Electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum

An electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum comprising in combination,

• an electrolyte disposed at a predetermined level in the cell, said electrolyte including ions selected from the group consisting of chlorides, fluorides or mixtures thereof,
• a cathode immersed in the electrolyte presenting a surface for electrolytic winning of molten aluminum,
• an anode comprising a body of an anodic mixture of an oxygen containing compound of aluminum and an electrically conductive reducing agent held together in anodic contact which serves as the sole source of aluminum ore and is consumable in the elctrolytic production of aluminum,
• said anode including at least a portion thereof immersed in the electrolyte with at least one active surface of said portion positioned in opposed relationship to but spaced from the surface of said cathode for providing an active anode surface at which the aluminum oxide may be converted to aluminum ions recoverable as said molten aluminum at the opposing surface of said cathode,
• conductor means of higher electrical conductivity than said anodic mixture,
• said conductor means extending internally through the said portion of said anodic mixture below the level of said electrolyte and having an end thereof positioned at least approximately adjacent said one active surface for providing short, low resistant current paths from said end of said conductor means through the mixture to said active surface,
• means for connecting a source of electrical power to said conductor means and said cathode,
• said conductor means being of a material and cross-section for conducting substantially the entire anodic current directly from said power source to at least the mixture adjacent the end of said conductor means and to said active surface while maintaining the end of said conductor means relative to said active anode surface substantially unchanged as said anodic mixture at said active surface is consumed in the electrolytic process.