Potlining to enhance cell performance in aluminum production
AssigneeEMEC Consultants
InventorRudolf Keller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an improved carbonaceous material suitable for use as a cathode in an aluminum producing electrolytic cell, the cell using an electrolyte comprised of sodium containing compounds. The carbonaceous material is comprised of carbon and a reactive compound capable of suppressing the formation or accumulation of sodium cyanide during operation of the cell, of reacting with sodium to reduce problems associated with sodium intercalation, and of reacting with one of titanium or zirconium to form titanium or zirconium diboride during operation of the cell to produce aluminum.
Claims14
An improved carbonaceous liner material in an aluminum producing electrolytic cell, said cell using an electrolyte comprised of sodium containing compounds, the carbonaceous material resistant to formation or accumulation of sodium cyanide during operation of said cell and having improved molten aluminum wetting properties, the carbonaceous material comprised of:
- (a) carbon;
- and
- (b) a reactive compound capable of reacting with titanium or zirconium to produce titanium or zirconium diboride during operation of said cell to produce aluminum, said reactive compound present to produce titanium or zirconium diboride in an amount sufficient to improve molten aluminum wetting properties of said carbonaceous material.
An improved carbonaceous ramming mix for a monolithic lining and for sealing liner components in an aluminum producing electrolytic cell, said cell using an electrolyte comprised of sodium containing compounds and said carbonaceous mix penetrable by sodium or nitrogen and resistant to formation or accumulation of sodium cyanide during operation of said cell, the carbonaceous ramming mix comprised of:
- (a) carbon;
- and
- (b) a reactive compound capable of reacting with titanium or zirconium to form titanium or zirconium diboride during operation of said cell to produce aluminum, said titanium or zirconium diboride present in an amount sufficient to improve molten aluminum wetting of said ramming mix.
An improved carbonaceous cathode for use in an aluminum producing electrolytic cell, said cell using an electrolyte comprised of sodium containing compounds, said carbonaceous cathode resistant to formation or accumulation of sodium cyanide during operation of said cell, said cathode having improved molten aluminum wetting properties, the carbonaceous cathode comprised of:
- (a) carbon;
- and
- (b) a reactive compound capable of reacting with titanium or zirconium to provide titanium or zirconium diboride during operation of said cell to produce aluminum, said titanium or zirconium diboride present in an amount sufficient to improve molten aluminum wetting properties of said carbonaceous cathode.
A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an electrolytic cell having an anode;
- (b) providing at least one of a liner and a cathode in said cell comprised of a carbonaceous material, wettable by molten aluminum, the carbonaceous material comprised of:
- (i) carbon;
- and
- (ii) a reactive compound capable of reacting with titanium or zirconium to produce titanium or zirconium diboride during operation of said cell to produce aluminum, said reactive compound present to produce titanium or zirconium diboride in an amount sufficient to improve molten aluminum wetting properties of said carbonaceous material;
- (c) dissolving alumina in said electrolyte;
- and
- (d) passing an electric current through said cell to produce aluminum at said cathode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.