Alcoa Inc.

Aluminum Company of America

Alcoa USA Corp.

Robert B Hosler

Xiangwen Wang

Gary P Tarcy

Siba P Ray

Robert K Dawless

Jay N Bruggeman

Robert W Woods

Ron D Barclay

Alfred F LaCamera

Robert L Kozarek

R Lee Troup

Patrick J O'Connor

Patrick J O'connor

System, method and apparatus for measuring electrolysis cell operating conditions and communicating the same are disclosed. The system includes a selectively positionable member coupled to an analytical apparatus, wherein the selectively positionable is configured to move the analytical apparatus into and out of physical communication with a bath. The system may also include a crust breaker for breaking the surface of a bath and an electronic device for measuring bath level.

System, method and apparatus for measuring electrolysis cell operating conditions and communicating the same

An electrolysis cell () contains a number of carbon anodes () having top, bottom and side surfaces, operating in molten electrolyte () in an aluminum electrolysis cell (), where gas bubbles () are generated at the anode surfaces and where alumina particles () are added to the top of the molten electrolyte, where the carbon anodes () have at least two inward slots () passing through the carbon anode () along the longitudinal axisof the carbon anode and also passing through only one front surface () of the carbon anode, where the height () of the slots () is from about 45% to 80% of the anodes thickness and the slotted front surfaces () are disposed toward the center of the electrolysis cell so that generated gas bubbles () are directed to the alumina particles.

Method for electrolytically producing aluminum using closed end slotted carbon anodes

An electrolysis cell () contains a number of carbon anodes () having top, bottom and side surfaces, operating in molten electrolyte () in an aluminum electrolysis cell (), where gas bubbles () are generated at the anode surfaces and where alumina particles () are added to the top of the molten electrolyte, where the carbon anodes () have one inward slot () passing through the carbon anode () along the longitudinal axisof the carbon anode and also passing through only one front surface () of the carbon anode, where the height () of the slot () is from about 45% to 80% of the anodes thickness and the slotted front surfaces () are disposed toward the center of the electrolysis cell so that generated gas bubbles () are directed to the alumina particles.

Closed end slotted carbon anodes for aluminum electrolysis cells

A method and apparatus for accurately measuring superheat, bath ratio and alumina concentration in an aluminum smelting bath. In one embodiment, a reusable probe determines the bath temperature and bath sample superheat. In other embodiments, the probe also determines bath composition including bath cryolite ratio and alumina concentration.

Molten cryolitic bath probe

A cermet composite material is made by treating at an elevated temperature a mixture comprising a compound of iron and a compound of at least one other metal, together with an alloy or mixture of copper and a noble metal. The alloy or mixture preferably comprises particles having an interior portion containing more copper than noble metal and an exterior portion containing more noble metal than copper. The noble metal is preferably silver. The cermet composite material preferably includes alloy phase portions and a ceramic phase portion. At least part of the ceramic phase portion preferably has a spinel structure.

Inert electrode containing metal oxides, copper and noble metal

Aluminum is produced by electrolytic reduction of alumina in a cell having a cathode, an inert anode and a molten salt bath containing metal fluorides and alumina. The inert anode preferably contains copper, silver and oxides of iron and nickel. Reducing the molten salt bath temperature to about 900-950.degree. C. lowers corrosion on the inert anode constituents.

Reduced temperature aluminum production in an electrolytic cell having

An electrolytic cell for reduction of a metal oxide to a metal and oxygen has an inert anode and an upwardly angled roof covering the inert mode. The angled roof diverts oxygen bubbles into an upcomer channel, thereby agitating a molten salt bath in the upcomer channel and improving dissolution of a metal oxide in the molten salt bath. The molten salt bath has a lower velocity adjacent the inert anode in order to minimize corrosion by substances in the bath. A particularly preferred cell produces aluminum by electrolysis of alumina in a molten salt bath containing aluminum fluoride and sodium fluoride.

Molten salt bath circulation design for an electrolytic cell

An inert electrode material is made by reacting at an elevated temperature a mixture preferably comprising iron oxide, at least one other metal oxide, copper and silver. The reaction produces a material having ceramic phase portions and alloy phase portions, wherein the alloy phase portions have copper-rich interior portions and silver-rich exterior portions. Inert anodes made with a reaction mixture containing copper and silver have lower wear rates than inert anodes made with copper and no silver.

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Sarver, PA, United States of America

Robert B Hosler