Abstract: Collars for surrounding the nipples of an anode bar are produced from a coil of aluminium sheet material. Sheet metal strips are separated from the coil, and are then pre-shaped to substantially U-shaped parts in a bending unit. These U-shaped parts are then pushed over the nipples of the anode bar, and their overlapping ends are fixed to one another by means of a fixing device, to form closed collars.

Abstract: A mobile anode-block cleaning machine has a steerable workshop floor vehicle provided with its own propulsion system and with a cleaning cabin in which anode remnants are freed from melt incrustations with the aid of a separator. The cleaning operation is completed in a chamber, closed to the exterior, provided in the cleaning cabin, the chamber air expediently being cleaned with the aid of a filter. The machine also has a collecting chamber for the storage of the incrustations separated from the anode remnants.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning bar-mounted remnants of carbon blocks includes a machining station defining a working position. A breaking device is provided for loosening incrustations adhering to the remnants at the working position. The individual remnants are moved into the working position by a lifting table. The breaking device is constituted by two blades which are displaceable transversely of the direction of movement of the lifting table. An overhead conveyor is provided for moving the remnants into the machining station.

Abstract: Metallic anode holders are suspended by a conveyor, and moved in succession above a table supporting induction-heating coils. The coils can be raised to surround lower depending parts of the holders which may be optionally previously coated with a separating agent to prevent direct contact with the grouting subsequently applied. The associated anode carbon blocks with recesses are conveyed successively beneath a beam supporting induction-heating coils which can be lowered into the recesses which subsequently receive the parts of the holders for grouting therein. It is possible to heat the recesses and the parts of the holders in situ and simultaneously, in which case the grouting operation can be performed without letting the components cool down. Metallic cathode busbars previously installed in a recess of a carbon block are likewise conveyed beneath a beam supporting an induction-heating coil, which serves to heat the busbars and the recess prior to grouting the busbars in the recess.

Abstract: An apparatus is arranged over the bath of an electrolytic furnace containing molten aluminium.The apparatus has beams with tools which can be raised and lowered in a reciprocal manner to break-up the crust which forms on the top of the molten aluminium. Reservoirs containing alumina are also carried by the beams and serve to selectively charge quantities of alumina into the bath. Probes or lances are extendible and retractible in relation to the beams and serve to inject air into the molten aluminium.