Equipment for Stirring the Electrolyte in Electrolytic Production Cells

Abstract

The current systems for stirring electrolyte in the cells for the electrolytic production of metals consists of introducing into the production cells, air or compressed neutral gases at low pressure in ventilators, and distribute them in the cell by means of perforated pipes to stir the electrolyte. These pipes are firmly attached to the structure of the cell or to a supporting structure of insulating material, in the case of the newly designed cells. With use, the crystallization of salts dissolved in the electrolyte, the depositing of solids and of anodic sludge will obstruct the perforations of the pipes, limiting the circulation of the electrolyte stirring air. During the operation of the cell, breakdowns or failures occur in the ventilators, distribution ducts and perforated pipes of this system for different reasons whose reparation or cleaning implies losing production time. The generation of gases in situ by electrolysis, by the electric energization of one or more circuits of conductors placed underneath the anodes and cathodes, and mounted in the traditional cells or in an independent support structure, in which the anodes and cathodes are installed, permits the stirring of the electrolyte and the reduction of the negative effect of the boundary layer, in a simple manner and without the complications of the air injection systems. With this, the quality of the cathode deposit is also improved; and the distribution of the weight of the cathodes and the energy efficiency are improved. The production time lost during the cleaning and repairing of the air injection system is also reduced as these works are simpler to perform when the ventilators and perforated pipes are replaced by electrical conductors.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.