Inert anode designs for reduced operating voltage of aluminum production cells
OwnerAlfred F. LaCamera, Xinghua Liu +3inventors
InventorsAlfred F. LaCamera, Xinghua Liu, David J. Roha, James T. Burg, Robert L. Kozarek
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Abstract
Inert anodes useful in electrolytic aluminum production cells are disclosed. The inert anodes have sloped bottom surfaces with controlled bubble release angles. In one embodiment, the bottom surface is substantially conical with a bubble release angle of up to 30 degrees. The cross-sectional size of the inert anodes is also controlled in order to maximize efficiency of the cells. The inert anodes may be provided in arrays in aluminum production cells in order to achieve commercial cell currents.
Claims49
An inert anode for use in an electrolytic aluminum production cell, the inert anode comprising a bottom surface including a region that is upwardly sloped from an interior portion to an exterior portion of the inert anode, wherein the upwardly sloped region has a bubble release angle of up to about 30 degrees.
An inert anode for use in an electrolytic aluminum production cell, the inert anode comprising a substantially conical bottom surface having a bubble release angle of from about 5 to about 30 degrees.
An array of inert anodes for use in an electrolytic aluminum production cell, the array comprising a plurality of inert anodes comprising a bottom surface including a region that is upwardly sloped from an interior portion to an exterior portion of the inert anode, wherein the upwardly sloped region has a bubble release angle of up to about 30 degrees.
An electrolytic aluminum production cell comprising:
- a molten salt bath comprising an electrolyte and aluminum oxide;
- a cathode;
- and
- an inert anode comprising a bottom surface including a region that is upwardly sloped from an interior portion to an exterior portion of the inert anode, wherein the upwardly sloped region has a bubble release angle of up to about 30 degrees.
A method of producing aluminum comprising:
- passing current between an inert anode and a cathode through a molten salt bath comprising an electrolyte and aluminum oxide;
- and
- controlling flow of oxygen bubbles generated at a surface of the inert anode by providing the inert anode with a bottom surface including a region that is upwardly sloped from an interior portion to an exterior portion of the inert anode, wherein the upwardly sloped region has a bubble release angle of up to about 30 degrees.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.