Abstract: In electrolytic cells for producing aluminum in a side-by-side arrangement, a number of cathode bus bars connected to cathode current collector bars projected from upstream long side of each electrolytic cell are connected to at least one rising bus bars provided at upstream long side of an adjacent electrolytic cell provided on downstream side through at least one cathode bus bars provided in the space below the relevant cell and in parallel to the axial line of a row of electrolytic cells; the remaining number thereof are connected to rising bus bars provided at short ends of the adjacent electrolytic cell on the downstream side through cathode bus bars extending along outsides at the short ends of the relevant electrolytic cell, a number of cathode bus bars connected to cathode current collector bars projected from downstream long side of each electrolytic cell are connected to at least one rising bus bar provided on upstream long side of the adjacent electrolytic cell on the downstream side, and the remai

Abstract: An asymmetric arrangement of busbars for conducting direct electric current is conducted from the cathode bar ends of a transversely disposed aluminum fused salt reduction cell to the anode beam of the next cell wherein a fraction of the busbars connected to the cathode bar ends on the upstream side of the cell are led under the cell such that the busbar configuration in the cathodic part of the cell is such that the variation in the asymmetry of the current leading the cell from the upstream cathode bar ends lies between 3 and 30%.

Abstract: A plurality of rectangular electrolytic cells are disposed in at least two rows of a side-by-side arrangement of cells. A first set of cathode bus bars extends along the outside of the short end of the cell facing the other row of cells. This set of bus bars, along with a second set of bus bars disposed beneath the cell, collect cathode current from the upstream long side of the cell. The second bus bars are positioned, and current through each set of bus bars is controlled, to minimize disruption of the molten bath due to circulation flow.

Abstract: Metal is produced in a cell containing a plurality of electrodes which are horizontally disposed and arranged in at least one vertical stack. Each stack includes a cathode, at least one intermediate bipolar electrode and an anode. The electrodes in each stack are arranged in a superimposed, spaced relationship defining inter-electrode spaces between each pair of adjacent electrodes. The upper face of each cathode and of each of the bipolar electrodes has at least one reservoir, bounded by a perimetric wall, for collecting metal produced in the cell. Each perimetric wall has level maintaining means associated therewith so that a pool of the metal in the reservoir will be maintained at a predetermined level beneath the top of the perimetric wall. Metal produced during operation of the cell in excess of that required to fill the reservoir to the predetermined level will drain from the reservoir via the level maintaining means.

Abstract: An improved electrolytic cell for magnesium chloride which essentially comprises:at least one pairs of anode and cathode arranged with a respective principal face thereof in a substantial verticality,at least one bipolar intermediate electrode placed in a row between the anode and cathode,an electrolytic chamber to contain such electrodes, anda metal collecting chamber which is attached to the electrolytic chamber but separated therefrom by a partition, characterized in that said intermediate electrodes essentially consists of a substantially flat graphite portion to provide an anodic face and an iron portion to provide a cathodic face, both materials being spaced from each other and jointed together with rods of iron, which are tightly secured to the graphite, to ensure an intimate electrical connection therebetween, and that a cavity thus formed between the two materials is arranged to fitly communicate at one end with a through hole in the partition to allow passage of electrolyte bath carrying magnesium m

Abstract: Metals and metalloids are produced by cathodically dissolving compounds thereof in electrolytic cells. These cells have one or more heterogenous bipolar electrodes in series, with a terminal electrode as cathode and another terminal electrode as a soluble or inert anode. A common electrolyte is in contact with all electrodes.The compounds of the metals or metalloids are introduced into the cells and are brought into contact with the cathodic sides of the heterogenous electrodes. A cathodic half reaction takes place on the heterogenous bipolar electrode which permits the reduction and dissolution of the metal and metalloid compounds into the common electrolyte. The terminal negative electrodes are the site of the electrolytic deposition of the metals.The cells may also include an electrowinning system of anodes and cathodes, connected by way of the common electrolyte, for depositing the dissolved metals.

Abstract: A device for conducting the electric current from the cathode of a hooded, transverse electrolytic cell to the anode of a neighboring cell via cathodically polarized carbon blocks in the pot of a cell, cathode bars and individual conductor bars wherein the current from each cathode bar is passed under a cell to a compensating conductor bar which runs around the neighboring cell. This compensating conductor bar is connected to each anode of the cell it runs around via a flexible conductor strip. Each anode is provided on its uppermost side with a yoke which is inserted and firmly secured in place, together with the conductor strip, in a notch or recess provided in a device for holding the anode in place.The anode holding device remains in place during anode changes and can be adjusted vertically by means of a motor or the like as a function of the voltage or the desired interpolar distance between anode and cathode.

