Patent · US Expired

Floating cathode elements based on electrically conductive refractory material, for the production of aluminum by electrolysis

US4532017A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 3, 1982
Grant dateJul 30, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC25C3/08
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The invention concerns floating cathode elements which are intended for the electrolytic production of aluminum using the Hall-Heroult process in an electrolysis tank comprising a molten cryolite-base bath, between a carbon anode, and a cathodic layer of molten aluminum, said elements comprising at least one active cathode element (30) formed of electrically conductive refractory material such as titanium diboride and supported by an intermediate support (31) which is inert with respect to the liquid aluminum and the electrolyte, the mean relative density of the assembly of the acitve cathode element and the inert intermediate support being lower than the relative density of the liquid aluminum under the normal conditions of operation of the electrolysis tank. They may also and preferably be provided with anchoring and abutment means (32) for limiting the amplitude of movements thereof in a vertical direction, and guide means for limiting the amplitude of movements thereof in directions other than a vertical direction.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.