Abstract: Operations in an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum are controlled by sensing infrared radiation on an outer surface of a cell chamber to determine an actual temperature. When the actual temperature is greater than a target temperature, a crust hole is repaired or the actual rate of addition of aluminum fluoride to the cell is increased. When the actual temperature is less than a target temperature, the actual rate of addition of aluminum fluoride to the cell is reduced.

Abstract: Operations in a cell for electrolytic production of aluminum are controlled by establishing a standard rate of addition of aluminum fluoride to a molten electrolyte covered by a crust; establishing a target temperature for a duct carrying offgas from a chamber containing the molten electrolyte; measuring an actual temperature in the duct; and, in response to the actual temperature measurement in the duct, performing at least one of (1) when the actual temperature is greater than the target temperature, inspecting the crust for a crust hole and then repairing any observed crust hole, and (2) varying an actual rate of addition of aluminum fluoride to the electrolyte by increasing the actual rate above the standard rate when the actual temperature is greater than the target temperature and by reducing the actual rate below the standard rate when the actual temperature is less than the target temperature. Controlling operations in accordance with the invention improves cell energy efficiency.

Abstract: An aluminum production cell includes an inert anode and an insulating lid comprising alumina and at least one metal fluoride. The insulating lid preferably comprises about 35-90 wt. % of a mixture of sodium fluoride and aluminum fluoride and about 10-65 wt. % alumina.

Abstract: A method of making a light metal-rare earth metal alloy includes mixing a light metal powder, such as aluminum powder, with a finely divided rare earth metal-containing compound, such as scandium oxide, creating a billet by subjecting the mixture to cold isostatic compaction. The billet formed from the mixture of aluminum powder and rare earth metal-containing compound is preferably sintered at a temperature of about 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. and preferably about 640.degree. C. to 680.degree. C., and subsequently feeding the billet to a molten aluminum bath. This method facilitates conversion of in excess of 95% of the rare earth metal oxide to the aluminum-rare earth metal alloy. The rare earth metal may be scandium.

Abstract: A novel aluminum-lithium negative electrode and method for making such a novel aluminum-lithium negative electrode, including providing an admixture of aluminum powder and lithium halide electrolyte salts to form an aluminum lithium halide mixture, pressing the aluminum lithium halide mixture to form an aluminum lithium halide mixture negative electrode, placing the aluminum lithium halide mixture negative electrode next to a separate electrode composed of MgO and lithium halide electrolyte salts, providing a positive electrode of iron sulfide, lithium carbonate, and carbon, assembling the electrodes into a battery, and reacting lithium carbonate, carbon, and aluminum in situ in the battery to form an aluminum-lithium alloy negative electrode.