Cathode device for an aluminium electrolysis cell

Abstract

The cathode assembly of a reduction cell for aluminium production contains a metal pot with a bottom, bearing members covering the longitudinal and end walls and the bottom of the pot, with lining enclosed therein and cathode blocks with cathode rods forming the cathode of the reduction cell. On the longitudinal and end walls of the metal pot in the gaps between the bearing members there are fixed plate ribs and/or finger ribs with a developed structure for heat removal, with a belt made of composite material for steady heat removal installed in the upper part of the longitudinal and end walls of the metal pot. The cooling effect is achieved by a convective air flow caused by the lifting force resulting from the air heating in the space between the ribs at the melt level and the resulting temperature difference along the height of the cathode casing walls.

1 . A cathode assembly of a reduction cell for aluminium production, containing a metal pot with a bottom, bearing members covering the longitudinal and end walls and bottom of the pot, with lining enclosed therein and cathode blocks with cathode rods forming the cathode of the reduction cell, characterised in that on the longitudinal and end walls of the metal pot in the gaps between the bearing members there are fixed plate ribs and/or finger ribs with a developed structure for heat removal, with a belt for steady heat removal made of composite material installed in the upper part of the longitudinal and end walls of the metal pot. 
     
     
         2 . The cathode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the composite material of the belt consists of at least two metal layers. 
     
     
         3 . The cathode assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the top layer of the belt composite material is made of a metal with high thermal conductivity, preferably above 60 W/m·K. 
     
     
         4 . The cathode assembly of  claim 2  wherein the top layer of the belt composite material is made of aluminium or aluminium alloys. 
     
     
         5 . The cathode assembly of  claim 2  wherein the top layer of the belt composite material is made of copper or copper alloys. 
     
     
         6 . The cathode assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the belt composite material is made by joining the metal layers by pulse welding. 
     
     
         7 . The cathode assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the belt composite material comprises an intermediate layer made of titanium. 
     
     
         8 . The cathode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein heat removal regulators are installed above the bearing members. 
     
     
         9 . The cathode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein forced cooling devices are placed in the gaps between the bearing members. 
     
     
         10 . The cathode assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plate fins and/or finger fins are made of a material with a thermal conductivity above 60 W/m·K. 
     
     
         11 . The cathode assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the height of the belt is 0.2-0.5 m. 
     
     
         12 . The cathode assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the high thermal conductivity is above 60 W/m·K. 
     
     
         13 . The cathode assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the top layer of the belt composite material is made of aluminium or aluminium alloys. 
     
     
         14 . The cathode assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the top layer of the belt composite material is made of copper or copper alloys. 
     
     
         15 . The cathode assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the heat removal regulators are designed as pivoting flaps. 
     
     
         16 . The cathode assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the forced cooling devices are fans. 
     
     
         17 . The cathode assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the belt composite material is made by joining the metal layers by pulse welding. 
     
     
         18 . The cathode assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the belt composite material is made by joining the metal layers by pulse welding. 
     
     
         19 . The cathode assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the belt composite material is made by joining the metal layers by pulse welding.