Apparatuses and systems for vertical electrolysis cells
AssigneeAlcoa USA Corp.
InventorsBenjamin D. Mosser, Lance M. Sworts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, the disclosed subject matter relates to an electrolytic cell that has: a cell reservoir; a cathode support retained on a bottom of the cell reservoir, wherein the cathode support contacts at least one of: a metal pad and a molten electrolyte bath within the cell reservoir, wherein the cathode support includes: a body having a support bottom, which is configured to be in communication with the bottom of the electrolysis cell; and a support top, opposite the support bottom, having a cathode attachment area configured to retain a at least one cathode plate therein.
Claims40
An electrolytic cell, comprising:
- a cell reservoir;
- a cathode support retained on a bottom of the cell reservoir, wherein the cathode support contacts at least one of:
- a metal pad and a molten electrolyte bath within the cell reservoir,
- wherein the cathode support includes:
- a body having a support bottom, which is configured to be in communication with the bottom of the electrolysis cell, and a support top, opposite the support bottom, having a cathode attachment area configured to retain a at least one cathode plate therein.
A method for producing aluminum metal by the electrochemical reduction of alumina, comprising:
- (a) passing current between an anode and a cathode through an electrolytic bath of an electrolytic cell, the cell comprising:
- (i) a cell reservoir,
- (ii) a cathode support retained on a bottom of the cell reservoir, wherein the cathode support contacts at least one of:
- a metal pad and a molten electrolyte bath within the cell reservoir,
- wherein the cathode support includes:
- a body having a support bottom, which is configured to be in communication with the bottom of the electrolysis cell;
- and a support top, opposite the support bottom, having a cathode attachment area configured to retain a at least one cathode plate therein;
- and
- (b) feeding a feed material into the electrolytic cell.
An electrolytic cell, comprising:
- a cell reservoir;
- a cathode support retained on a bottom of the cell reservoir;
- a cathode plate retained on the cathode support, wherein the cathode plate has an edge that is configured to mechanically interlock with adjacent cathode plates.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.