Cell for aluminium electrowinning employing a cathode cell bottom made of carbon blocks which have parallel channels therein

An electrolytic cell for the electrowinning of aluminum from alumina dissolved in a halide-containing molten electrolyte, having a cathode cell bottom made of a series of carbon cathode blocks connected side-by-side, each one having a top surface and side and bottom surfaces, each said block provided with centrally-located steel or other conductive bars for the delivery of current, and a series of anodes facing the cathode cell bottom, in which the top surface of the carbon blocks forming the cathode cell bottom are provided with a series of parallel channels or grooves along the direction of said conductive bars, wherein said channels or grooves are formed between adjacent carbon cathode blocks by bevels, cutouts or inclines on the top surface of said carbon cathode blocks, wherein said channels or grooves are arranged about said centrally-located conductive bars, and wherein said channels or grooves are covered in use by a pool or a layer of molten aluminum.