Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited

Elysis Limited Partnership

Benoit Bardet

Steeve Renaudier

Olivier Martin

Christian Duval

Bruno Petitjean

Alain Noizet

Yves Rochet

Denis Laroche

Stéphane Wan Tang Kuan

Stephane Wan Tang Kuan

Sebastien Becasse

Leroy D'astolfo

John Fors

An apparatus, also named transfer box or TB, for conveying an anode assembly outside of an electrolyte cell is described. An apparatus, also named cell preheater lifting beam or CPLB, for conveying an anode assembly or a cell pre-heater outside of an electrolyte cell is also disclosed. TB and CPLB are conjointly used for starting up the electrolytic cell or for replacing a spent anode assembly while maintaining the production of non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum or aluminium. The thermal insulation of the TB allows maintaining the anode temperature homogeneity and preventing thermal shocks when introducing the inert anodes into the hot electrolytic bath. TN and CPLB allow accurate positioning of anode assemblies or cell-preheaters over the electrolysis cell before achieving mechanical and electrical connections of the anode assembly or the cell pre-heater to the electrolysis cell. Several related methods for the operation of an electrolytic cell are also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for operating an electrolytic cell

This cell () comprises a pot shell () having two longitudinal sides () which are symmetrical in relation to a longitudinal median plane (P) of the electrolytic cell (), an anode assembly which can only move in vertical translation with respect to the pot shell (), the anode assembly comprising an anode block () and a transverse anode support () extending at right angles to the longitudinal sides () of the pot shell (), from which support the anode block () is suspended. The anode support () comprises two connecting portions () from which electrolysis current is supplied to the anode support (), and the cell () comprises electrical connection conductors () electrically connected to the two connecting portions () of the anode support (), the two connecting portions () being located on either side of the plane (P).

Electrolytic cell intended for the production of aluminium and electrolytic smelter comprising this cell

A cell includes a pot shell defining an opening through which an anode block is designed to be moved, said anode block being suspended from an anode support forming with said anode block an anode assembly mobile in relation to the pot shell, and a confinement chamber defining a closed volume above said opening for the containment of the gases generated during the production of aluminum, the anode support being connected to an electrical conductor to supply an electrolysis current to the anode block, the anode assembly is fully contained in the confinement chamber, and in that the electrical connection between the mobile electrical conductor and the anode support is made within the confinement chamber.

Electrolysis tank comprising an anode assembly contained in a containment enclosure

This aluminum smelter comprises a line of electrolytic cells arranged transversely to the line, one of the cells comprising anode assemblies and electrical conductors mounted and connecting the anode assemblies. Rising and connecting conductors extend upwardly along two opposite longitudinal edges of the cell. In addition, the aluminum smelter comprises a first electrical compensating circuit extending under the cell and which can be traversed by a first compensating current in the opposite direction to that of the electrolysis current, a second electrical compensating circuit extending on one side of the line that can be traversed by a second compensating current in the same direction as the electrolysis current.

Aluminum smelter and method to compensate for a magnetic field created by the circulation of the electrolysis current of said aluminum smelter

This aluminum smelter comprises a row of cells () arranged transversely in relation to the length of the row, the cells () individually comprising an anode (), rising and connecting electrical conductors () running upwards along the two opposite longitudinal edges of the cell () to route the electrolysis current towards the anode (), and a cathode () through which pass cathode conductors () connected to cathode outputs connected to linking conductors to route the electrolysis current to the rising and connecting electrical conductors of the next cell (). Furthermore the aluminum smelter comprises a compensating electrical circuit separate from the electrical circuit through which the electrolysis current flows, running beneath the cells (), through which a compensating current may flow beneath the cells () in a direction opposite to the overall direction of flow of the electrolysis current.

Aluminium smelter comprising a compensating electric circuit

Aluminum smelter comprising electrical conductors made from a superconducting material

Growing community of inventors

Villargondran, France

Benoit Bardet