Continuous measurement of electrolyte parameters in a cell for the electrolysis of a molten charge
AssigneeSwiss Aluminium Ltd.
InventorHanspeter Alder
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Abstract
A process for the continuous measurement of the electrolyte parameters during the electrolysis of metallic compounds in particular aluminium oxide, dissolved in a melt. A measuring current of current density of at least 0.01 A/cm.sup.2 with respect to the anodic measuring surface, is passed through an anodically polarized measuring probe which has a measuring surface whch is wet by the corrosive electrolyte and which is made of an inconsumable ceramic oxide material.
Claims22
In a process for the continuous measurement of electrolyte parameters in an electrolysis cell during the production of aluminum therein by electrolysis of a melt containing an aluminum compound such as aluminum oxide, said cell having an anode and counter-electrode which carry the current for said electrolysis,
- the steps comprising:
- inserting in said melt the measuring surface of a measuring probe whereof said measuring surface is ceramic oxide, said probe having a coating of an inert refractory electrically non-conductive material around its three-phase zone and over all inward surfaces thereof outside of said measuring surface adapted to prevent contact of said melt with said probe;
- mantaining said measuring surface at a positive electrical potential with respect to a counter electrode therefor in said cell, said potential providing a current density of at least 0.01 amperes per square centimeter of measuring surface, whereby a measuring current is passed through at least a portion of said melt, and
- monitoring said measuring current and thereby determining the electrical parameters of said cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.