Drained cathode aluminium electrowinning cell with alumina distribution

Abstract

An electrolytic cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a cathode cell bottom provided with a series of sloped active cathode surfaces ( ) down which produced aluminium ( ) is drained, and a series of recessed grooves or channels ( ), below the bottom of the cathode active surfaces ( ) and extending therealong which collect and evacuate the drained produced aluminum ( ). Preferably the active surfaces ( ) are V-shaped and the recessed grooves or channels ( ) are provided with a sloping bottom and a constant cross-sectional area. Alumina is so fed into the cell as to supply alumina-rich electrolyte ( ) into the recessed grooves or channels ( ) which contain the alumina-rich electrolyte along substantially their entire length above the drained layer of aluminium ( ). The recessed grooves or channels ( ) supply the alumina-rich electrolyte ( ) to the bottom part of the active cathode surfaces ( ) under the effect of the electrolyte circulation produced by propelling gas ( ) released under the anodes.