Cathode collector bar with spacer for improved heat balance and method
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorsGraham E. Homley, Claude Gauthier, Louise Pearson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrolytic cell for aluminum production, including a cell wall, a bus bar, a carbonaceous cathode block, and a collector bar connecting the bus bar with the cathode block. The collector bar comprises a ferrous metal body including a solid spacer and a sheath defining a cavity containing a copper insert. The spacer has an external end portion connected with the bus bar and an internal end portion that is preferably spaced inwardly of the cell wall. The spacer separates the copper insert from the bus bar, thereby reducing heat loss from the cell.
Claims17
An electrolytic reduction cell for aluminum production, comprising a cell wall, a bus bar external to said cell wall, an anode, a carbonaceous cathode block separated from said anode, and a collector bar connecting said bus bar with said cathode block, said collector bar comprising:
- (a) a ferrous metal body comprising
- 1) a solid, ferrous metal spacer having an external end portion connected with said bus bar and an internal end portion spaced inwardly of said external end portion, and
- 2) a ferrous metal sheath defining a cavity, and
- (b) a copper insert inside said cavity, said copper insert having an external end adjacent said spacer.
A method for producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell having cell walls defining a chamber containing a molten salt bath, an anode contacting the bath, and a bus bar outside the cell walls, said method comprising:
- a) providing a cathode assembly comprising
- 1) a carbonaceous cathode block separated from the anode,
- 2) a ferrous metal body comprising a solid, ferrous metal spacer having an external end portion connected with said bus bar and an internal end portion spaced inwardly of said external end portion, and a ferrous metal sheath defining a cavity, and
- 3) a copper insert inside said cavity, said copper insert having an external end adjacent said spacer, and
- b) passing an electric current from the anode to the cathode assembly, thereby to produce aluminum in said cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.