US1782616A - Electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum and for like processes - Google Patents

Electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum and for like processes Download PDF

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Publication number
US1782616A
US1782616A US286588A US28658828A US1782616A US 1782616 A US1782616 A US 1782616A US 286588 A US286588 A US 286588A US 28658828 A US28658828 A US 28658828A US 1782616 A US1782616 A US 1782616A
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metal
electrolyte
cathode
carbon
aluminum
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US286588A
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Hulin Paul Leon
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Compagnie de Produits Chimiques et Electrometallurgiques Alais Froges et Camargue
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Compagnie de Produits Chimiques et Electrometallurgiques Alais Froges et Camargue
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25C7/00—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells
    • C25C7/005—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells; Servicing or operating of cells of cells for the electrolysis of melts

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  • This invention relates to the electrolytic refining of aluminum and like processes, and has for its primary object improvements in apparatus wherein refined aluminum is produced on the surface of an electrolytic bath, upon which it collects and'floats in the liquid condition, said aluminum being extracted from a denser molten alloy or metallic layer at the bottom of the apparatus.
  • the invention is applicable also to any similar operation relating to the extraction of one or more metals of the same kind.
  • the apparatus operates in accordance with the classic process of the electrolytic extraction of light metals, in which the metal to be refined or extracted constitutes the anode and occupies the bottom of the apparatus in the condition of an alloy or metallic la er, in a state of-fusion'and denser than the e ectrolyte, whilst the light metal liberated by the electrolysis forms a liquid layer which floats on the electrolyte and there plays the part of the cathode.
  • the cathode. metal is removed periodically, whilst the anode is reconstituted, suitably, either by admixture of impure light metal, or'by partial or complete replacement of the mass.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 showing an insulating crust
  • Figure 3 illustrates a sectional elevation showing the successive inner walls
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation of an aluminum refining apparatus according'to my invention.
  • Figure 5 is a sectional elevation of. another embodiment of the invention.
  • A is an electrolytic tank (of iron, steel or the like).
  • B is an interior lining of refractory material.
  • C is the layer of light metal acting as the cathode.
  • D is the denser alloy,
  • anode alloy D is arranged on a conductive sole, or better, contained in a carbon crucible F, the edges of which have hitherto been lower than the level of the anode alloy.
  • the lateral lining B should insulate completely the metal tank A and prevent any electrical connection between the electrodes C and D; moreover, it should offer adequate resistance to the solvent or liquefying action of the molten electrolyte. These conditions are most diflicult to secure conjointly, especially in the case of refining aluminum.
  • Figure 2 represents diagrammatically, at B, an insulating crust formed by the preliminary solidification of the electrolyte on the suitably cooled metal wall A.
  • the layer C of light metal bears laterally against this lining, which, of course, should extend above the level of the metal.
  • the lining thus formed is highly unstable, tending to increase and diminish in thickness successively, according to variations in the working conditions of the electrolysis.
  • the inner surface of this crust is necessarily pasty and lacking in consistency, so that it gives way or slips toa greater or less extent on contact with the metal. This gives rise to'diffusion of the liquid or pasty bath, the formation of magmas, excrescences, dispersions'of the hardened bath, and so on, which invade mg a layer of electrolyte on the metal walls lining presents a large superficial area, and
  • the present invention provides electrolytic apparatus suitable for refining aluminum or for similar operations and intended to remedy the aforesaid inconveniences. It is characterized essentially by an arrangement of practically stable walls disposed in the zone of the electrolyte and that of the floating metal, ensuring the separation and insulation of the superimposed liquid layers, obviating the harmful penetration of hardened bath material into the refined metal, facilitating the accession and collection of the latter and the cathodic connection of the current in said layer of met-a1, greatly reducing the possibilities of oxidation, and so on.
  • the anode stage the wall of which is formed by the edges of the bottom crucible; the electrolyte stage, the wall of which is formed by a frame of insulating material; and the cathode stage, the wall of which is a carbon frame electrically insulated from the exterior metal shell.
  • Figure 3 represents, as a sectional elevation, the essential composition of this system of apparatus with inner walls arranged in stages.
  • the wall F which contains the anode, is preferably of agglomerated carbon or graphite.
  • the wall H which surrounds the electrolyteis composed of suitable insulating material, or formed of the solidified electrolyte.
  • the wall G which encloses the cathode, is of agglomerated carbon or graphite.
  • BB denote insulating substance inserted between the shell A and the walls G and F.
  • the refined metal accumulated as a liquid layer over the electrolyte is not surrounded by an electrically neutral wall with a asty and varying surface, formed by the so idified electrolyte, but rests against firm and solid walls which, at the same time, are conductors of current and electrically active.
  • the insulating wall H reduced in height and situated lower than the crust B shown in Figure 2 is no longer exposed to the pressure and deforming influence of the bath of cathode metal; and bein protected, both above and below, by two ot er solid and fixed (except for wear ⁇ ) walls, it acquires a satisfactory ing the aluminum to be refined, disposed in the carbon crucible F; E the electrolyte, forming a liquid layer of intermediate density and separating the electrodes C and D.
  • the layer C of pure aluminum forming the active cathode instead of being surrounded by an insulating material with a pasty and fugitive surface, is contained laterally b -a carbon frame G, forming a wall of de nite and invariable shape, which is independent of the shell A and, moreover, exhibits the characteristic of being an electric conductor.
