Abstract: The present invention relates to metallurgy of high-strength cast and wrought alloys based on aluminum, and can be used in missioncritical designs operable under load, in the transport field, sports industry, casings for electronic devices, and other industrial sectors. The technical result aims to enhance mechanical characteristics of articles produced from the alloy by precipitation hardening caused by secondary phases in the age-hardening process while providing high workability during casting. The claimed high-strength alloy comprises zinc, magnesium, nickel, iron, copper, zirconium, and at least one metal selected from a group consisting of titanium, scandium and chromium, with the following amounts in, wt %: zinc 3.8-7.4; magnesium 1.2-2.6; nickel 0.5-2.5; iron 0.3-1.0; copper 0.001-0.25; zirconium 0.05-0.2; titanium 0.01-0.05; scandium 0.05-0.10; chromium 0.04-0.

Abstract: The invention relates to vertical or inclined electrodes of an electrolyzer for electrolytically producing aluminum from aluminum oxide. An electrode contains an electrode base and a surface coating based on refractory ceramics. According to a first variant of the invention, the electrode base is made of a composite material containing between 5% and 90% by mass of refractory ceramics, and of at least one metal having a melting temperature exceeding 1000° C., which forms refractory intermetallic compounds upon interaction with aluminum, and/or containing at least one alloy of such a metal. According to a second variant of the invention, the electrode base is made of a metal alloy, for example structural steel or another alloy, and the surface of the electrode base has applied thereto an intermediary layer consisting of a composite material having the composition described above.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for producing an aluminum-scandium alloy comprising 0.41-4 wt % of scandium which can be used in industrial production setting. The method is carried out by melting aluminum and a mixture of salts comprising sodium, potassium and aluminum fluorides followed by performing simultaneously, while continuously supplying scandium oxide, an aluminothermic reduction of scandium from its oxide and an electrolytic decomposition of the formed alumina. Periodically, at least a portion of the produced alloy is removed, aluminum is then charged, and the process of alloy production is continued while supplying scandium oxide. Also disclosed is a reactor for producing an aluminum-scandium alloy pursuant to the methods described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to the electrolytic production of aluminum, namely to the devices for feeding electrolytic cells, and can be used to feed alumina, aluminum fluoride, crushed electrolyte to electrolytic cells for producing aluminum. A device for feeding an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum comprises a hopper, a metering chamber with loading windows located around a perimeter of an upper part of the metering chamber above the hopper base, a valve stem with a pneumatic actuator, an upper locking element rigidly fixed to the valve stem at the upper part of the metering chamber, wherein the upper locking element is positioned between upper and lower edges of loading windows, when the stem is in an upper position, and a lower locking element is mounted on an end of the valve stem.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a scandium-containing concentrate from the wastes of alumina production and extracting high-purity scandium oxide from the same. Provided is a method for producing a scandium-containing concentrate from a red mud, wherein the Sc2O3 content therein is least of 15 wt. %, the TiO2 content not more than 3 wt. %, the ZrO2 content not more than 15 wt. %, and wherein scandium in the concentrate is in form of a mixture of Sc(OH)3 hydroxide with ScOHCO3.4H2O. Also provided is a method for producing high-purity scandium oxide, with a purity of approximately 99 wt. %.

Abstract: This invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to a device and method for electrolyte composition analysis based on differential thermal measurements for aluminum electrolysis control. The device is comprised of a metal body including a reference material and an electrolyte sample receptacle, temperature sensors immersed into the reference material and in an electrolyte sample, a system for registration, data processing, and visualization of obtained results. A method includes immersing a metal body into an electrolyte; filling a receptacles with the molten electrolyte; removing and cooling down the metal body having the filled receptacle above a crust on the molten electrolyte surface; drawing and analyzing differential-thermal curves based on which the liquidus temperature, electrolyte superheating and phase and blend compositions of electrolyte solid samples are determined taking into account all crystallizing phases the content of which in the electrolyte sample is no less than 3 wt %.

