Abstract: The present document describes an electrolytic cell comprising a protective layer comprising elemental copper covering at least in part or all of a refractory material assembly covering an interior surface thereof. Also described is a copper oxide containing composition comprising copper oxide and any one of a reducing agent and a binder. Also described is a method of protecting a refractory material assembly covering an interior surface of an electrolytic cell, comprising covering at least in part, or all of the refractory material assembly with a copper sheet, a structure comprising elemental copper, a copper oxide, an elemental copper comprising composite material, a copper oxide containing composition and combinations thereof, to provide a protective layer comprising elemental copper.

Abstract: The electrical connection device connecting the cells in series comprises: a first conductor (16) connected to the cathode assembly of cell (N?1) and to the anode frame of cell (N), having a portion (19) located between said pots (N?1) and (N) in which the current (I) flows in the direction of the alignment axis (x) of the pots; a second conductor (24) connected to the cathode assembly of cell (N) and to the anode frame of cell (N+1), having a portion (23) located between said pots (N?1) and (N) in which the current flows away from the axis. short-circuiting wedges (20, 21) housed between said portions (19, 23) of said conductors (16, 24); a third conductor (27) to balance the current flowing through the wedges.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides an electrolysis cell, which includes: an anode; a cathode block; and a current collector bar configured to be at least partially disposed adjacent to and in electrical communication with the cathode block, wherein the bar comprises: at least one sidewall; an inner void enclosed by the sidewall; and an expandable material retained in the inner void via the at least one sidewall, wherein the expandable material is configured to exert pressure on the wall of the inner void while the bar is at operating temperature, such that the bar is conformed to the cathode block.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell anode, including an encasing conductive material configured to encase a dense conductive material and define the electrolytic cell anode, wherein the dense conductive material has an electrical conductivity greater than that of the encasing conductive material.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell is suitable for production of aluminium, and includes at least one collector bar made of first metal and at least one complementary bar made of a second metal having an electrical conductivity greater than the first metal and arranged adjacent to one of the side faces of the collector bar so that the external end of the complementary bar is at a specified distance from a specified end face of the block. The second end terminates so as to limit heat losses from said cell. The cell makes it possible to obtain significantly lower voltage drops while avoiding excessive heat losses through the collector bars.

Abstract: In the method and system, a number of electrolytic cells are arranged as a cell group, which cells are separated by a number of partition walls; in each cell, a number of anodes and cathodes are arranged in an alternating order, so that in each cell, next to each anode, there is arranged a cathode, and so that in each cell, each individual anode is fitted in the same anode line with the anode of the adjacent cell, and in each cell, each individual cathode is fitted in the same cathode line with the cathode of the adjacent cell, and each anode is galvanically connected to at least one cathode of the adjacent cell. The flowing direction of the current passing in the cell group is deviated in different directions in order to make the current flow mainly in the direction of the cell group.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (50) and a method for short-circuiting a specified electrolysis in a row of electrolysis cells intended for the production of aluminum. This device includes a bridging member (60) including at least two opposite contact arms and at least one bridging conductor electrically that electrically connects the contact arms. The contact arms are shaped like a wedge. The device further includes a clasping member (70) including a frame and a least two opposite thrust members. The clasping member (70) is fit to embrace the bridging member (60) so that each thrust member bears on each contact arm and so that, upon moving the contact arms with respect to the clasping member, each thrust member urges the corresponding contact arm towards the conductors (201, 202) inserted between the contact arms, so as to create and secure a short-circuit. The invention makes it possible to short-circuit electrolysis cells with increased amperages.

Abstract: A system for producing metal particles using a discrete particle electrolyzer cathode, a discrete particle electrolyzer cathode, and methods for manufacturing the cathode. The cathode has a plurality of active zones on a surface thereof at least partially immersed in a reaction solution. The active zones are spaced from one another by between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm, and each has a surface area no less than about 0.02 square mm. The cathode is spaced from an anode also at least partially immersed in the reaction solution. A voltage potential is applied between the anode and cathode. Metal particles form on the active zones of the cathode. The particles may be dislodged from the cathode after they have achieved a desired size. The geometry and composition of the active zones are specified to promote the growth of high quality particles suitable for use in metal/air fuel cells. Cathodes may be formed from bundled wire, machined metal, chemical etching, or chemical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: For an electrolytic cell, an apparatus and method are described that use one or more sensors to measure magnetic field strength about a conductor carrying electrical current. A processor is in electrical communication with the sensors and determines a compensated magnetic field strength based on the magnetic fields of other conductors that also carry electrical current to or from the electrolytic cell. The processor uses this compensated magnetic field strength to determine the cathode electrical current carried by the conductor and to identify open and short circuits between the anodes and cathodes of the cell. The described apparatus and method account for interactions between the magnetic fields of the neighboring cathodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulation method for an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by means of reduction of alumina dissolved in a molten cryolite bath, wherein a solidified bath ridge is formed on the internal walls of the pot, a quantity B, referred to as the “ridge variation indicator”, which is sensitive to the variation of said solidified bath ridge, is determined and at least one of the setting means of the pot (such as the anode-metal distance) and/or at least one control operation (such as the addition of AlF3) is modified as a function of the value obtained for said indicator. The indicator may be determined from electrical measurements on the pot and/or from measurements of the liquid metal surface area. The method according to the invention makes it possible to regulate an electrolytic cell effectively at currents of up to 500 kA with an electrolyte bath with an AlF3 content greater than 11% and reduce the number of AlF3 content measurements in the bath considerably.

