Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminum (50) from alumina, comprises an inclined plate-like or grid-like open anode structure (25) which has a generally v-shaped configuration in cross-section. The anode structure (25) has a downwardly-oriented sloping electrochemically active surface that is generally v-shaped in cross-section and spaced above an upwardly-oriented corresponding sloping cathode surface (11) by an anode-cathode gap (40) in which alumina dissolved in a circulating electrolyte (60) is electrolysed. The anode structure (25) has a plurality of anode through-passages (45) distributed thereover for an up-flow of alumina-depleted electrolyte (60) from the anode-cathode gap (40).

Abstract: An anode for electrowinning of aluminium from alumina comprises a cobalt-containing metallic outer part that is covered with an integral oxide layer containing predominantly cobalt oxide CoO. The integral oxide layer can be formed by surface oxidation of cobalt from the metallic outer part before use.