Anode apparatus and methods regarding the same

Abstract

In some embodiments, an anode apparatus comprises: (a) an anode body comprising at least one outer sidewall, wherein the outer sidewall is configured to define a shape of the anode body, and to perimetrically surround a hole in the anode body, wherein the hole comprises an upper opening in a top surface of the anode body and wherein the hole axially extends into the anode body; (b) a pin comprising: a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end extends downward into the upper end of the anode body and into the hole of the anode body; and (c) a sealing material configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the following: (1) an inner sidewall of the anode body; (2) the top surface of the anode body; (3) the pin; and (4) the anode support.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An anode assembly, comprising:
 an anode support; and   an anode apparatus mechanically attached to the anode support, wherein the anode apparatus comprises:
 (a) an anode body comprising at least one outer sidewall, wherein the outer sidewall is configured to define a shape of the anode body, and to perimetrically surround a hole in the anode body, wherein the hole comprises an upper opening in a top surface of the anode body and wherein the hole axially extends into the anode body; 
 (b) a pin comprising:
 a. a first end connected to a current supply, and 
 b. a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end extends downward into the upper end of the anode body and into the hole of the anode body; and 
 
 (c) a sealing material comprising an aggregate and a matrix, wherein the sealing material is configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the following:
 (1) an inner sidewall of the anode body; 
 (2) the top surface of the anode body; 
 (3) the pin; and 
 (4) the anode support. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The anode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material comprises at least one of: water, polymers, organics, dispersants, or diluents. 
     
     
         3 . The anode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a sealing material is configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the following: (1) an inner sidewall of the anode body; (2) the pin; and (3) a filler material. 
     
     
         4 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, the first end of the pin is configured to be retained within an anode support. 
     
     
         5 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the filler is retained in the hole between the inner sidewall of the anode body and the pin. 
     
     
         6 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is configured to enclose the conductive filler into the anode body between the inner sidewall of the anode body and the pin. 
     
     
         7 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is cast in place. 
     
     
         8 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is pre-cast and screwed into the anode body. 
     
     
         9 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is sintered into place during the sintering of the green form anode body into the final anode body. 
     
     
         10 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is retained above the top surface of the anode body. 
     
     
         11 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is retained in the hole. 
     
     
         12 . The anode apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein above the top surface of the anode body includes extending along the pin. 
     
     
         13 . The anode apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein above the top surface of the anode body includes extending along the pin and into the anode support. 
     
     
         14 . The anode apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein above the top surface includes extending across the top surface of the upper portion of the anode body. 
     
     
         15 . The anode apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein above the top surface includes extending across the top surface and extending down around the outer sidewall of the anode body. 
     
     
         16 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is applied to the anode hole between the pin and the inner surface of the anode body in a gradient, such that the concentration of sealing material varies in a radial direction. 
     
     
         17 . The anode apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the gradient is configured such that the concentration of sealing material is higher adjacent to the pin as compared to adjacent to the inner surface of the anode body. 
     
     
         18 . The anode apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the gradient is configured such that the concentration of sealing material is lower adjacent to the pin as compared to adjacent to the inner surface of the anode body. 
     
     
         19 . The anode apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is applied to the anode hole between the pin and the inner surface of the anode body in a gradient, such that the concentration of sealing material varies in a lateral direction. 
     
     
         20 . The anode apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the gradient is configured such that the concentration of sealing material is higher adjacent to the upper end as compared to adjacent to the lower end of the anode body. 
     
     
         21 . The anode apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the gradient is configured such that the concentration of sealing material is lower adjacent to the upper end as compared to adjacent to the lower end of the anode body. 
     
     
         22 . The anode apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing material is configured with a higher concentration at a position adjacent to the bath-vapor interface, as compared to either the upper end in the vapor phase or the lower end in the bath of the anode body. 
     
     
         23 . The anode apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the concentration of sealing material from a position just below the bath-vapor interface to a position adjacent to the upper end of the anode is higher than the portion of sealing material in the submerged portion of the anode body. 
     
     
         24 . An electrolysis cell, comprising:
 a cell structure comprising a cell bottom and a cell sidewall, wherein the cell sidewall is configured to perimetrically surround the cell bottom and extend in an upward direction from the cell bottom to define a control volume, wherein the control volume is configured to retain a molten electrolyte bath; and   an anode assembly configured to direct current into the molten electrolyte bath, wherein the anode assembly comprises: an anode support; and an anode apparatus mechanically attached to the anode support, wherein the anode apparatus comprises:   (a) an anode body comprising at least one outer sidewall, wherein the outer sidewall is configured to define the anode shape and to perimetrically surround a hole in the anode body, wherein the hole comprises an upper opening in the top of the anode body and wherein the hole axially extends into the anode body; and   (b) an pin comprising: a first end connected to a current supply, and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is configured to extend down into the upper end of the anode body and into the hole of the anode body; and   (c) a sealing material configured to cover at least a portion of at least one of the following: an inner sidewall of the anode body; the top surface of the anode body; the pin; and the anode support.