Electrolytic cell with improved feed device

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding tube is substantially linear or gradually curved.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding means comprise a plurality of tubular end portions, each end portion having a substantially horizontal axial direction and an end opening arranged to deliver the particulate from the feeding tube over the molten electrolyte substantially along the axial direction of the tubular end portion.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding means comprise a plurality of feeding tube, each having a tubular end portion with an end opening for delivering the particulate.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding means are arranged to fluidise the particulate in the feeding tube and to feed the fluidised particulate through the end opening of the end portion over the molten electrolyte.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding means are arranged to feed and disperse the particulate over substantially the entire molten electrolyte.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding tube extends into the cell trough through a cell sidewall.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding means comprise a fan or a blower for driving the particulate along the feeding tube and through the end opening.

The cell of any preceding claim, wherein the feeding means comprise a heater arranged to heat the particulate before it is delivered from the end opening over the molten electrolyte.

The cell of any preceding claim, which is an aluminium electrowinning cell and wherein the molten electrolyte is a fluoride-based electrolyte.

A method of electrowinning a metal from a compound thereof dissolved in a substantially crustless molten electrolyte comprising:

• feeding particulate of the metal compound into and along a feeding tube having a tubular end portion with an axial direction extending substantially horizontally over the substantially crustless molten electrolyte and delivering the particulate through an opening in the tubular end portion over the molten electrolyte where it is dissolved and then electrolysed to produce said metal,
• said method being characterised by delivering the particulate over the substantially crustless molten electrolyte from the feeding tube substantially along said axial direction of the tubular end portion through said opening which is located at an end of the tubular end portion.

A cell for the electrowinning of a metal from a compound thereof dissolved in a molten electrolyte, comprising means for feeding a particulate of the metal compound to the molten electrolyte, the feeding means comprising at least one feeding tube having a tubular end portion which is located above the molten electrolyte and which has a substantially horizontal axial direction, said feeding means being arranged to feed said particulate into the feeding tube, along the feeding tube and through an opening in the tubular end portion from where it is delivered over the molten electrolyte,

• characterised in that said opening is located at an end of the tubular end portion and is arranged to deliver the particulate from the feeding tube over the molten electrolyte substantially along the axial direction of the tubular end portion.