Abstract: An arrangement of busbars leads the direct electric current from a transverse electrolytic cell in particular such a cell for producing aluminum, to the anode beam of the next cell. The self consistent magnetic field of the cell is almost completely compensated if, at the upstream cathode bar ends, at least two individual or groups of cathode busbars and connecting busbars lead to a busbar connected to the downstream cathode bar ends or to a riser. A part of the connecting busbar runs completely under the cell at the middle; the other part likewise runs under the cell until it is in the region of the longitudinal axis (L) where it follows this axis until it projects out beyond the end wall of the cell, and finally runs along the cell.

Abstract: With end-to-end electrolytic cells, in particular cells for producing aluminum, high investment and operating costs are incurred by the arrangement of the busbars outside the cell. The magnetic fields produced by the busbars give rise to streaming of the metal in the cell. By providing direct connections between the individual anodes and the electrically connected busbars running along the side of the cell, in a plane just above the anodes, the costs are lowered and the harmful effects of the magnetic fields diminished. A further effect countering the magnetic forces created by the busbars can be achieved by an asymmetric arrangement in which the busbars are at different distances from the cathode bar ends or by connecting an unequal number of cathode bar ends to busbars on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the cell.

Abstract: An anode is provided for use in the electrolytic deposition of aluminum at low temperatures in which the anode is the sole source of aluminum and comprises a composite mixture of an aluminous material such as aluminum oxide and a reducing agent such as carbon. Conductor means of higher electrical conductivity than the anodic mixture are provided to conduct substantially the entire anodic current to the active anode surface thereby reducing the voltage drop through the highly resistive composite mixture. The conductors may be of aluminum and sized to melt back at substantially the same rate at which the mixture is consumed. The mixture may be employed in a self-baking mode or be pre-baked. Alternatively, the mixture may be in a particulate form and contained within a porous membrane which passes the electrolyte or other dissolved material while withholding undissolved impurities. The membrane may be used with a conductor to provide bipolar electrode faces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode support system for supplying electric current to a molten salt electrolytic cell wherein a pronounced reduction or suppression of the metal wave in the cell can be achieved without increasing the interpolar distance between the metal wave and the above lying anode.The anode support system, which may comprise two horizontal anode beams which are joined together at the ends by conductor plates, is separated at least at two places and joined up again in a mechanically stable manner by means of an electrically insulating material. If the anode support system is made of a single piece then it is separated at least at one place over its whole cross section and joined up again by an insulating joint.The electrically insulated sites can be bridged in parallel by switches.

Abstract: Arrangement is disclosed for compensating detrimental magnetic influence on longitudinally oriented pots (U.sub.3) in a pot row, from the current in one or more adjacent pot rows, in plants for producing metal, for example aluminum, by electrolytic reduction of a molten bath. Two substantially symmetrical groups (k.sub.31, k.sub.32) of cathode taps located at opposite sides of the positive end of the pot, are each connected to a separate compensation bus bar (X, Y) so located in relation to the pot (U.sub.3) that they form a current loop around the cathode in a clockwise or in a counter-clockwise direction, depending upon whether a positive or a negative vertical magnetic field is to be compensated for.

Abstract: The direct electric current from a transversely disposed electrolytic cell, in particular a cell for producing aluminum, is partly conducted under the cell before being led to the anode beam of the next cell. The aluminum busbars connected to the cathode bar ends which are upstream with respect to the general direction of current flow I are led alternately, individually under the cell and collectively around the cell. On the long side of the cell, downstream with respect to direction I, the busbars which have been led individually under the cell are usefully brought together to collector bars; these are led to the anode beam of the next cell preferably together with busbars which are led around the cell and/or the busbars connected to the downstream cathode bar ends, all of which also join up with the collector bars.