Abstract: The invention concerns non-ferrous metallurgy, in particular the composition of an electrolyte for electrically obtaining aluminum by the electrolysis of fluoride melts. The electrolyte proposed contains, in % by weight: sodium fluoride 26-43, potassium fluoride up to 12, lithium fluoride up to 5, calcium fluoride 2-6, alumina 2-6, aluminum fluoride and admixtures—the remainder. The technical result is to increase the solubility of alumina in the electrolyte at a temperature of 830-930° C. In the electrolyte being applied for, the carbon and inert electrode materials are not destroyed, and the use of special methods to purify the aluminum of melt components is not required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to the process equipment for electrolytic production of primary aluminum, namely to methods for lining cathode assemblies of reduction cells. A method for lining a cathode of a reduction cell for production of aluminum includes filling a cathode device shell with a thermal insulation layer and leveling said layer; filling, leveling and compacting a refractory layer; installing bottom and side blocks followed by sealing joints therebetween with a cold ramming paste. Prior to filling a shell bottom with the thermal insulation layer, a layer of fine carbonized particles is formed. The inventive method for lining a cathode assembly of a reduction cell for production of primary aluminum allows to reduce the cost of lining materials and energy consumption for reduction cell operation by means of improved heat resistance of a base and to increase the service life of reduction cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to the process equipment for electrolytic production of primary aluminum, namely to methods for lining cathode assemblies of reduction cells. The method for lining a cathode assembly of a reduction cell for production of aluminum comprises filling a cathode assembly shell with a thermal insulation layer, forming a fire-resistant layer followed by the compaction of layers, installing bottom and side blocks followed by sealing joints therebetween with a cold ramming paste. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a resilient element made of a dense organic substance is placed between the thermal insulation layer and the fire-resistant layer. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, a flexible graphite foil is placed between the thermal insulation layer and the fire-resistant layer, and under the flexible graphite foil, a resilient element made of a dense organic substance is placed.

Abstract: The invention concerns non-ferrous metallurgy, particularly an anode for electrolytically obtaining aluminum by the electrolysis of fluoride melts. The anode for obtaining aluminum by means of the electrolysis of melts at a temperature of less than 930° C. consists of a base executed of an alloy containing 65-96%wt of iron, less than 35%wt of copper, less than 20%wt of nickel, and one or several additives from molybdenum, manganese, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, vanadium, zirconium, niobium, chromium, aluminum (less than 1%wt) cobalt, cerium, yttrium, silicon, and carbon totaling less than 5%, and a protective oxide layer comprising iron oxides and complex oxides of iron, copper, and nickel. The protective oxide layer on the anode surface is obtained by preliminary oxidation in air at a temperature of 850-1050° C. or subsequently in the electrolysis process by oxidation with oxygen evolving at the anode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to the electrolytic production of aluminum, more particularly to a structure of a cathode assembly of a reduction cell for production of aluminum. A lining of a cathode assembly of an aluminum reduction cell is provided which comprises a thermal insulation layer and a fire-resistant layer consisting of no less than two sub-layers, wherein the porosity of the thermal insulation layer and the fire-resistant layer increases from an upper sub-layer to a bottom sub-layer and the thickness ratio of the fire-resistant layer and the thermal insulation layer is no less than ?. Also, the present invention provides a method for lining a cathode assembly of a reduction cell and a reduction cell having the claimed cathode assembly lining.

Abstract: This invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to a device and method for electrolyte composition analysis based on differential thermal measurements for aluminum electrolysis control. The device is comprised of a metal body including a reference material and an electrolyte sample receptacle, temperature sensors immersed into the reference material and in an electrolyte sample, a system for registration, data processing, and visualization of obtained results. A method includes immersing a metal body into an electrolyte; filling a receptacles with the molten electrolyte; removing and cooling down the metal body having the filled receptacle above a crust on the molten electrolyte surface; drawing and analyzing differential-thermal curves based on which the liquidus temperature, electrolyte superheating and phase and blend compositions of electrolyte solid samples are determined taking into account all crystallizing phases the content of which in the electrolyte sample is no less than 3 wt %.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for lining the cathode of the electrolytic cell. The method comprises filling the cell's shell with powder material, leveling it with a rack, covering the fill material with a dust-proof film, and compaction. Compaction is performed in two stages: preliminary static and final dynamic treatment by consequent movement of static and dynamic work tools of compaction along the longitudinal axis of the cathode of the electrolytic cell through a cushion, which is made of at least 2 layers: a lower layer, which prevents pushing powder material forward in the direction of travel, and an upper layer, which provides for a coupling between the cushion and the static work tool. Static treatment unit of the apparatus is designed in the form of a roller with a drive, connected to a dynamic treatment unit with a vibratory exciter by means of elastic elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy and may be suitable for controlling the feed of alumina to electrolytic cells for producing aluminum to maintain the alumina concentration in the electrolytic melt equal or close to the saturation value. To maintain the alumina concentration within the set range, reduced voltage U or pseudo-resistance R is measured and recorded at fixed time intervals. Underfeeding or overfeeding phases occur compared to a theoretical alumina feeding rate during electrolysis, wherein the duration of underfeeding phases is based on the alumina concentration in the electrolytic melt, and the duration of overfeeding phases is based on the change of one or more electrolytic cell parameters being recorded: reduced voltage, U, pseudo-resistance, R, rates of reduced voltage, dU/dt, pseudo-resistance, dR/dt, change. Adjustments to the anode-cathode distance to maintain the electrolytic cell energy balance may be performed during any of the feeding phases.

