Patent · US Expired

Cell for the electrolysis of alumina at low temperatures

US5725744A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
16References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 24, 1996
Grant dateMar 10, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 24, 2016

Classification

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

Abstract

An electrolysis cell for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a molten halide electrolyte using a multimonopolar arrangement of substantially non-consumable anodes and cathodes with facing operative surfaces which are upright or at a slope and are spaced in a substantially parallel relationship, enabling operation at low and/or current density with an acceptable production per unit self-lowered area. The operative surface area of the anodes and the cathodes is high due to their upright sloping configuration. Operative surfaces of the anodes and possibly of the cathodes can be increased by making them porous, preferably with their articulated skeletal structure, e.g. with a porous active part on opposite faces of a central current feeder. There is an upward circulation of electrolyte by gas lift between the electrodes, such circulation being enhanced by electrolyte circulation guide means provides by members of electrically non-conducting material arranged outside the spacing between the anodes and the cathodes.

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