Systems and Methods for Electrode Feeders and Electrode Seals

A method for feeding an electrode into a container using an electrode feeder system, comprising:

• (i) opening a fixed gripper, wherein the fixed gripper is coupled to a support frame at or near a fixed base plate;
• (ii) positioning a movable gripper at or near a lower limit switch wherein the lower limit switch is located at or near the fixed base plate, and wherein the movable gripper is coupled to one or more sliders, and the one or more sliders are coupled to the support frame;
• (iii) positioning the electrode through the fixed gripper and the movable gripper;
• (iv) closing the fixed gripper around the electrode;
• (v) positioning the movable gripper at or near an upper limit switch located at or near a top of the electrode feeder system;
• (vi) closing the movable gripper around the electrode;
• (vii) opening the fixed gripper;
• (viii) lowering the movable gripper along a length of the electrode feeder system causing the electrode to be lowered into the container;
• (ix) stopping lowering when the movable gripper comes into contact with the lower limit switch;
• (x) closing the fixed gripper;
• (xi) opening the movable gripper;
• (xii) raising the movable gripper to a position at or near the upper limit switch;
• (xiii) closing the movable gripper;
• (xiv) opening the fixed gripper;
• and
• (xv) repeating steps (viii)-(xiv) until at least one of a process occurring in the container is complete or the electrode is consumed.