Compact service module and use thereof in a plant for producing aluminum by electrolysis

Abstract

A pot tending module for an aluminum production plant comprising a frame and a rotary part including a hopper mounted on said frame so as to pivot about a substantially vertical axis, said rotary part being equipped with at least one tool mounted on a telescopic arm, said pot tending module comprising a first bearing structure to carry all of said rotary part mounted on said frame so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis, a fixed member of said telescopic arm being mounted on a second bearing structure of said rotary art through attachment means fixed to an attachment part of said fixed member placed between the ends of said fixed member. A pot tending machine, a port tending assembly comprising the pot tending module described above, and use of said pot tending assembly.

Description

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to aluminum production using igneous electrolysis by means of the Hall-Héroult process. It more particularly relates to pot tending modules used in aluminum production plants.BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART[0002]Aluminum is produced industrially by igneous electrolysis in electrolytic cells according to the well-known Hall-Héroult process. The plants contain a great number of electrolytic cells laid out in line, in buildings called electrolysis halls or rooms, and electrically connected in series using connecting conductors. The cells are generally laid out so as to form two or more parallel lines which are electrically linked to each other by end conductors.[0003]When operating, an electrolysis plant requires work on the electrolytic cells, including replacement of spent anodes by new ones, sampling of molten metal in the cells and sampling or top-ups of electrolyte. In order to carry out this work, the most modern plants are equipped wit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about a rotary part or turret for a pot tending module that has a hopper for supplying products in powder form to the electrolytic cell. This hopper is included in the rotary part to minimize the space needed for the module. The tools and telescopic arms on which they are mounted are actuated by hydraulic cylinders or cable lifting means to maintain them at the desired level and lift any loads they handle. These actuating means exert lifting forces on the tools, which are counteracted by the weight of the tools and their telescopic arm. The presence of at least one bearing point on the upper face of the second bearing structure is theoretically sufficient to take up the lifting forces. Overall, this invention allows for efficient and safe operation of the pot tending module.

Problems solved by technology

However, known pot tending modules occupy a large volume that makes it impossible to get close to the sides of electrolysis halls, particularly the lateral sides, and which significantly reduces their movements close to these sides.

However, this solution may increase the risk of damaging the tools during maintenance operations.

It also give the tools a limited independence of movement, while preventing them from colliding with each other and preventing any jolts undergone by one of the tools from having a direct impact on the other tools.

A technical problem with the pot tending module of prior art is to further minimize the volume under the frame of the module, including the height under the frame of the pot tending module, and the volume of space covered by the entire pot tending module during rotation of its rotary part.

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