Methods and apparatuses for installing and supporting vertical electrodes in an electrolytic cell

Abstract

Methods for supporting, aligning, moving and fixing vertical electrodes on an electrolytic cell's bottom block are disclosed. The cell has anodes and cathodes vertically aligned in alternating rows. The method allows mechanically and simultaneously positioning and supporting the electrodes in the cell, by first inserting a bottom end of each electrode within a slot or mortise of a supporting element comprising a first fixing material, such as a glue, before letting it to cure for fixing each electrode to the supporting element. The cell is preferably used for the electrolytic production of a metal, such as aluminum or aluminium, more preferably using inert / oxygen-evolving anodes, for a production of aluminum friendly for the environment. Different fixing materials configured for fixing the vertical electrodes on the support or directly on the cell's bottom, are also described.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR INSTALLING AND SUPPORTING VERTICAL ELECTRODES IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELLCross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 639,161 entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR INSTALLING AND SUPPORTING VERTICAL ELECTRODES IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL” and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on April 26, 2024, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.Field of the invention

[0002] Methods and apparatuses for installing and supporting vertical electrodes of an electrolytic cell for the electrolytic production of a metal are disclosed herein. In particular, the electrolytic cell is adapted for the production of a metal, such as aluminum or aluminium, using vertical inert / oxygen evolving anodes and cathodes.Background

[0003] An electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum or other metals comprises alternating rows of inert anodes and wettable inert cathodes, for instance in the shape of flat plates, immersed in a molten salt bath or electrolyte with sufficient ionic conductivity to pass current. The electrolyte has the capacity to dissolve a compound of the metal to be reduced (e.g. a metal oxide). Gas, such as oxygen, is produced on the anodes and exits the cell as an offgas. Liquid metal is produced on the cathodes and runs down in a thin film by gravity into a pool or sump for collection. One can refers to Applicant’s patent US 11,180,862 B2 (Xinghua Liu), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] The anode and cathodes are separated by a distance, known as the anode-cathode distance or ACD, and have an overlapping dimension, known as the anode-cathode overlapping or ACO. Cathodes must be electrically conductive, chemically resistant to metal and bath, and have good wettability for the produced metal. The optimum shape and size of the cathodes is related to the desired cell resistance, current density, anode dimensions and cell dimensions.

[0005] Typically, one pot can stand 1500 cathodes, and cathode rails are positioned and leveled on the cathode block, the positioning being done by hand. Reference can be made to WO / 2017 / 173149 (Mosser et al.) showing slots, used to maintain cathodes in a verticalposition, that are typically machined one by one depending on the width of each cathode. Such an assembly may break easily if not prepared properly, does not provide reliable ACD and requires prohibitive costs and time.

[0006] There is thus a need for new methods, configurations or designs of an electrolytic cell and method thereof for supporting electrodes in the electrolytic cell.Summary

[0007] The shortcomings of the prior art are generally mitigated by a new apparatus and method for supporting electrodes during the electrolytic production of a metal, such as aluminum.

[0008] Therefore, according to a first aspect, it is disclosed a method for positioning and supporting at least one vertically oriented electrode in an electrolytic cell, the method comprising: inserting a bottom end of at least one vertically oriented electrode within a slot of a supporting element, the slot being larger in size than the bottom end of the electrode to form a gap therebetween; wherein the gap comprises a first fixing material configured to dry or cure until said bottom end of the electrode is fixed to the supporting element.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises: positioning and fixing the supporting element on a cell’s bottom before inserting the bottom end of each of the at least one vertically oriented electrode within its respective slot. Preferably, the supporting element comprises a plurality of slots evenly aligned in parallel rows and columns, the method comprising: inserting the bottom end of each electrode in its respective slot comprising the amount of said first fixing material; and letting the first fixing material to cure or dry to form a sub-assembly of vertically aligned electrodes evenly positioned in parallel rows and columns on the cell’s bottom.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises: positioning a plurality of said supporting element on the cell’s bottom; grabbing a top end of each of the electrodes; moving the electrodes into the cell until each of the bottom ends of the electrodes is inserted in its respective slot of the supporting elements with the slots comprising each the first fixing material; andleting the first material to cure or dry.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises: providing a second fixing material between the cell’s botom and the supporting elements for fixing the same to the cell’s botom.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment, the supporting element is located outside the electrolytic cell and is configured for supporting a plurality of said electrodes, the method further comprising: moving the supporting element into the cell once the first setting material is cured before positioning and fixing the supporting element on the cell’s bottom. More preferably, the method comprises the steps of: aligning a plurality of said supporting elements one to the other outside the cell, the slots of the supporting elements comprising each the amount of the first seting material; inserting the botom end of one of said electrodes in each of the slots; letting the first fixing material to cure for affixing the electrodes to the supporting elements; grabbing a top end of each of the electrodes; moving the electrodes and the supporting elements affixed thereto into the cell until each of the supporting elements are positioned on the cell’s botom; and fixing the positioning elements to the cell’ botom.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment, fixing the positioning elements to the cell’ bottom comprises: providing a second fixing material between the cell’s bottom and the supporting elements; optionally pressing on the supporting elements on the cell’ botom; and letting the second fixing material to cure or dry.

