Elysis Limited Partnership

Alcoa Inc.

Alcoa USA Corp.

Yimin Ruan

Leroy E D'Astolfo

Robert L Kozarek

William J Steiner

Eric C Moreland

Steven A Czekaj

Edwin A Kuhn

J Stephen Ubelhor

Donnie J Duke

Leroy E D'astolfo

A method of monitoring an electrolytic cell including detecting information indicative of a thermite reaction, comparing the information indicative of a thermite reaction to a threshold, generating a thermite response signal according to the comparison, and reacting to the thermite response signal by adjusting the operation of the electrolytic cell.

Systems and methods for preventing thermite reactions in electrolytic cells

An insulation assembly is provided, including: a body of an insulating material with a lower surface configured to contact a sidewall an electrolysis cell; an upper surface generally opposed to the lower surface; and a perimetrical sidewall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface to surround the remainder of the body, the perimetrical sidewall including: an inner portion configured to face an anode surface of the electrolysis cell and provide a gap between the body and the anode surface of the electrolysis cell; wherein the body is configured to extend from the sidewall towards the anode surface.

Insulation assembly for electrolysis cell

An apparatus and method for smelting has a smelting pot for containing electrolyte, alumina and a layer of liquid aluminum. A wall in the form of one or more TiBor alumina plates extends from the bottom of the pot to a height exceeding the height of the liquid aluminum layer formed in the bottom of the smelting pot during smelting. The wall partitions the bottom of the pot and impedes movement of the aluminum under the influence of MHD forces, diminishing the maximum crest height of waves in the aluminum and allowing a reduction in the ACD to reduce electrical resistance and power consumption. The wall may equal or exceed the height of the anode and may, when conductive, act as a cathode, drawing a horizontal current. The wall may be composed of alumina, e.g., in the form of blocks, undergoing electrolytic reduction and being replaced periodically.

Apparatus and method for improving magneto-hydrodynamics stability and reducing energy consumption for aluminum reduction cells

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Yimin Ruan