is configured to maintain an anode-to-cathode distance (ACD) between the cathodes and anodes. The purifier is particularly adapted for removing sulfur, phosphorus, iron, and/or gallium from cryolite for the eco-friendly production of aluminum with a cell using oxygen-evolving or inert anodes, which preferably requires a purer bath.

Abstract: A method for detecting a thermite reaction in an electrolytic cell comprising an anode assembly of one or more metal-oxide-containing anodes is disclosed. Each anode assembly is powered by a current provided through a distinct anode rod for each anode assembly. The method comprises: measuring a voltage drop using a pair of voltage probes located on the anode rod, the voltage drop corresponding to a current flow in the anode assembly; processing the voltage drop by computing at least one of the voltage drop derivative, the voltage drop variance, and the derivative of the voltage drop variance; and detecting a thermite reaction based on the results of the signal processing, before mitigating and/or suppressing the thermite reaction by adjusting the operational parameters of the electrolytic cell. This method is particularly advantageous as it reduces the number of voltage drops necessary for detecting a thermite reaction by a factor of 10.

Abstract: It is disclosed a system and process for starting up an electrolytic cell. The system and process are particularly adapted for preheating an electrolytic cell or pot having cathodes before installing preheated anodes in the cell, for the production of a metal (e.g. aluminum). The system comprises one or more electrical heaters installed in the cell in place of the anode assemblies and can be used with a dry bath or a liquid melted bath (e.g. cryolite). The cell is preferably preheated by as many cell preheaters as there are anode assemblies. The cell preheater is preferably powered by current available in the pot's busbar. The invention is environmentally friendly as being preferably adapted for preheating a cell working with inert or oxygen-evolving anodes. Furthermore, the starting up process allows optimizing/reducing the time necessary for starting up the electrolytic cell, while securing the materials located inside the cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for producing aluminum metal is disclosed. The electrolytic cell comprises at least one anode module having a plurality of anodes and being supported above a corresponding at least one cathode module having a plurality of cathodes, the at least one anode module being supported by a positioning apparatus configured to move inside the cell for selectively positioning the plurality of anodes within the electrolytic cell relative to adjacent cathodes in order to adjust an anode-cathode distance (ACD) and/or an anode-cathode overlap (ACO). Preferably, the anodes are inert or oxygen-evolving electrodes for an eco-friendly or “green” production of a metal, such as aluminum (or aluminium).

Abstract: A method of monitoring an electrolytic cell including detecting information indicative of a thermite reaction, comparing the information indicative of a thermite reaction to a threshold, generating a thermite response signal according to the comparison, and reacting to the thermite response signal by adjusting the operation of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collecting and pretreating process gases produced in an electrolytic cell during aluminum production are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a collecting unit configured to draw off primary process gases from the electrolytic cell, for instance by drawing-off primary process gases from orifices purposely made over the electrolytic bath; and a pre-treating unit fluidly connected to the collecting unit and configured to receive a fluid bed of fluorinated alumina for pre-treating the primary process gases. The collecting and pre-treating units are within or immediately aside the electrolytic cell, in the potroom. The apparatus can be combine with a gas treatment center (GTC) located outside the potroom.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode material, preferably an inert anode material comprising at least a metal core and a cermet material, characterized in that: said metal core contains at least one nickel (Ni) and iron (Fe) alloy, said cermet material comprises at least as percentages by weight: 45 to 80% of a nickel ferrite oxide phase (2) of composition NixFeyMzO4 with 0.60 ?x?0.90; 1.90?y?2.40; 0.00?z?0.20 and M being a metal selected from aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), tin (Sn), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta) and hafnium (Hf) or being a combination of these metals, 15 to 45% of a metallic phase (1) comprising at least one alloy of nickel and copper.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electrolytic cell includes: an one anode module having a plurality of anodes; a one cathode module, opposing the anode module, and comprising a plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of vertical cathodes are vertically oriented and spaced one from another; a cell reservoir; and a cell bottom supporting the cathode module, wherein the cell bottom comprise an first upper surface, a second upper surface, and a channel, wherein the plurality of vertical cathodes extends upward from the upper surfaces, wherein at least one cathode block is located below the plurality of vertical cathodes, wherein the first upper surface and the second upper surface are configured to direct substantially all of the liquid aluminum produced in the electrolytic cell to the channel, and wherein the channel is configured to receive liquid aluminum from the upper surfaces.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum from alumina includes: at least one anode module having a plurality of anodes; at least one cathode module, opposing the anode module, wherein the at least one cathode module comprises a plurality of cathodes, wherein the plurality of anodes are suspended above the cathode module and extending downwards towards the cathode module, wherein the plurality of cathodes are positioned extending upwards towards the anode module, wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of cathodes are alternatingly positioned, wherein the plurality of anodes is selectively positionable in a horizontal direction relative to adjacent cathodes, wherein the anode module is selectively positionable in a vertical direction relative to the cathode module, and wherein a portion of each of the anode electrodes overlap a portion of adjacent cathodes.

Abstract: An insulation assembly is provided, including: a body of an insulating material with a lower surface configured to contact a sidewall an electrolysis cell; an upper surface generally opposed to the lower surface; and a perimetrical sidewall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface to surround the remainder of the body, the perimetrical sidewall including: an inner portion configured to face an anode surface of the electrolysis cell and provide a gap between the body and the anode surface of the electrolysis cell; wherein the body is configured to extend from the sidewall towards the anode surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a feed system for distributing fluidized feed material, comprises: a distribution unit configured to fluidize feed material; and a control unit fluidly coupled to the distribution unit, wherein the control unit comprises: a chamber configured to hold the feed material provided from the distribution unit; and a feeder unit fluidly coupled to the chamber: and a second gas inlet configured to provide gas to the chamber; and a material discharge pipe fluidly coupled to the chamber and the second gas inlet.

Abstract: A cermet material includes as mass percentages, at least: 50% to 90% of a metallic phase containing an alloy of copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni), and 10% to 50% of an oxide phase containing at least iron, nickel and oxygen with the following proportion by mass of Ni: 0.2%?Ni?17%. An electrode, preferably an anode, may include this cermet material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum from alumina includes: at least one anode module having a plurality of anodes; at least one cathode module, opposing the anode module, wherein the at least one cathode module comprises a plurality of cathodes, wherein the plurality of anodes are suspended above the cathode module and extending downwards towards the cathode module, wherein the plurality of cathodes are positioned extending upwards towards the anode module, wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of cathodes are alternatingly positioned, wherein the plurality of anodes is selectively positionable in a horizontal direction relative to adjacent cathodes, wherein the anode module is selectively positionable in a vertical direction relative to the cathode module, and wherein a portion of each of the anode electrodes overlap a portion of adjacent cathodes.