[0014] According to a second aspect, it is disclosed an electrolytic cell for the electrolytic production of a metal comprising vertical electrodes supported by supporting elements affixed to the cell’s botom and installed in the cell according to the method as disclosed herein.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, each supporting element is a graphite blockwith aligned slots carved therein, or alternatively, the aligned slots are directly carved in the cell’s bottom.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment, the metal is aluminum. Preferably, the electrodes are wettable by liquid aluminum metal. More preferably, the electrodes are cathodes, such as cathode plates or cathodes rods.

[0017] According to another aspect, it is disclosed the use of the method and / or electrode supporting apparatus as defined herein for manufacturing an electrolysis cell.

[0018] The method and / or electrode supporting apparatus as defined herein allows mechanically and simultaneously positioning a large number of vertical electrodes in an electrolytic cell or pot.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] Figure 1 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of an electrolytic cell known in the art;

[0021] Figure 2 is a partial schematic top isometric view of a cell’s reservoir with a bottom block and lateral sidewalls, according to a preferred embodiment;

[0022] Figure 3 is a top isometric view of the cell’s reservoir of FIG. 2 comprising several electrode supporting elements, according to a preferred embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 is a top isometric view of one electrode supporting element having a group of electrodes affixed therein, according to a preferred embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 is cut view of Figure 4, according to preferred embodiments;

[0025] Figure 6 is a top schematic isometric view of a cell’s reservoir with several vertical electrodes supported by supporting elements, according to a preferred embodiment;

[0026] Figure 7 is a top isometric view of several vertical electrodes supported by supporting element, according to a preferred embodiment; an

[0027] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of a moving jig on cell during electrode setup, according to a preferred embodiment;

[0028] Figure 9 is a schematic cut view of an electrode in a support using, according to apreferred embodiment;

[0029] Figure 10 is a schematic cut view of an electrode in a support using a fixing material and fence post, according to a preferred embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 11 is a schematic cut view of a moving jig interacting with electrodes, according to a preferred embodiment.Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0031] Novel methods and apparatuses will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.

[0032] The terminology used herein is in accordance with definitions set out below.

[0033] By "about", it is meant that the value of a data can vary within a certain range depending on the margin of error of the method or device used to evaluate such data. A margin of error of 10% is generally accepted.

[0034] As used herein % or wt.% means weight % unless otherwise indicated. When used herein % refers to weight % as compared to the total weight percent of the phase or composition that is being discussed.

[0035] As “electrolytic cell” or “cell” mentioned herein, it is understood a cell comprising at least one cathode or a cathode assembly having at least one cathode, such as, but not limited to vertical cathodes, and configured for receiving or interacting with at least one corresponding anode or an anode assembly having at least one anode, such as, but not limited to vertical anodes. The cell is also configured to receive an electrolytic bath of a molten electrolyte (such as cryolite) for the electrolytic production of metals, such as aluminum.

[0036] By “ACO”, it is meant Anode-Cathode Overlap region across from anode and cathode material, where the current density at the cathode is high or maximal for actively producing aluminum.

[0037] The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein are provided by way of illustration of an example of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation and not of limitation, of those principles of the invention. In the description that follows, like parts and / or steps are marked throughout the specification and the drawing with the samerespective reference numerals.

