Reynolds Metals Company

Other

Nolan E Richards

Alton T Tabereaux

Thomas J Johnston

John T Willett

Curtis J McMinn

Howard I Kaplan

Jerry H Bryce

Douglas V Stewart

Ray D Peterson

Helge O Forberg

Euel R Cutshall

Roger D White

Robert Downie

Jan M Pottinger

Method of removal of light metals from aluminum

A method of reducing the airburning tendency of petroleum coke and carbon anodes made therefrom includes calcining the coke and spray quenching the calcined coke with an additive-containing water. The additive includes an effective amount of a compound of aluminum which is soluble in the quench water. The additive is deposited on the quenched coke product surface and protects the coke from oxidation or premature combustion when in contact with the atmosphere at high temperatures. The additive-coated coke can then be formed into an anode which also has a reduced tendency to airburn during use in a high temperature environment such as an aluminum reduction cell or an electric furnace operation.

Method of reducing airburning in petroleum coke

An electrolysis cell for producing metals by electrolytic reduction of molten baths which includes non-consumable inert anodes and refractory hard metal cathode elements. The cathode elements are replaceably mounted in the electrolysis cell and have inclined planar working surfaces which have grooves therein. A method for producing metals by use of the electrolysis cell includes utilizing the grooves to control the release of anode gases.

Alumina reduction cell

The density of various refractory hard metal articles are controlled so that articles made from the refractory hard metals are able to float on the surface of molten aluminum. Floating such articles on aluminum has been found to both stabilize and protect the surface of molten aluminum. Floating cathodes for use in aluminum reduction cells is a particular application for the floating refractory hard metals.

Refractory hard metal shapes for aluminum production

A mold for the casting of aluminum sow ingots includes a mold box having a bottom wall and side walls that define a generally rectangular mold cavity. The bottom wall includes a central raised longitudinally extending protrusion and side longitudinally extending protrusions adapted to define corresponding depressions in the ingot bottom. The side depressions establish ledges for receiving a pair of fork lift blades or tines entering the ledges from either transverse side of the ingot perpendicular to the ledges. A pair of transversely extending protrusions in the mold bottom wall establish corresponding transverse depressions in the mold bottom that are perpendicular to the central longitudinal depression and equispaced from the central transverse axis by a distance enabling the pair of fork lift blades to enter the transverse depressions from a direction perpendicular to either of the longitudinally extending ingot sides to provide a dual entry feature for ease of handling. The depressions in the ingot bottom also define a surface to volume ratio enabling a solidification front in the molten metal to occur that moves from the ingot bottom surface to the top surface to significantly reduce formation of voids in the ingot and depression of the top surface. The sow ingot cast has depressions in its bottom surface that facilitate solidfication and stacking of the ingot.

Sow mold and sow ingot

An improved probe for an alumina concentration meter is disclosed. The active anode and cathode surfaces of the probe lie on a common surface. A bath temperature measuring device is included within the probe.

Probe for alumina concentration meter

An improved alumina reduction cell is described in which the carbonaceous cathode includes refractory hard metal tiles projecting upwardly from the cell surface thereof, forming the true cathode surface, and a solid layer of alumina and cryolite beneath the molten aluminum produced within the cell and the alumina-cryolite bath from which the molten aluminum is obtained. This bottom alumina-cryolite layer protects the refractory hard metal-carbonaceous interface from attack by the molten aluminum, increasing the useful life of the cell.

This invention concerns cathodes for alumina reduction cells, particularly drained cathodes, which present a refractory surface for contacting molten aluminum on the cell floor. This invention also concerns materials for constructing such cathodes. The cathodes described comprise a carbonaceous bed, preferably a graphite bed, and a composite tile. This tile is characterized by a layer of a refractory hard metal (RHM) material bonded to a base layer of a graphitic material, where the RHM layer comprises a hot pressed mixture of titanium diboride and aluminum nitride powders. The tile is further characterized by the bond between the RHM layer and the graphitic base layer, such bond having been produced simultaneously as the RHM layer is formed by hot pressing the mixture of titanium diboride and aluminum nitride powders directly against the graphitic base layer. The graphitic base layer is in turn bonded to the carbonaceous bed by means of a carbonaceous cement, and the RHM layer thereby provides a refractory surface for contacting molten aluminum.

Growing community of inventors

Florence, AL, United States of America

Nolan E Richards