Abstract: Magnesium is electrolytically produced from a salt melt comprising magnesium chloride by the use of an electrolyzer having at least one electrolysis compartment and at least one metal separating compartment separated from the electrolysis compartment by a partition wall. Magnesium chloride is fed in solid form in a direction counter current to the flow of chlorine gas liberated during electrolysis to a melting room or chamber in the electrolysis compartment arranged such that contact between the magnesium chloride and the anodes of the electrolyzer is avoided. Flow patterns are produced in the melt to ensure that sludge forming impurities in the fed magnesium chloride are continuously removed from the electrolysis compartment to the metal separating compartment.

Abstract: A data acquisition system for a hot metal handling operation uses optical transmission of data from a plurality of hot-metal stations to a control computer. Preferably the computer transmits control instructions to operators via the optical link. In an aluminium pot-line arrangement the mobile transceiver may be mounted on the service crane.

Abstract: Longitudinally arranged electrolytic cells for the production of aluminum in particular, incur high investment and operating costs due to the arrangement of the busbars outside the cells. These busbars induce magnetic fields which in turn cause stirring effects in the metal in the cell.If at least the last cathode bar ends (in terms of the direction of flow I of current) on both sides of the cell are connected via busbars to the end of the anode beam at the current ingoing end of the next cell or the other end of the anode beam, this gives rise to an asymmetry which eliminates the harmful effects of the magnetic fields and helps to lower the investment and operational costs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of current-supply buses for aluminum-producing electrolyzers arranged transversely in a row and spaced from each other. The system comprises cathode stacks, anode risers installed in the spaces provided between the electrolyzers, and anode buses for supplying current from the anode risers to electrolyzer anode systems shaped as parallelograms. At least two of the anode risers of each electrolyzer are arranged past the planes passing through the end edges or borders of the anode systems. The proportion of the anode risers so arranged is determined such as to ensure the symmetric distribution of the magnetic field intensity components.

Abstract: The electric current leaving an electrolytic aluminum reduction cell leaves the long sides of the cell via cathode bars connected to at least four asymmetrical busbars which lead to the anode beam of the next cell. These busbars which lead the current off in opposite directions are arranged on both sides of the cell at various distances, whereby however, the distances of two diametrically positioned busbars from the central axis of the cell are equal.

Abstract: A dual current supply system for aluminum-producing electrolyzers longitudinally arranged in a series-connected row comprises at least four anode risers in each space between next-adjacent electrolyzers. The system includes anode systems and anode buses electrically connected to the anode risers for supplying current from the anode risers to the anode systems. Two of the anode risers of one of a pair of next-adjacent electrolyzers are coaxially positioned in the space between the next-adjacent electrolyzers and two of the anode risers of the other of the pair of next-adjacent electrolyzers are positioned in the space between the next-adjacent electrolyzers in coplanar relation with the anode risers of the one of the next-adjacent electrolyzers. The arrangement of the anode risers enables a more uniform distribution of the magnetic field and permits the total length of the electrolyzer body and current supply buses to be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing magnetic disturbances in a series of very high intensity electrolysis cells. The device is characterized by the supply of an anode bus bar both through its two ends and through at least one central riser supplied from upstream cathode outputs and by a branch on the downstream cathode output rods of the preceding cell. Application is to the production of aluminum by electrolysis of alumina in molten cryolite.

Abstract: The vertical magnetic force lines in electrolytic reduction cells, in particular in cells for the production of aluminum, are absorbed by a device comprising the steel pot shell and a covering which covers the upper part of the cell and is magnetically connected to the steel shell. The effect of this covering is uniform over the whole of the cell. The covering is made of a magnetic material which conducts well, and it can for example be in the form of a hood, frame or cross bars.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for compensation for detrimental magnetic influence between two or more rows of transverse electrolytic pots or cells for producing aluminum, by electrolytic reduction in a molten bath, in which most of the current conducted from the rear side of a pot in the pot row to the succeeding pot in the row, is carried by two or more conductors underneath the pot. Another and smaller proportion of the current conducted to the succeeding pot in the row is conducted in its entirety around that short side of the pot which faces the magnetically dominating adjacent pot row. Preferably, this smaller proportion of the current amounts to a maximum of twenty percent of the total electrolysis current.

Abstract: A system of busbars for aluminium-producing electrolyzers located at the ends of groups of series-connected electrolyzers arranged lengthwise in at least two parallel rows, incorporates stacks of cathode buses located to the left and to the right of a longitudinal axis of each row of electrolyzers in the direction of the current flow through the electrolyzers. The system incorporates a busbar jumper connecting the busbars of the first electrolyzer located at the end of one of the two rows of electrolyzers wih the busbars of the second electrolyzer located at the end of the other of the two rows of electrolyzers.