[0038] As aforesaid, in vertical inert anode cells, cathodes and anodes are arranged in parallel, alternating rows as illustrated on FIG. 1 from patent US 10,415,147 (LIU Xinghua), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section of an electrolytic cell 10 known in the art, for producing a metal (e.g. aluminum) by the electrochemical reduction of an electrolyte (e.g. alumina dissolved in molten cryolite) using an anode and a cathode. The cell 10 has at least one anode module 12 comprising a plurality of vertically oriented anodes 12E suspended above at least one cathode module 14 having a plurality of vertically oriented cathodes 14E positioned in a cell reservoir 16. The vertical cathodes 14E extend upwards towards the anode module 12. While a plurality of anodes 12E and cathodes 14E of a specific number are shown FIG. 1 , any number of anodes 12E and cathodes 14E greater than or equal to 1 may be used to define an anode module 12 or a cathode module 14, respectively. In some embodiments, the cathode module 14 is fixedly coupled to the bottom of the cell 10 with the cathodes 14E supported in a cathode support 14B which rests in the cell reservoir 16 on cathode blocks 18, e.g., made from carbonaceous material in electrical continuity with one or more cathode current collector bars 20. The cathode blocks 18 may be fixedly coupled to the bottom of the cell 10. The reservoir 16 may have a steel shell 16S and be lined with insulating material 16A, refractory material 16B and sidewall material 16C. The reservoir 16 is capable of retaining a bath of molten electrolyte (shown by dashed line 22) and a molten aluminum metal pad therein. Portions of an anode bus 24 that supplies electrical current to the anode modules 12 are shown pressed into electrical contact with anode rods 12L of the anode modules 12. The anode rods 12L are structurally and electrically connected to an anode distribution plate 12S, to which a thermal insulation layer 12B is attached. The anodes 12E extend through the thermal insulation layer 12B and mechanically and electrically contact the anode distribution plate 12S. The anode bus 24 would conduct direct electrical current from a suitable source 26 through the anode rods 12L, the anode distribution plate 12S, anode elements, electrolyte 22 to the cathodes 14E and from there through the cathode support 14B, cathode blocks 18 and cathode current collector bars 20 to the other pole of the source of electricity 26. The anodes 12E of each anode module 12 are in electrical continuity. Similarly, the cathodes 14E of each cathode module 14 are in electrical continuity.

[0040] The opposed, vertically oriented electrodes 12E, 14E permit the gaseous phases (O2)generated proximal thereto to detach therefrom and physically disassociate from the anodes 12E due to the buoyancy of the O2 gas bubbles in the molten electrolyte. Since the bubbles are free to escape from the surfaces of the anode 12, they do not build up on the anode surfaces to form an electrically insulative / resistive layer allowing the build-up of electrical potential, resulting in high resistance and, high energy consumption. The anodes 12E may be arranged in rows or columns with or without a side-to side clearance or gap between them to create a channel that enhances molten electrolyte movement, thereby improving mass transport and allowing dissolved alumina to reach the surfaces of the anode module 12. The number of rows of anodes 12E can vary from 1 to any selected number and the number of anodes 12E in a row can vary from 1 to any number. The cathodes 14E may be similarly arranged in rows with or without side-to-side clearance (gaps) between them and may similarly vary in the number of rows and the number of cathodes 14E in a row from 1 to any number.

[0041] The shapes of both vertical anodes and cathodes illustrated on FIG. 1 are generally plate shaped. The cathodes may also be longitudinal rods (not illustrated), or thin rectangular plates as illustrated on FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 for instance. Other shapes of cathodes developed by the Applicant are disclosed in WO / 2022 / 109742 Al (D’Astolfo et al.), the content of which is incorporated herewith by reference. Specific shapes of anodes developed by the Applicant are disclosed in WO / 2023 / 035063 Al (Shanta et al.), the content of which is incorporated herewith by reference.

[0042] As aforesaid, the invention as disclosed herein is directed to systems and methods for installing, positioning, supporting and fixing vertical electrodes of an electrolytic cell. Preferably, the electrodes may be cathodes that can be made of titanium diboride (TiEh) or zirconium diboride (ZrEh). However, any material that is electrically conductive, resistant to molten metal and electrolyte, and wettable to a metal, such as aluminum, can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a partial top isometric view of a reservoir or tank 100 of an electrolytic cell comprising lateral sidewalls 120,130 extending from the reservoir’s bottom or cell’s block 110.

[0044] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a plurality of supporting elements 300 positioned on the reservoir’s bottom 110, each of the supporting elements comprising slots 310 for receiving and fixing electrodes to the supporting element 300 as detailed herein after.According to another preferred embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), the supporting elements can be integral to the reservoir’s bottom or cell’s block 110. In other words, the reservoir 100 of the electrolytic cell can be designed and built with slots 310 directly extending inwardly from the cell’s bottom surface for receiving the electrodes.

