Protecting an inert anode from thermal shock
AssigneeAlcoa Inc.
InventorsAlfred F. LaCamera, Leroy E. D'Astolfo, James T. Burg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for protecting anode assemblies in an electrolytic cell from thermal shock is disclosed. The method generally involves applying a thermal insulating layer (8, 16) to the anode (2) prior to preheating the anode assembly in a furnace, where the layer (8, 16) protects the anode (2) from thermal shock during transfer from the preheat furnace to the electrolytic cell. In a preferred embodiment the anode (2) is attached to a castable plate (4) that is also protected from thermal shock by an insulating layer.
Claims17
A method for protecting from thermal shock, a ceramic inert anode used in electrolytic production of aluminum, comprising:
- (a) applying to a ceramic inert anode a thermal insulating layer having a thickness of at least about 1 mm;
- (b) heating said ceramic inert anode at a rate of between about 15° C. and 45° per hour;
- (c) transferring said heated anode to an electrolytic cell, wherein the insulating ceramic inert layer maintains the temperature of the ceramic inert anode during transfer to avoid a thermal gradient sufficient to crack the ceramic inert anode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.