# US 2021/0277532 A1 · Electrolytic cell assemblies and methods for periodic vertical displacement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0277532 A1 - Document ID: US20210277532A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/321,617 - Filed: 2017-07-31 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-29 - Assignees: Pultrusion Technique Inc. - Applicants: Pultrusion Technique Inc. - Inventors: Robert DUFRESNE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210277532A1 ## CPC - 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 - B66C 1/62: comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled - Y02P 10/20: Recycling - C25C: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract An electrolytic cell assembly for hydrometallurgical refining of metal and related method for lifting thereof. The cell assembly comprises a rectangular base for contacting a floor; four walls extending upward from the rectangular base and defining an electrolysis cavity for receiving electrolyte and electrodes; anchor apertures provided through the base and/or the walls for providing anchor points for lifting the electrolytic cell assembly off of the floor; and plugs and/or protective layer for plugging and/or covering the anchor apertures to seal the electrolysis cavity during hydrometallurgical refining. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrolytic cell assembly for hydrometallurgical refining of metal, comprising: an electrolytic cell comprising: a rectangular base for contacting a floor, and four walls extending upward from the rectangular base and defining an electrolysis cavity for receiving electrolyte and electrodes; and at least two anchor assemblies for lifting the electrolytic cell assembly off of the floor, each anchor assembly comprising an anchor aperture located in the base and/or the walls for providing anchor points. ### Claim 2 (canceled) ### Claim 3 (canceled) ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein each anchor assembly further comprises a protective layer for covering at least the anchor aperture and sealing the electrolysis cavity during hydrometallurgical refining. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (canceled) ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein each anchor assembly further comprises a plug for plugging the anchor aperture and sealing the electrolysis cavity during hydrometallurgical refining. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor aperture comprises: a central opening used to inert lifting elements; and a reinforcement structure defining the central opening. ### Claim 10 (canceled) ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug has a body portion with an outer surface that contacts the corresponding anchor aperture in a fluid-sealing fashion. ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 13, wherein the body portion has a central conduit for receiving a pin which comprises a fastener provided at a lower end of a stem for fastening the pin to the body portion. ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 17 (canceled) ### Claim 18 (canceled) ### Claim 19 (canceled) ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 15, wherein the central conduit passes partially through a center of the body portion to receive a connector member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 15, wherein the plug comprises a nut assembly having a nut canalization, the nut assembly being sunk in the plug so as to align the nut canalization and the central conduit. ### Claim 22 (canceled) ### Claim 23 (canceled) ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor aperture comprises: a canalization used to inert lifting elements; and an anchor fastener mounted about the base and/or the walls of the cell, the anchor fastener having a body defining the canalization. ### Claim 25 (canceled) ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 24, wherein the anchor fastener further comprise a distal plate provided at a distal end of the body, and a proximal flange provided about a proximal portion of the body. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 24, wherein a plug is configured to be inserted into the canalization of the anchor aperture, the plug having a body portion with an outer surface that contacts the corresponding canalization in a fluid-sealing fashion. ### Claim 28 (canceled) ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 24, wherein the anchor fastener is embedded within or welded onto the wall or the base of the electrolytic cell. ### Claim 30 (canceled) ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor assembly has a structure to provide a flush surface with respect to an interior surface of the surrounding wall and/or base. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The electrolytic cell assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the rectangular base and four walls comprise a reinforcement assembly which is embedded therein and configured to provide structural support proximal to each anchor assembly. ### Claim 33 (canceled) ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The electrolytic cell assembly according to claim 32, wherein the reinforcement assembly comprise a plurality of elongated rebars which are space apart from each other to confine a corresponding anchor assembly. ### Claim 35 (canceled) ### Claim 36 (canceled) ### Claim 37 (canceled) ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) A method for lifting an electrolytic cell assembly for hydrometallurgical refining of metal as defined in claim 1, the method comprising: coupling a lifting mechanism to the anchor apertures; and vertically lifting the electrolytic cell assembly to a lifted position. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the coupling includes screwing or bolting a lifting element within each anchor aperture. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the coupling includes passing a lifting element through each anchor aperture. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The method of claim 40, wherein the lifting element is a strap, belt, or analogs thereof, the lifting element being pulled by a lifting machine. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, comprising removing the plug and/or protective layer from each anchor aperture, before the coupling step. ### Claim 43 (canceled) ### Claim 44 (canceled) ### Claim 45 (canceled) ### Claim 46 (canceled) ### Claim 47 (canceled) ### Claim 48 (canceled)