Systems and methods of electrolytic production of aluminum
AssigneeAlcoa USA Corp.
InventorXinghua Liu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In some embodiments, an exemplary electrolytic cell includes: a cathode structure disposed within an electrolysis cell, wherein the electrolysis cell is configured to produce metal on a surface of the cathode structure, wherein the cathode structure is configured to fit along a floor of the electrolysis cell, wherein the cathode structure has a sloped surface when compared to a generally horizontal plane, and wherein via the sloped surface, the cathode structure is configured to drain a metal product from the sloped surface towards a lower end of the cathode structure.
Claims23
An apparatus, comprising:
- a cathode structure disposed within an electrolysis cell, wherein the electrolysis cell is configured to produce metal on a surface of the cathode structure;
- wherein the cathode structure is configured to fit along a floor of the electrolysis cell;
- wherein the cathode structure comprises (a) a support member having a first wall and an opposing second wall, and (b) at least two cathode plates attached to a support member;
- wherein a first cathode plate is attached to the first wall of the support member;
- wherein a second cathode plate is attached to the second wall of the support member;
- wherein the at least two cathode plates are configured to be at least partially submerged in a molten electrolyte bath;
- wherein the cathode structure has a sloped surface when compared to a generally horizontal plane;
- wherein, via the sloped surface, the cathode structure is configured to drain a metal product from the sloped surface towards a carbon floor of the electrolysis cell.
A cathode for an aluminum electrolysis cell, the cathode comprising:
- a supporting block having at least a first wall, wherein the first wall comprises a wall angle (beta) of from 15 degrees to not greater than 89 degrees relative to vertical;
- a plurality of tiles attached to the first wall, wherein at least some of the plurality of tiles are constructed from an aluminum wettable material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.