[0045] As shown on FIG. 4 and 5, the supporting element 300 preferably comprises a plurality of slots 310 evenly aligned in parallel rows 330 and columns 340. The bottom end 210 of each electrode 200 can be inserted in its respective slot 310 comprising an amount of a first fixing material 320 for fixing the electrode in the slot 310. Details on the different types of fixing materials are provided herein after. A sub-assembly 400 (see e.g. FIGs. 4 to 7) of vertically aligned electrodes evenly positioned in parallel rows 330 and columns 340 on the cell’s bottom 110 is formed.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows in more details the position of the electrode 200 in the slot or mortise 310 of the supporting element 300, with the bottom end 210 of the electrode plunged in the fixing material 320 (such as a shim powder). According to another preferred embodiment illustrated on FIG. 10, one of the uprising lateral walls 350 of the slot 310 can be used to abut the electrode 200 favoring as such verticality of the electrode.

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, the supporting elements 300 can be fixed to the reservoir’s bottom or cell’s block 110 using a second fixing material (not illustrated) between the cell’s bottom 110 and the supporting element 300. The second fixing material is then let to cure or dry. The electrodes 200 are then installed and affixed into the cell 100 as shown on FIG. 6.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment illustrated on FIG. 8, a moving jig 700 can be used for grabbing, moving and installing the electrodes 200 in the cell’s reservoir 100. These actions can be performed using for instance mechanical systems, such as robotic arms (not illustrated), for moving the moving jig 700. Opposed guiding pins 150 supported by the sidewalls 120,130 of the cell’s reservoir 100 are configured to be inserted in opposite guiding holes 720 of the moving jig 700 and support its frame. Other ways to install the electrodes and the moving jig 700 in the cell’s tank 100 can be considered without departing from the scope of the instant disclosure. The moving jig 700 is further configured for grabbing the top end 220 of each of the electrodes 200.

[0049] Indeed, as illustrated in FIG. 8 and 11, like a “bowling pinsetter”, the moving jig 700 may have a grabbing plate 740 supported by the jig frame 710 with a plurality of jig slots750 (see FIG. 11) configured to receive and maintain by pressure the top ends 220 of the electrodes 200. Once loaded with electrodes, the moving jig 700 can be moved into the cell’s tank 100 until each of the bottom ends 210 of the electrodes 200 is inserted in its respective slot 310 of the supporting elements 300, the slots comprising enough amount of the first fixing material 320.

[0050] Once the electrodes 200 are permanently installed and fixed to the electrode supports 300 in the cell’s tank 100, the moving jig 700 is removed from the cell’s reservoir 100. The electrodes 200 are then supported by the supporting elements 300 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0051] As aforesaid, according to another preferred embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), the supporting elements can be integral to the cell’s bottom or block 110. In other words, the electrolytic cell 100 can be designed and built with slots 210 directly extending inwardly from the cell’s bottom surface for receiving the electrodes.

[0052] According to another preferred embodiment (not illustrated in the drawings), supporting elements 300 may be first adequately positioned outside the cell for receiving and supporting the electrodes 200. Once the electrodes are fixed to their respective supporting element, the supporting elements 300 and the electrodes 200 affixed thereto are moved altogether into the cell’s reservoir 100 before positioning and fixing the supporting elements 300 on the cell’s bottom 110. The moving can be done using a moving jig such as the moving jig 700 detailed above. A rail positioning jig (not illustrated) can be used in combination with a plate loading cradle (not illustrated) for positioning the electrodes outside the cell.

[0053] As aforesaid, an amount of the fixing material 320 is inserted in the slots 310 of the supporting elements 300. The amount must be sufficient to fill the gap 360 between the electrode 200 and the slots’ uprising walls 350 (see FIG. 9). The fixing material 320 will be then let to cure or dry for affixing the electrodes to the supporting elements 300. Preferably, as previously described, fixing the supporting elements 300 to the cell’s bottom may comprise the use of a second fixing material (not illustrated) inserted between the cell’s bottom 110 and the supporting element 300 before preferably pressing on the supporting elements on the cell’s bottom.EXAMPLES:

[0054] Method A (Comparative - not illustrated):- Electrode supporting rails are placed manually on a cathode block;- Horizontal movement avoided thanks to TiEh pins;- Vertical leveling ensured by graphite screws;- Vertical movement is avoided thanks to the weight of the electrodes;- The width of the slots has to be adjusted to the thickness of the electrodes: requires sorting of the plates and specific machining;- Mechanical strength of the rail / plate assembly is ensured by expansion of the materials during heating.

