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US 6,419,813 B1Granted
Cathode connector for aluminum low temperature smelting cell
AssigneeNorthwest Aluminum Technologies
InventorsCraig W. Brown, Theodore R. Beck, Patrick B. Frizzle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Cathode connector means for low temperature aluminum smelting cell for connecting titanium diboride cathode or the like to bus bars.
Claims19
A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a molten salt electrolyte having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell containing said electrolyte;
- (b) providing a plurality of non-consumable anodes disposed in said electrolyte and a plurality of cathodes disposed in said electrolyte;
- (c) connecting said cathodes to bus bar outside said cell using a connection means comprising:
- (i) a flexible metal strap having a first end electrically connected to said bus bar;
- and
- (ii) a collector bar comprised of an electrically conductive, dimensionally stable material resistant to attack by electrolyte and by molten aluminum, said collector bar having a first end having a metal cap cast thereon to provide electrical contact with said collector bar, said flexible strap having a second end electrically connected to said metal cap, said collector bar having a second end electrically connected to said cathode underneath the surface of said electrolyte;
- (c) passing an electric current through said anodes, through said electrolyte to said cathodes, and through said connection means to said bus bar thereby depositing aluminum on said cathodes;
- and
- (d) collecting molten aluminum from said cathodes.
6 more elements
A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a molten salt electrolyte having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell containing said electrolyte;
- (b) providing a plurality of non-consumable anodes disposed in said electrolyte and a plurality of cathodes disposed in said electrolyte, said cathodes comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium diboride, zirconium boride, molybdenum, titanium carbide and zirconium carbide;
- (c) connecting said cathodes to bus bar outside said cell using a connection means comprising:
- (i) a metal strap having a first end electrically connected to said bus bar;
- and
- (ii) a collector bar comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of titanium diboride, zirconium boride, molybdenum, titanium carbide and zirconium carbide, said collector bar having a first end having an aluminum cap cast thereon to provide electrical contact with said collector bar, said metal strap having a second end electrically connected to said aluminum cap, said collector bar having a second end projecting underneath a surface of said electrolyte and electrically connected to said cathode;
- (c) passing an electric current through said anodes, through said electrolyte to said cathodes, and through said connection means to said bus bar thereby depositing aluminum on said cathodes;
- and
- (d) collecting molten aluminum from said cathodes.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.