Method and means for application of anode covering material (ACM) in an electrolysis cell of Hall-Heroult type for aluminium production

A method of applying an anode covering material in an electrolysis cell for aluminium production, the method comprising:

• (a) providing an electrolysis cell for aluminium production, wherein the electrolysis cell is a Hall-Héroult type electrolysis cell with prebaked anodes (21),
• wherein the electrolysis cell comprises
• a cathode pot with a rectangular footprint, and
• a superstructure with a gas collecting hood that lays onto a top of the cathode pot,
• wherein a floor construction (29) at least substantially surrounds the electrolysis cell at a level below the top of the cathode pot,
• wherein ventilation openings (28) are arranged in the floor construction (29) in close vicinity to the electrolysis cell, and
• wherein the gas collecting hood of the superstructure comprises one or more removable lids (20) that are removed for giving access to the prebaked anodes (21) in the electrolysis cell through openings,
• (b) removing the one or more removable lids (20),
• (c) positioning a shuttering frame (40) with a movable shuttering plate (41) in a bottom sector of the openings, and
• (d) applying the anode covering material via a feed tube (1, 1′) to cover the prebaked anodes (21), wherein at least a part of the movable shuttering plate (41) is tilted at an angle (α) towards the prebaked anodes (21) thereby restricting anode covering material from flowing out of the openings in the electrolysis cell during application of the anode covering material such that the anode covering material is packed onto a top-side region of the prebaked anodes (21),
• wherein the angle (α) is between 30° and 60°.