Abstract: A pyrometallurgical vessel for the production of metal by the electrolytic reduction of a metal bearing material dissolved in a molten salt bath, the cell including a shell 11 and a lining 12,13 on the interior of the shell, the lining including a bottom cathode lining 13 and a side wall lining 12, at least one of the bottom cathode lining 13 and a side wall lining 12 including a plurality of fluid ducts 16, 22, 31, 41 positioned within the lining for conducting a fluid therethrough, the flow of fluid through the ducts within the linings having 3-dimensional directional flow provided by 3-dimensional shapes inserted into the ducts or the ducts comprising a number of straight sections joined by curved sections arranged in a 3-dimensional shape, the 3-dimensional shapes of the ducts or the 3-dimensional shapes inserted into the ducts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting waste thermal energy from a pyrometallurgical vessel (1) and converting that energy to direct electrical current, the method including deriving and controlling a primary fluid flow (103) from a primary heat exchanger (10) associated with the pyrometallurgical vessel (1), providing a secondary heat exchanger (12) physically displaced from the pyrometallurgical vessel (1) which exchanges heat between the primary fluid flow (103) from the primary heat exchanger (10) and a secondary fluid flow (104). The secondary heat exchanger (12) has at least one thermoelectric or magneto-thermoelectric device having two operationally-opposed sides, the operationally-opposed sides being in thermal communication with the primary and secondary fluid flows (103,104) respectively. A temperature difference is maintained between the two operationally-opposed sides of the thermoelectric or magneto-thermoelectric device and electrical energy is generated from the temperature differential.

Abstract: A collector bar for electrical connection to a busbar system of an electrolytic cell, the collector bar being received within a recess in a cathode block of the cathode of the electrolytic cell; wherein the collector bar comprises a first conductor which electrically connects to the busbar system, the first conductor having an external surface or surfaces which electrically contact the cathode block and at least one second conductor having a lower electrical resistance to the first conductor, the second conductor being positioned on at least one external surface of the first conductor in electrical contact with the first conductor.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device (100) including a combination of thermoelectric elements (60, 62) and thermomagnetic elements (65) may be applied to a pyrometallurgical processing structure (20) whose operation generates a magnetic field. The generation and existence of the magnetic field provides an increase in the electrical energy generated over operation when the field does not exist. The device enhances overall cell efficiency by recovery of electrical energy from lost diffuse heat, while simultaneously enhancing the efficiency of the heat recovery through the effects of existing magnetic fields and improving control of freeze layer formation, in an electrolytic cell for aluminium production.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conversion of thermal energy from a surface (20) of a pyrometallurgical vessel associated with a magnetic field to electrical energy, the device comprising a thermoelectric device having at least one thermoelectric element (60) capable of converting a thermal energy differential into electrical energy whereby appropriate alignment in the magnetic field increases the ability of the thermoelectric device to generate electrical energy; and a support structure (50) engagable with the pyrometallugical vessel, the support structure being able to support the thermoelectric device in a fixed position relative to the pyrometallurgical vessel and in the associated magnetic field so that a temperature differential exists between a first side (30) and a second side (40) of the thermoelectric device.

Abstract: A collector bar for electrical connection to a busbar system of an electrolytic cell, the collector bar being received within a recess in a cathode block of the cathode of the electrolytic cell; wherein the collector bar comprises a first conductor which electrically connects to the busbar system, the first conductor having an external surface or surfaces which electrically contact the cathode block and at least one second conductor having a lower electrical resistance to the first conductor, the second conductor being positioned on at least one external surface of the first conductor in electrical contact with the first conductor.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the production of metal by electrolytic reduction of a metal bearing material dissolved in a molten salt bath, the cell including a shell, and a lining on the interior of the shell, the lining including a bottom cathode lining and a side wall lining including a plurality of fluid ducts positioned against the interior surface of the shell for conducting fluid there through, the fluid ducts extending along the sides of the shell, and communicating with pump means to flow fluid through the fluid ducts.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting anodes above a cathode in an electrolysis cell comprising a superstructure, an anode beam to which a plurality of individual anodes 24 are attached, each anode having an anode stem 26 for attachment to the anode beam by a main clamp 54, the anode beam being adjustably mounted to the superstructure, an auxiliary clamp 56 for each anode stem 26, and at least one electrical beam 50 supported by the superstructure, the electrical beam 50 having connectors 52 providing electrical connection between the electrical beam 50 and the anode stems 26.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the production of metal by electrolytic reduction of a metal bearing material dissolved in a molten salt bath, the cell including a shell, and a lining on the interior of the shell, the lining including a bottom cathode lining and a side wall lining including a plurality of fluid ducts positioned against the interior surface of the shell for conducting fluid there through, the fluid ducts extending along the sides of the shell, and communicating with pump means to flow fluid through the fluid ducts.