Abstract: Metal such as aluminum is produced electrolytically from metal chlorides or other halides dissolved in a molten solvent bath of higher decomposition potential in a cell including one or more graphite cathode surfaces spaced from opposed anodes, particularly a bipolar cell, with bath flow through the spaces between the anodes and cathodes. The wetting characteristics of the carbonaceous cathode with respect to the metal deposited there by electrolysis are selectively balanced with the bath flow over the cathode and with the anode-to-cathode distance. Cathode surface wear rate is substantially reduced if the surface is wettable by the metal in regions of low bath flow velocity or regions of greater anode-cathode distance. The wear rate is also reduced by using non-wettable cathode surfaces in regions of higher bath flow velocity or regions of closer anode-cathode distance.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for compensating for detrimental magnetic horizontal fields at the plus or upstream end of longitudinally oriented pots in plants for melt-electrolytic production of aluminium, in particular where compensation for vertical magnetic influence from one pot row to another is provided for by utilizing an anode current supply to the minus or downstream end of each pot. A smaller proportion of the current supply to the minus end of the pot takes place through one or more conductors being located underneath the pot in the longitudinal direction thereof, said smaller proportion of the current supply being preferably no more than 20% of the total anode current supply.

Abstract: A means of compensating the magnetic field induced by the adjacent line in series of high intensity electrolysis cells placed in a transverse direction. A compensating conductor traversed by a direct current which induces an antagonistic field neutralizing the parasitic field of the adjacent line is arranged along each line on the internal side and/or on the external side. Excellent compensation is achieved by regulating the intensity in each conductor and the distance between the conductor and the line.Application may be to series of igneous, very high intensity electrolysis cells for the production of aluminum.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell in which a terminal cathode and a bipolar electrode located immediately adjacent the cathode are spaced apart a distance greater than the height at which molten metal produced on the cathode will accumulate before the metal begins to run off the cathode. In this manner, shorting together of the cathode and the adjacent bipolar electrode by the accumulation of molten metal is avoided under both operating and standby conditions. Under standby conditions, using the heat produced by the resistance of the anode and cathode of the cell to the flow of electrical current directed therethrough, metal tends to accumulate on at least a portion of the cathode because of a potential (voltage) difference existing between a portion of the anode and a portion of the cathode.

Abstract: A new electrolyzer for the industrial production of fluorine gas which uses bipolar and monopolar electrodes within a tank containing an electrolyte of an anhydrous mixture of mineral fluorides and hydrogen fluoride. A compact construction is achieved which requires only two current connections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of improving the current supply of electrolysis cells such as used in the production of aluminum by igneous electrolysis of alumina dissolved in cryolite, in which the cells are aligned in a lengthwise direction, allowing the harmful influence of the induced magnetic fields to be reduced.In a series, each cell is supplied with current from the preceding cell both via the head and via at least one side riser. The output of the cathode bars are divided into two separate groups, the upstream group supplying the head of the subsequent cell and the downstream group supplying the side risers of the subsequent cell. This produces a substantial improvement in the efficiency and a greater regularity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten bath of salt. The apparatus includes an electrolytic cell containing a molten bath of salt and a vertical stack of electrodes located within the bath of salt, with the uppermost electrode being located beneath the upper level of the bath. A baffle extends vertically above the uppermost electrode, the baffle being effective to direct a flow of the bath laterally and beneath the upper level of the bath, and to increase the velocity of the flow of the bath and metal between vertically adjacent electrodes of the vertical stack.

Abstract: A method of compensating the magnetic fields of adjacent rows of transversely arranged igneous electrolysis cells, in which the distribution of the current in the conductors feeding the anode of a downstream cell from the cathode of the adjacent upstream cell is modified so as to superimpose upon the cell an electrical loop which produces an additional magnetic field substantially equal to that created by the adjacent row and opposite to it in direction, wherein the electrical loop develops its compensating effect solely on the outer head of the electrolysis cell.

