Aluminum Company of America

Robert L Coffman

Subodh K Das

Donald L Kinosz

Franck Barrat

Cristiana Guiducci

A carbonaceous electrode for use in a bipolar electrolytic cell is treated on one side with a source of aluminum to form an adherent layer of aluminum carbide thereon. The electrode is arranged in the cell such that on the passage of electrolyzing current the treated surface functions as a cathode. On electrolyzing the cell, chlorine is produced on each anode surface and aluminum is produced on each cathode surface.

Process for producing aluminum and electrodes for bipolar cell

A process is provided for producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing aluminum chloride dissolved in a molten solvent of higher decomposition potential. The cell has a terminal anode, a terminal cathode and a bipolar electrode arranged to operate with the anode and the cathode, providing interelectrode spaces therebetween. On electrolyzing the cell chlorine is produced on each anode surface thereof and aluminum on each cathode surface, the aluminum being swept from the cathode surface by bath material. In the process, carbonaceous material is provided for use as the electrode. The direction of grain flow constituting the carbonaceous material is determined and the electrode is arranged in the cell such that the direction of electrolysis current flow through the cell is in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of grain flow in the electrode.

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Lower Burrell, PA, United States of America

Robert L Coffman