Cathode current collector/connector for hall-heroult cell

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum (2) including collector bars (7) under the cathode, namely a copper collector bar whose external terminal end is connectedby a conductor element (30) providing electrical connection of the collector bar to an external bus (40). This conductor element (30) comprises a flexible connector strip of the same or a different highly conductive metal as the conductor bar (7), such as copper.

Description

technical field [0001] This invention relates to the production of aluminum using the Hall-Eroux process; in particular, it relates to the optimization of the cathode conductor / connector bar used to connect the battery to the external bus. Background technique [0002] Aluminum is produced by electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based electrolyte by the Hall-Heroult process at temperatures up to 1000°C. A conventional Hall-Eru cell consists of a steel case, an insulating lining of refractory material, and a carbon cathode that holds the liquid metal. The cathode consists of a plurality of cathode blocks in which conductive rods are embedded at the bottom of the blocks to extract the current flowing through the cell. [0003] A number of patent publications have proposed different methods for minimizing the voltage drop between the liquid metal and the tip of the conductive rod. WO 2008 / 062318 proposes the use of highly conductive materials as a supplement to exi...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0008] The known arrangement with the steel rods forming the transition joint is partially satisfactory in that it produces moderate heat losses due to small overvoltage effects

However, copper / steel contacts are complex and lead to increased manufacturing costs, and these copper / steel contacts tend to deteriorate over time, resulting in poor contact

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