Method and apparatus for electrolytic reduction of alumina

Details Method and apparatus for electrolytic reduction of alumina Method and apparatus for electrolytic reduction of alumina

1984-10-25

1986-06-03

Williams, Howard S.

Chemistry: electrical and wave energy

Processes and products

204243R, 204245, 204247, 204274, 204294, C25C 306, C25C 308

Patent

active

045928126

ABSTRACT:
A cell for the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum comprises an electrolyte bath composed of halide salts having a density greater than aluminum but less than alumina. A non-consumable anode is located at the bottom of the bath, and a dimensionally stable cathode coated with titanium diboride is spaced above the anode and totally immersed in the bath. Particles of alumina are introduced into the bath where the alumina dissolves and forms ions of aluminum and oxygen. The oxygen ions are converted at the anode to gaseous oxygen which bubbles upwardly through the bath, agitating the bath. As a result, the bath is substantially saturated with dissolved alumina in the region of the anode, and the build-up of a layer of undissolved alumina on the anode is prevented. The aluminum ions are converted to metallic aluminum at the cathodes, and molten aluminum accumulates as a pool atop the bath above the cathodes. In one embodiment, the upwardly rising gaseous oxygen bubbles are prevented from mixing with the pool of molten aluminum.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4222830 (1980-09-01), Dawless et al.
patent: 4308115 (1981-12-01), Foster et al.
patent: 4338177 (1982-07-01), Withers et al.

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