An electrode body of an electrode for the electrolytic production of a metal

Abstract

It is disclosed an electrode body for the electrolytic production of a metal comprising a first portion for operatively connecting the electrode body to an electrolytic cell: a second portion, opposite the first portion; and a middle portion extending between the first and second portions. The body has a continuous external surface forming a round transition between the second and middle portions. The external surface of the middle portion comprises two opposite outer flat surfaces for facing surfaces of adjacent electrodes when the electrode is plunged into an electrolytic bath of the electrolytic cell comprising said adjacent electrodes. Preferably, the electrode is an anode and the anode body has a bore shape with a continuous external surface of the body wall. Preferably, the electrode body is made from a metal alloy, a ceramic or cermet material to form an inert or oxygen-evolving anode used for an eco-friendly production of aluminum.

1 . An electrode body of an electrode for the electrolytic production of a metal, the electrode body extending longitudinally along an axis Z and comprising:
 a first portion configured for operatively connecting the electrode body to an electrolytic cell;   a second portion, opposite the first portion; and   a middle portion extending between the first and second portions;   wherein the electrode body has a continuous external surface forming a round transition between the second and middle portions, and   wherein the continuous external surface of the middle portion defines two opposite outer flat surfaces for facing surfaces of adjacent electrodes when the electrode is plunged into an electrolytic bath of an electrolytic cell comprising said adjacent electrodes.   
     
     
         2 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , further comprising a longitudinal inner hole extending from the first portion and configured for receiving, at least in part, an electrode pin for operatively connecting the electrode body to an electric power supply when the electrode pin is installed therein, the longitudinal inner hole and the electrode body then defining a body wall around the longitudinal inner hole. 
     
     
         3 . The electrode body according to  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal inner hole defines a non-uniform cross-sectional area between the first and second portions of the electrode body. 
     
     
         4 . The electrode body according to  claim 3 , wherein the non-uniform cross-sectional area of the inner hole adjacent the first portion is larger than the non-uniform cross-sectional area adjacent the middle and/or second portions. 
     
     
         5 . The electrode body according to  claim 2 , wherein the non-uniform cross-sectional area of the inner hole adjacent the first portion has a first geometry that is different than a second geometry of the non-uniform cross-sectional area adjacent the second portion. 
     
     
         6 . The electrode body according to  claim 5 , wherein the first geometry defines a circular cross-sectional area whereas the second geometry defines a rectangular cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         7 . The electrode body according to  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the electrode body is closed and wherein the body wall defined by the second and middle portions has a uniform or nearly uniform thickness. 
     
     
         8 . The electrode body according to  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the electrode body is closed and wherein the body wall defined by the second portion has a first thickness superior to a second thickness of the body wall defined by the middle portion. 
     
     
         9 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the electrode body has an oval-like shape or a rectangle-like shape with round corners. 
     
     
         10 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the body wall has a circular or oval shape. 
     
     
         11 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flat surfaces are configured to extend from the second portion to the first portion according to an angle α with the longitudinal axis Z of about 0° such as to be parallel to a plane formed by the adjacent electrodes' surfaces and provide a constant distance between the middle portion of the electrode body and adjacent electrodes. 
     
     
         12 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer flat surfaces are configured to inwardly extend from the second portion to the first portion according to an angle α with the longitudinal axis Z of between about 0,5° and about 5°. 
     
     
         13 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion of the body wall also comprises two opposite outer lateral surfaces connecting the two opposite outer flat surfaces, the outer lateral surfaces forming a round shaped transition between the two opposite outer flat surfaces of the electrode body. 
     
     
         14 . The electrode body according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the outer lateral surfaces extends inwardly from the second portion to the first portion. 
     
     
         15 . The electrode body according to  claim 14 , wherein each of the two inwardly extending opposite outer lateral surfaces defines a shoulder-shaped transition along the longitudinal axis Z between the middle portion and the first portion. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , further comprising a failsafe system adjacent the first portion to mechanically connect the electrode body to the refractory package. 
     
     
         17 . The electrode body according to  claim 16 , wherein the failsafe system comprises an external groove in the electrode body around and adjacent the first portion. 
     
     
         18 . The electrode body according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is an anode, and the electrode body is an anode body made from a metal or alloy thereof, a ceramic or a cermet material to form an inert or oxygen-evolving anode. 
     
     
         19 . An electrode comprising the electrode body as defined in  claim 1  and an electrode pin inserted into the electrode body. 
     
     
         20 . The electrode according to  claim 19  for use for the making of aluminum. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)