Abstract: The electrolyzer has a refractory-lined hollow shell divided into a group of electrolytic cells and a magnesium collecting cell by a vertical separator plate that is shorter than the shell. Steel cathodes shaped as frames embrace a graphite anodes arranged in groups. To convey magnesium from the electrolytic cells into a magnesium collecting cell, at least two passageways are provided, each of them being substantially at right angles to the graphite anodes and to the separator plate. The separator plate has through perforations situated below the electrolyte level. Each of the passageways is confined between the wall of the electrolyzer shell and the portion of the cathode that faces towards the magnesium collecting cell. The width of each of the magnesium conveyance passageways is a maximum of three times the width of the gap across the adjacent graphite anode and steel cathode in each electrolytic cell.

Abstract: Mechanism for changing anode blocks in electric furnaces for making aluminum and performing related tasks including charging the furnaces with alumina is disclosed. The mechanism includes a rotatable operator's cab carrying remotely controlled tools and alumina charging reservoirs. Both the cab and the reservoirs are translatable on the main support so as to align properly with any furnace of plural rows of furnaces.

Abstract: A process for brasquing cells for the fused electrolysis of alumina from the recovery of used brasques by treating the ground carbon-containing and refractory products of the base and walls by a known method with filtration of the insoluble constituents, distinguished by the fact that the base and lateral walls are covered by a heat-insulating bed formed by a mixture of carbon, NaF, CaF.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and CaSO.sub.4, and by the fact that the cathode resting on the heat-insulating bed and containing the electrically conductive elements is formed from a brasque paste consisting of carbon, NaF, CaF.sub.2, AlF.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 associated with a binder which may be pitch.The qualities of the aluminum obtained from this cell are unchanged in relation to conventional processes.

Abstract: Methods of switching electrical current in the operation of an electrical load device such as an electrolytic cell having at least one anode and one cathode. At least one source of electrical current is connected to the anode and cathode at two spaced apart locations thereon. One method comprises the steps of disconnecting one of the locations on the anode and on the cathode from the source of electrical current, and connecting the disconnected locations of the anode and cathode directly together so that the path of current flow to and from the source of electrical current is limited to the anode and cathode. To reconnect the anode and cathode to the source of electrical current, the directly connected locations of the anode and cathode are unconnected from each other and reconnected to the source of electrical current. In addition, the invention includes the use of an anode or cathode, exclusive of the other, as means to heat an electrolytic cell.

Abstract: In apparatus for measuring the electrical resistance of a liquid employing two parallel channels for the liquid, a single induction coil is located at one of the points of connection of the channels and a single measuring coil at the other of said points of connection. In this way, parasitic electric circuits in the liquid and mutual interaction between the coils are avoided. The coils are preferably arranged coaxially above respective circular passages connecting the parallel channels.

Abstract: Electromagnetic effects are optimized in a rectangular aluminum reduction cell arranged in series in a row of such cells with the cathode collector bars thereof extending through the cell cathode parallel to the row length by utilizing generally L-shaped cathode bus bars connecting the upstream ends of the cathode collector bars to line bus bars adjacent the cell ends, the L-shaped cathode bus bars each having one leg extending from its connectors with the upstream ends of at least one cathode collector bar beneath the cell to approximately the longitudinal cell axis and the other leg extending to the right or left generally along said longitudinal cell axis to connect with a line bus bar. The downstream ends of the cathode collector bars are arranged in conventional fashion. The present arrangement minimizes wave formation in the aluminum layer and promotes circulation of the electrolytic bath.

Abstract: A process for the production of metals by the electrolysis of metal compounds dissolved in a molten electrolyte, in particular for the production of aluminum from aluminum oxide. The electric power is passed through a multi-cell furnace with at least one inconsumable bi-polar electrode, made of electrode materials which are compatible with one another. The anions, in particular, the oxygen ions of the dissolved metal compounds have their charges removed on the surface of the electron conductive ceramic oxide anode and the metal ions, in particular the aluminum ions on the surface of the cathode which is made of another material than that used for the anode surface.

Abstract: An electrolyzer for the manufacture of magnesium, which has at least one electrolysis compartment with a cathode in the form of a frame whose members make up a closed loop around an anode in the electrolysis compartment.The present invention relates to electrolyzers for the manufacture of magnesium.Known in the art are electrolyzers for the manufacture of magnesium, comprising two compartments for the electrolysis of magnesium chloride, between which is placed a compartment to collect metallic magnesium. Between the electrolysis compartments and the collecting compartment there are partitions fabricated from refractory materials. The electrolysis compartments hold electrodes. Cathodes are provided in the form of plates with rods passing through a lining to a busbar.However the above-mentioned electrolyzer has a low production rate.