Advanced aluminum electrolysis cell

An electrolytic cell, comprising:

• at least one anode module having a plurality of anodes, wherein each of the plurality of anodes is an oxygen-evolving electrode;
• at least one cathode module, opposing the anode module, wherein the at least one cathode module comprises a plurality of vertical cathodes,
• wherein each of the plurality of anodes and each of the plurality of vertical cathodes have surfaces thereon that are vertically oriented and spaced one from another,
• wherein the cathodes are wettable by molten aluminum, and wherein the at least one cathode module is coupled to a bottom of the electrolytic cell;
• a cell reservoir;
• an electrolyte disposed within the cell reservoir;
• and
• a cell bottom supporting the cathode module,
• wherein the cell bottom comprise an first upper surface, a second upper surface, and a channel,
• wherein the plurality of vertical cathodes extends upward from the upper surfaces,
• wherein the plurality of vertical cathodes are completely submerged in the electrolyte,
• wherein at least one cathode block is located below the plurality of vertical cathodes,
• wherein the first upper surface and the second upper surface are configured to direct substantially all of the liquid aluminum produced in the electrolytic cell to the channel, and
• wherein the channel is configured to receive liquid aluminum from the upper surfaces.