Aluminum Company of America

Stanley C Jacobs

Robert K Dawless

Larry K King

Perry A Foster, Jr

Alfred F LaCamera

Donald L Kinosz

Robert William Graham

Elmer H Rogers, Jr

Lester L Knapp

Robert J Ormesher

Charles E Jennings

Bernard J Racunas

Raymond D Wiltzius

William R Allen

John R Minick

Henry G Wickes, Jr

Robert A Stoehr

An electrolysis method involving electrolyzing, between anodic and cathodic surface areas, a compound dissolved in a solvent. A liquid cathodic body is located in a region such that it is possible for waves in the body to touch anodic surface area. The improvement includes placing a bed of objects into the mentioned region. Interstices remain between the objects for accommodating liquid from the mentioned body.

Electrolysis method

A process for purifying impure aluminum comprises introducing the impure aluminum to the anode layer of an electrolytic cell of the type having a bottom layer of molten aluminum-copper alloy constituting the anode layer and having a top layer of molten aluminum constituting a cathode layer, the cathode and anode layers separated by an electrolyte layer. Aluminum is electrolytically transported from the anode to the cathode in a first purification step and then treated with a carbonaceous material to remove magnesium therefrom. Thereafter, the treated portion is fractionally crystallized to remove further impurities therefrom by crystallizing pure aluminum and separating the molten remaining part, which is high in impurities, from the purified aluminum. The impure molten aluminum portion is then recycled back to the electrolytic cell or to another fractional crystallization step.

Production of extreme purity aluminum

A process for purifying impure aluminum comprises introducing the impure aluminum to the anode layer of an electrolytic cell of the type having a bottom layer of molten aluminum-copper alloy constituting the anode layer and having a top layer of molten aluminum constituting a cathode layer, the cathode and anode layers separated by an electrolyte layer. Aluminum is electrolytically transported from the anode to the cathode in a first purification step and then fractionally crystallized to remove further impurities therefrom by crystallizing pure aluminum and thereafter separating the molten remaining part, which is high in impurities, from the purified aluminum. The impure molten aluminum portion is then recycled back to the electrolytic cell or to another fractional crystallization step.

A method is disclosed for preparing for operation a cell, having an outer shell and an inner lining, which is employed to produce metal by electrolysis of a compound of the metal in a molten production bath. The method includes placing in the cell an initial bath having a solidus temperature higher than the solidus temperature of the production bath, and higher than the temperature maintained on the inside surface of the shell. Because of this higher solidus temperature, a freeze-line barrier for the initial bath is established within the lining of the cell. Subsequently, electrolysis is carried out in the production bath.

Method of preparing an electrolytic cell for operation

A method for producing metal by electrolysis in a molten salt bath containing superimposed electrodes, at least one of which is a bipolar electrode. The arrangement of the electrodes creates interelectrode spaces between them. Bath is swept through these interelectrode spaces. This method is improved by providing circulation of the bath from one interelectrode space to the next at a location inwards of the outer peripheries of the electrodes. This can be accomplished e.g. by boring holes through the electrodes. It can also be accomplished by breaking the electrodes into individual, mutually separated stacks of electrodes, the circulation of the improvement then occurring e.g. in the space between the stacks.

Molten salt bath circulation patterns in electrolysis

Recovery of high purity aluminum chloride is achieved by use of a series of condensers wherein the first condenser is operated at a high temperature of 80.degree.-110.degree. C to insure minimum condensation of other metal chlorides such as titanium chloride, silicon chloride, or the like, while a second condenser operates at a much lower temperature of from 20.degree.-50.degree. C to trap all impurities while reducing the chloride losses to a minimum. The product of the first condenser may then be used as a feed for the electrolytic reduction of aluminum chloride to metallic aluminum.

Method of producing high purity aluminum chloride

A method for feeding a subliming material into a liquid is disclosed, by which the end of a pipe is submerged below the surface of the liquid, and a subliming, particulate material is propelled through the pipe and into the liquid by a flow of gas. The flow rate of the entraining gas is sufficient to prevent the formation of deposits on the interior walls of the pipe by countercurrent gaseous diffusion of the subliming material.

Method for feeding a subliming material into a liquid

In the production of aluminum chloride suitable for subsequent electrolytic reduction to metallic aluminum control of both the purity and the particle size is achieved by control of the entrance velocity of the aluminum chloride vapors in a fluidized bed, control of the fluidized bed temperature, and selective removal of the condensed particles from the bottom of the fluidized bed.

Control of purity and particle size in production of aluminum chloride

A method for the electrolytic production of metal, including electrolyzing, between anodic and cathodic surface areas, a compound of the metal dissolved in a molten solvent, the electrolyzing being performed at a temperature such that the metal is formed in the molten state, the metal collecting in a molten metal pad, wherein the improvement includes the provision of cathodic surface area in the form of an array of elements protruding out of the pad into the solvent toward the anodic surface area for establishing a series of locations at which the anode-cathode distance is up to 11/4 inches. A method for the electrolytic production of metal, including electrolyzing, between anodic and cathodic surface areas, a compound of the metal dissolved in a molten solvent, the electrolyzing being performed at a temperature such that the metal is formed in the molten state, wherein the improvement includes the provision of cathodic surface area formed from at least one hollow body in the solvent, the hollow body containing molten material. A method for the electrolytic production of metal, including electrolyzing, between anodic and cathodic surface areas, a compound of the metal dissolved in a molten solvent, the electrolyzing being performed at a temperature such that the metal is formed in the molten state, wherein the improvement includes the provision of cathodic surface area in the form of a grate inserted in the solvent.

Electrolytic production of metal

In a process for producing aluminum, which process conventionally includes electrolytically decomposing alumina to aluminum metal in a molten electrolyte bath between a carbon anode and a cathodic interface formed between a molten aluminum metal pad and sides electrolyte bath, the bath

Growing community of inventors

Lower Burrell, PA, United States of America

Stanley C Jacobs