[0055] This method A requires that all the slots be adjusted to the thickness of each electrodes using specific machining, and is therefore time consuming.

[0056] Method 1: positioning of the supporting elements or rails directly in the cell: Electrode supporting elements 300 are placed manually on the cathode block 110 of the cell or with the use of a jig or a guiding system for instance with the help of the guiding pins 150 disclosed herein; Horizontal and vertical movement of the electrodes are avoided thanks to the second setting material, such as glue, between the bottom surface of the electrode supporting elements 300 and the cathode block 110, and optionally TiB2 guiding pins; TiB2 plates vertical position is ensured by a dedicated positioning jig (e.g. pneumatic holder with a poka-yoke system). Precision of the positioning can be about 0.2 mm; Electrodes are moved into the cell and placed on the supporting elements 300 previously installed; and Mechanical strength of the supporting elements 300 / electrodes 200 assembly is ensured by the first fixing material (e.g. glue) previously disposed in the receiving slots 320 supporting elements 300.

[0057] Method 2: positioning of the supporting elements outside of the cell Supporting elements 300 are adequately positioned, e.g. using a guiding system, outside the cell; Electrodes are placed in the slots 310 of the supporting elements 300comprising the fixing material 320 (mechanical strength of the supporting element / electrodes assembly being ensured by the fixing element between plates and rail); The assembly formed with the vertical electrodes affixed to the supporting elements 300 is moved to the cell using the moving jig 700; Horizontal and vertical movement are avoided thanks to the second fixing material between the bottom outside surface of the supporting elements 300 and the cathode block, and optionally TiEh guiding pins.

[0058] Embodiments of methods 1 and 2 above are advantageous over the comparative Method A in that methods 1 or 2 do not require that the width of the slots of the supporting elements 300 be previously adjusted to the thickness and shape of each of the electrodes (e.g. TiB2 plates) requiring sorting of the plates and the rails, as well as specific machining.

[0059] The methods as disclosed herein comprise positioning the electrodes on the supporting elements 300, such as, but not limited to, graphite rails. The rails can be levelled on the cell’s bottom block, preferably using the second fixing element.

[0060] The methods and apparatuses as disclosed herein allows prepositioning the rails in the pot to easily install them. The electrodes are loaded outside of the pot or cell. For instance, a batch of 90 plates can be placed in the pot.

[0061] In the context to Method 2, the rails 300 and electrodes 200 are assembled and aligned first outside the cell 100, before being moved altogether in the cell and fixed on the cell’ bottom block 110.FIXING MATERIALS

[0062] As aforesaid, the slots 310 of the supporting elements 300 or rails are prefilled with a fixing material 320. The jig 700 maintains the electrodes in an adequate vertical position during the complete curing of the fixing material. Furthermore, the supporting elements 300 can be fixed in the cell’s bottom using a second fixing material. The first and second fixing materials as disclosed herein can be the same or different. In any case, the fixing materials used must be resistant to liquid aluminum produced in the cell and also compatible with the electrolytic chemical reactions occurring in the cell during production of the metal. For instance, they must resist to elevated heat, to chemical reactions with the electrolyte bath and corrosive gases produced in the cell while providing adequate and long-lasting fixationstrength. Several non limiting options are proposed.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, a glue can be used for connecting and levelling the rails to the bottom block of the cell, such as for instance a graphite glue, such as AD20, AD20+ or C34. The glue to connect the electrodes to the rails can be for instance an alumina slurry or a graphite-based glue with or without a filler.

[0064] A highly packed powder bed can be used as a filler. Powder is first dispersed in water to create a high-solids-loaded slurry. Ceramic powders such as aluminum oxide can be used. Density of the fixing material must be greater than molten aluminum so the material does not float. Proper selection of powder particle size distribution can aid in maximizing powder packing density. This kind of high-loaded slurry has been successfully tested over 3 months in Applicant’s facilities.

[0065] The original setting time of the slurry of about 2 days has been adjusted, i. e. reduced, by adding an additive such as a coagulant (e.g. aluminum acetate) or an alumina rich cement. It has been discovered that an addition of a very small amount (< 1 wt.%) of a commercial alumina cement allows decreasing the setting time from about 48 hours to about 16 hours. Fine-tuning of the curing / setting time has been optimized using different amount of additive added to the fixing material and in function of several physical parameters in the cell, such as for instance the temperature.

