# US 2012/0067719 A1 · System for the superposition of alternating current in electrolysis processes

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- Number: US 2012/0067719 A1
- Document ID: US20120067719A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/265,668
- Filed: 2010-04-23
- Published: 2012-03-22
- Earliest claimed: 2009-04-23
- Assignees: Ingenieria Y Desarrollo Tecnologico S.A.
- Inventors: Patricio Clemente Lagos Lehuede; Ricardo Armando Feuntes Fuentealba; Jorge Luis Estrada Gonzalez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120067719A1

## CPC

- C25C 1/00: Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of solutions (C25C5/00 takes precedence)
- C25C 7/00: Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells (for the production of aluminium C25C3/06 - C25C3/22)
- C25C 7/06: Operating or servicing
- C25C: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR

## Abstract

A system is submitted here that permits superimposing an alternating current in the process of electrolytic refining of metals based on the use of power semiconductors without requiring an external source and which minimizes the utilization of passive elements, achieving a high efficiency solution applicable to high power industrial processes. The invention consists of the division of the cells involved in the metals electrolysis process in two groups of cells (3a) and 3b, both comprising a similar number of anode-cathode pairings, and with both groups linked by a common point for electrical connection (6), and interconnected by means of a bidirectional power converter (7). Said power converter (7) is connected to the common point for electrical connection 6 of the groups of cells (3a, 3b) and to the other two connection points of each group of cells, so that its operation permits transferring power from one group to the other. This, the adequate operation of the bidirectional power converter permits superimposing an alternating current of variable frequency and breadth between the groups of cells, of an average value of zero, taking advantage of the storage (charge) and power supply (discharge) characteristics of the cells utilized in the electrolytic processing of metals.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system to superimposing an alternating current to the direct current that feeds the electrolytic cells in a process of metals electrolysis wherein comprising:
a. Two groups of cells, each group formed by at least one bar of anodes, one bar of cathodes and one of several anode-cathode bars wherein the connection between the anodes bar or the cathodes bar of the first group define a common connection point between the groups of cells;
b. Two sources of direct current that supply that direct current to said group of cells, each source with a negative pole connected to the cathode bar of the respective group, and a positive pole, connected to the anode bar of the respective group;
c. A bidirectional power converter that permits power to be transferred between both groups of cells, with three points for electrical connection, such that the first point of such converter is connected to said common point for connection of the groups of cells, the second point of connection of the converter being connected to the available bar between the cathode bar and the anode bar of the first group of cells, and the third point for connection of such converter being connected to the available bar between the cathode bar and the anode bar of the second group of cells;
In a manner such that the cyclic and alternating operation of each power transference cycle between the groups of cells generates an alternating current superimposed to the direct current supplied by the sources of direct current.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system for superimposing a flow of alternating current according to claim 1, wherein when the common point of connection for the groups of cells is the connection between the anodes bar of the first group and the cathodes bar of the second group, a single source of direct current whose negative pole is connected to the cathodes bar of the first group and the positive pole of single source is connected to the anodes bar of the second group.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A system to superimpose an alternating current according to claim 1, wherein the sources of direct current consist of one or several transformer-controlled rectifier systems.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A system to superimpose an alternating current according to claim 1, wherein the bidirectional power converter consists of one or several electronic power devices formed by semiconductors, condensers and inductances.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A system to superimpose an alternating current according to claim 2, wherein the fact that such sources of direct current consist of one or several transformer-controlled rectifier systems.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A system to superimpose an alternating current according to claim 2, wherein the bidirectional power converter consists of one or more electronic power devices formed by semiconductors, condensers and inductances.