Patent · US Active

Shut-down and start-up procedures of an electrolytic cell

US8123928B2 · kind B2 · utility

7Cited by

3References

26Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Rio Tinto Alcan International Limited · CA

Inventors

Robert Cayouette · Saguenay, CA
Martin Bouchard · Thurso, CA
Jacques Fortin · Auxerre, FR

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 22, 2009
Grant date	Feb 28, 2012
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 17, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
CPC primaryC25C3/20
WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for shutting down an operating electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium is described. The process includes: lowering anodes until a lower portion of the anodes is immersed in an aluminium layer; allowing the aluminium layer and an electrolyte bath to cool down with the lower portion of the anodes immersed in the aluminium layer; determining if the electrolyte bath is solidified, and if the electrolyte bath is solidified, raising the anodes before solidification of the aluminium layer to create a space between the solidified electrolyte bath and the anodes and the aluminium layer.

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