Abstract: The invention relates to a regulation method for an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by means of reduction of alumina dissolved in a molten cryolite bath and comprises the addition, in the electrolyte bath, during pre-determined time intervals p referred to as “periods”, of a determined quantity Q(p) of aluminium trifluoride (AlF3) determined by the following equation: Q(p)=Qint(p)?Qc1(p)+Qt(p), where Qint(p) is an integral (or “self-adaptive”) term which represents the total actual AlF3 requirements of the cell and which is calculated from a mean Qm(p) of the actual AlF3 supplies made during the last N periods, Qc1 is a compensating term corresponding to the so-called “equivalent” quantity of AlF3 contained in the alumina added to the cell during the period p, and Qt(p) is a corrective term which is a typically increasing function of the difference between the measured bath temperature T(p) and the set-point temperature To.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte at a temperature of less than 900° C. having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell having a liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having a bottom and walls extending upwardly from said bottom. A plurality of non-consumable anodes and cathodes are disposed in a vertical direction in the electrolyte, the cathodes having a plate configuration and the anodes having a flat configuration to compliment the cathodes. The anodes contain apertures therethrough to permit flow of electrolyte through the apertures to provide alumina-enriched electrolyte between the anodes and the cathodes. Electrical current is passed through the anodes and through the electrolyte to the cathodes, depositing aluminum at the cathodes and producing gas at the anodes.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. A plurality of non-consumable anodes are disposed substantially vertically in the electrolyte along with a plurality of monolithic hollow cathodes. Each cathode has a top and bottom and the cathodes are disposed vertically in the electrolyte and the anodes and the cathodes are arranged in alternating relationship. Each of the cathodes is comprised of a first side facing a first opposing anode and a second side facing a second opposing anode. The first and second sides are joined by ends to form a reservoir in the hollow cathode for collecting aluminum therein deposited at the cathode.

Abstract: Cathode connector means for low temperature aluminum smelting cell for connecting titanium diboride cathode or the like to bus bars.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte in an electrolytic cell having an anodic liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having an anodic bottom and walls including at least one end wall extending upwardly from the anodic bottom, the anodic liner being substantially inert with respect to the molten electrolyte. A plurality of non-consumable anodes is provided and disposed vertically in the electrolyte. A plurality of cathodes is disposed vertically in the electrolyte in alternating relationship with the anodes. The anodes are electrically connected to the anodic liner. An electric current is passed through the anodic liner to the anodes, through the electrolyte to the cathodes, and aluminum is deposited on said cathodes. Oxygen bubbles are generated at the anodes and the anodic liner, the bubbles stirring the electrolyte.

Abstract: A cell for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of an aluminium compound dissolved in a molten electrolyte, in which an outer mechanical structure forming an outer shell (21) houses therein one or more inner electrically-conductive cathode holder shells or plates (31) which contain a cathode mass (32) and is/are connected electrically to the busbar. The cathode mass (32) has an aluminium-wettable top surface (37), preferably at a slope forming a drained cathode. The inner cathode holder shell or shells (31) is/are separated from the outer shell (21) by an electric and thermic insulation (40), the cathode holder shell(s) (31) also serving to distribute current uniformly to the cathode mass (32). The or each cathode (30) formed by the cathode holder shell (31) and cathode mass (32) is removable from the cell as a unit.

Abstract: A novel electrolytic reduction cell apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of aluminum, including a copper insert inside the cathode collector bar. In one aspect, a melting allowance slot is provided. In one aspect, the copper insert resides in a slot in the collector bar, the slot having a width dimension of 0.001-0.009 inch (0.0025-0.00229 cm) or 0.1%-0.9% more than the dimension of the copper insert. In one aspect, the copper insert resides in a slot in the collector bar, the slot having a length dimension of 0.25-0.97 inch (0.635-2.5 cm) or 0.37-1.44% more than the dimension of the copper insert. In one aspect, the copper insert is located from a point proximate about 2 inches (5 cm) from the cell center to a point proximate about 69.35 inches (176 cm) from the cell center towards the first cell wall. In one aspect, the copper insert cross-section is about 0.042 to about 0.125 times the cross-sectional area of the cathode collector bar.

Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based anode (10) of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium, comprising an electrically conductive, high temperature resistant and oxidation resistant metal structure (11) in the form of a wire mesh or net, a foraminate sheet, a fibrous network, a reticulated skeletal structure, or a porous structure having voids, recesses and/or pores which are filled or partly filled with an electrochemically active filling (12), such as oxides, oxyfluorides, phosphides, carbides, cobaltites and cuprates making the surface of the anode (10) conductive and electrochemically active for the oxidation of oxygen ions present at the anode surface/electrolyte (5) interface.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism, particularly for automatically operated automotive transmissions, for engaging shift ranges of continuously variable transmissions or step-by-step variable transmissions, and having at least two independently axially movable clutch rings with clutch profiles which cooperate with respective corresponding mating clutch rings clutch profiles, a clutch carrier mounted on a transmission element for rotation therewith in a fixed axial position, and having fluid actuated pressure pistons for shifting the movable clutch rings toward the mating rings. The clutch system can be disengaged under load and requires a small construction space. It can be produced at low cost and is almost free from drag losses. Clutch times and clutch travels are short. The shift pressures are very low. In addition, several clutches can be combined into a compact and relatively small clutch assembly.