[0066] A “reaction concrete” mixture can be used as fixing material. The reactive concrete comprises a mixture of aluminum powder, TiCh and B2O3. After the mixture is tamped in place and heated, at some temperature the reaction proceeds to form a solid mixture of TiEh and AI2O3 which stabilize the electrode in the mortises and lock it in place. The reaction that occurs to form the solid is:3TiO2+ 3B2O3+ 10AI 3TiB2+ 5Al2O3

[0067] TiEh powder can be added to the “reaction concrete” mixture to increase packing density, if necessary. Advantageously, this “reaction concrete” only reacts and hardness after the pot is pre-heated to close to operating temperature and the thermal expansions of the cathodes block and the electrodes has taken place.

[0068] An aggregate material can be used as the filler to support the electrodes. The aggregate is poured into the volume between the bottom of the electrode and the mortise or pocket that it sits in. Preferably, the aggregate material is produced by crushing TiEh electrode material and sieving it to desired particles size. Irregularly shaped aggregateparticles interlock between the electrode and the pocket walls to securely hold the electrode in place. Aggregate size needs to be selected as it must be small enough to fit in the gap between electrode bottom and pocket wall and big enough to interlock for secure holding power. A small scale desktop demonstration with a !4” x !4” cross section electrode indicates strong mechanical attachment. Pouring TiB2 aggregate is a simple room temperature process. Another advantage of this option is that it offers the possibility of recycling spent TiB2 electrodes, such as cathodes.

[0069] The methods and apparatuses as disclosed herein avoid machining the slots of the rails depending on each electrode but to machine at only one width. The slots will contain an adequate portion of glue for the electrodes to be maintained in the slots leading to a strong cost decrease for the manufacturing of the rails.

[0070] While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

Claims1. A method for positioning and supporting at least one vertically oriented electrode in an electrolytic cell, the method comprising: inserting a bottom end of at least one vertically oriented electrode within a slot of a supporting element, the slot being larger in size than the bottom end of the electrode to form a gap therebetween; wherein the gap comprises a first fixing material configured to dry or cure until said bottom end of the electrode is fixed to the supporting element.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: positioning and fixing the supporting element on a cell’s bottom before inserting the bottom end of each of the at least one vertically oriented electrode within its respective slot.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the supporting element comprises a plurality of slots evenly aligned in parallel rows and columns, the method comprising: inserting the bottom end of each electrode in its respective slot comprising the amount of said first fixing material; and letting the first fixing material to cure or dry to form a sub-assembly of vertically aligned electrodes evenly positioned in parallel rows and columns on the cell’s bottom.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising: positioning a plurality of said supporting element on the cell’s bottom; grabbing a top end of each of the electrodes; moving the electrodes into the cell until each of the bottom ends of the electrodes is inserted in its respective slot of the supporting elements with the slots comprising each the first fixing material; and letting the first material to cure or dry.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising providing a second fixing material between the cell’s bottom and the supporting elements for fixing the same to the cell’s bottom.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the supporting element is located outside the electrolytic cell and is configured for supporting a plurality of said electrode, the method furthercomprising: moving the supporting element into the cell once the first setting material is cured before positioning and fixing the supporting element on the cell’s bottom.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising the steps of: aligning a plurality of said supporting elements one to the other outside the cell, the slots of the supporting elements comprising each the amount of the first setting material; inserting the bottom end of one of said electrodes in each of the slots; letting the first fixing material to cure for affixing the electrodes to the supporting elements; grabbing a top end of each of the electrodes; moving the electrodes and the supporting elements affixed thereto into the cell until each of the supporting elements are positioned on the cell’s bottom; and fixing the positioning elements to the cell’ bottom.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein fixing the positioning elements to the cell’ bottom comprises: providing a second fixing material between the cell’s bottom and the supporting elements; optionally pressing on the supporting elements on the cell’ bottom; and letting the second fixing material to cure or dry.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrodes are cathodes.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrodes are cathode plates or cathode rods.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electrodes comprises TiEh.

12. An electrolytic cell for the electrolytic production of a metal comprising vertical electrodes supported by supporting elements affixed to the cell’s bottom and installed in the cell according to the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. The electrolytic cell of claim 12, wherein each supporting element is a graphite block with aligned slots carved therein, or alternatively, the aligned slots are directly carved inthe cell’s bottom.

14. The electrolytic cell of claim 12 or 13, wherein the vertical electrodes are cathodes.

15. The method of any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the electrodes are cathode plates or cathode rods.

16. The method of any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the electrodes comprises TiEh.

17. The electrolytic cell of claim 12 to 16, wherein the metal to be produced is aluminum.

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