Abstract: A method for combined rolling and extruding of cast billet is proposed. When implementing the method for combined rolling and extruding of metals or alloys, a cast billet with a predetermined temperature is fed to the working gauge, in which it is rolled and then to the die, through which the cast billet is extruded. When the cast billet is fed into the working gauge, a cladding layer of metal or alloy is created on the surfaces of the rolls by extruding the cast billet through the gaps formed between the surfaces of the rolls and the die. This invention makes it possible to improve the quality of the resulting products, as well as to increase the efficiency of the process as a whole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a scandium-containing concentrate from the wastes of alumina production and extracting high-purity scandium oxide from the same. Provided is a method for producing a scandium-containing concentrate from a red mud, wherein the Sc2O3 content therein is least of 15 wt. % (in terms of dry matter), the TiO2 content not more than 3 wt. % (in terms of dry matter), the ZrO2 content not more than 15 wt. % (in terms of dry matter), and wherein scandium in the concentrate is in form of a mixture of Sc(OH)3 hydroxide with ScOHCO3×4H2O. Also provided is a method for producing high-purity scandium oxide, with a purity of approximately 99 wt. %.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrowinning of aluminum from cryolite-alumina melts, and can be used in the shunt design of a cathode assembly. In an aluminum electrolysis cell, cathode vertical metal shunts, are designed such that their top part is melted aluminum, and the bottom part is solid aluminum. Shunts are located in conduits made in a hearth slab lining which has a widening in the middle part which is wider than both parts of the shunts. The widening in the shunt conduit can be filled with a composite material, i.e. titanium diboride-carbon. The shunts can be designed as a tube, and the widening in the conduit and the space inside the tube can be filled with the composite material titanium diboride-carbon. The invention makes it possible to increase the electrical efficiency due to the absence of contact assemblies, reduced current loss, and achieving an effective current distribution and current shunting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to the process equipment for electrolytic production of primary aluminum, namely to methods for lining cathode assemblies of reduction cells. A method for lining a cathode of a reduction cell for production of aluminum includes filling a cathode device shell with a thermal insulation layer and leveling said layer; filling, leveling and compacting a refractory layer; installing bottom and side blocks followed by sealing joints therebetween with a cold ramming paste. Prior to filling a shell bottom with the thermal insulation layer, a layer of fine carbonized particles is formed. The inventive method for lining a cathode assembly of a reduction cell for production of primary aluminum allows to reduce the cost of lining materials and energy consumption for reduction cell operation by means of improved heat resistance of a base and to increase the service life of reduction cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of metallurgy of high-strength cast and wrought alloys based on aluminum, and can be used for producing articles used in mission-critical designs operable under load, as well as in the transport field, sports industry and sports equipment, for producing casings for electronic devices, and in other engineering industries and industrial sectors. The technical result aims to enhance mechanical characteristics of the articles produced from the alloy by virtue of the precipitation hardening caused by the formation of secondary phases in the process of the age hardening while providing high workability during casting ingots and castings. The claimed high-strength alloy based on aluminum comprises zinc, magnesium, nickel, iron, copper, and zirconium, wherein it further comprises at least one metal selected from a group comprising titanium, scandium and chrome, with the following component ratios, wt %: zinc 3.8-7.4; magnesium 1.2-2.6; nickel 0.5-2.5; iron 0.3-1.0; copper 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to producing aluminum by electrolysis of a melt and can be used in the process control of an electrolyte composition by quantitative X-ray phase analysis (XRD) of potassium-containing electrolyte with calcium or calcium and magnesium additives. A quantitative XRD method is employed for analyzing doped samples of crystallized bath samples taken from baths. A weighted ground bath sample is mixed with a weighted quantity of sodium fluoride at a ratio, for example, 1:2 by weight. The weighted quantities are mixed and placed in a furnace (650-750° C. for 20-40 minutes) to dissolve sodium fluoride in the sample and recrystallize the sample with the desired phase composition. The doped sample is placed in a furnace (420-450° C) and held for 15-30 minutes. The doped sample is removed from the furnace and allowed to air cool. The phase composition of the doped sample is analyzed by any quantitative X-ray phase method.