  • a peripheral recess h is formed for housing a hollow metal frame H traversed by a current of water admitted and remove by pipe connections such as e.
  • the molten electrolyte with which the apparatus has been charged penetrates into the space it surrounding the frame H. There it is solidified by the cooling effect produced by the circulation of the water in the frame H, and forms an insulating ring or belt, which, in the example shown is of recumbent channel cross-section, separating the two carbon linings G and F.
  • This insulating ring formed in the said manner and held between fixed solid members, may be kept out of contact with the liquid cathode, thus preventing the disturbances occurrin round this latter when entirely surroun ed by solidified electrolyte according to the principle set forth above with reference to Figure 2.
  • the height of the zone of solidified electrolyte is reduced to a minimum, thereby minimizing, and even rendering negligible, the consequence of the changes in thickness to which walls of this kind are, necessarily, liable.
  • peripheral carbon lining G which is in contact with the cathode of aluminum, serves to bring the current to the latter, with the advantage of affording readier access to' the up er part of the apparatus and the layer of re ned aluminum.
  • This lining G which is covered convenratus to be shut o from the outer air when desired.
  • the carbon lining G is extended towards the centre of the apparatus, in the form of a flattened hood or in-
  • the refined aluminum collects under this hood or cupola, and is there protected efficiently.
  • the same active cathode surface is provided, as in the previous case, but the up er face, which is exposed to the air, is re uced considerably.
  • the pit J might, if desired, be disposedout of centre towards one side of the apparatus, in order to render it more accessible in an apparatus of large dimensions.
  • the inner rim of the pit J which is in contact with the air, is preferably composed of a ring K of suitable refractory material, such as alundum, that is, very compact alumina,- or of corundum, both being agglomerated.
  • suitable refractory material such as alundum, that is, very compact alumina,- or of corundum, both being agglomerated.
  • the hood G is preferably of graphite and a may be composed of several ,parts assembled together in various ways The same applies also to the frame C, Figure 4.
  • Figure 5 might extend further towards the lining G' or be more or less merged into the insulating material m.
  • the cover plate I is of course, adapted to the shape of the hood G to which it may convey the current in the manner already indicated with reference to Figure 4:.
  • a thick layer m of heat-insulating material may be inserted between the hood G and the cover plate I.
  • the apparatus thus constituted is particularly suitable for being fitted with a detachable cover L, so that it can operate with exclusion of air and extraneous substances.
  • ments, less electropositive than aluminum, may be added to the anode alloy in order to increase its density or fusibility.
  • the anode alloy When the anode alloy no longer contains sufficient aluminum, it receives a fresh charge thereof by means of a graphite dipping tube, or is itself drawn oil through a lower tap hole 0 and replaced by a fresh charge of molten alloy, introduced in the same manner through a graphite tube passed through the layer of refined metal.
  • the electrolyte has a cryolite basis, and contains a small proportion of alumina, and
  • compositions for obtaining suitable relative densities for the anode alloy and the bath being variable and already known, per se, form no part of the invention; and the same applies to the composition and method of replenishing the anode alloy.
  • the described system of apparatus which is more particularly intended for refining aluminum, may be applied to the extraction orrefining of other light metals.
  • An electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum, extracting other metals, and similar operations comprising a shell containing three superimposed layers in a state of fusion consisting of an anode of a dense alloy of the metal to be extracted, a halogenated bath forming the electrolyte, and a light metal forming the floating cathode, and an inner lining composed of a horizontal frame, of refractory material or carbon, surrounding the anode, a horizontal frame of insulating material containing the electrolyte, and a frame composed substantially of carbon, surrounding the cathode and insulated fromthe metal shell.
  • An electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum, extracting other metals, and similar operations comprising a shell containing three superimposed layers in a state of fusion consisting of an anode of a dense alloy of the metal to be extracted; a halogenated bath forming the electrolyte, and a light metal forming the floating cathode, and an inner lining composed of a horizontal frame, of refractory material or carbon, containing the anode, a horizontal frame of insulating material surrounding the electrolyte, and a frame composed substantially of carbon, surrounding the cathode and insulated from the metal shell, the insulating frame separating the car- 'bon cathode lining from the lower anode lining, and being composed of solidified electrolyte.
  • An electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum, extracting other metals, and similar operations comprising three superimposed layers in a state of fusion consisting of an anode of a dense alloy of the metal to be extracted, a halogenated bath forming the electrolyte, and a light metal forming the floating cathode, and an inner lining composed of a horizontal frame, of refractory material or carbon, containing the anode, a horizontal frame of insulating material containing the electrolyte, and a frame composed substantially of carbon, surrounding the cathode and insulated from the metal shell, the carbon frame enclosing the floating cathode being electrically active and being employed to lead the current into said metallic layer.
  • An apparatus for refining aluminum by electrolysis with fused fluorides having a lateral lining comprising three superimposed members. consisting of a bottom member of carbon, a ring of solidified electrolyte and an upper member of carbon.
  • An electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum, extracting other metals, and similar operations comprising three superimposed layers in a state of fusion consisting of an anode of a dense alloy of the metal to be extracted, a halogenated bath forming the electrolyte, and a light metal forming the floating cathode, and an inner lining composed of a horizontal frame, of refractory material or carbon, containing.
  • the anode a horizontal frame of insulating material containing the electrolyte, and a frame composed substantially of carbon, surrounding the cathode and insulated from the metal shell, the upper member of the lining being extended above the bath, forming a hooded cover protecting the metallic layer and forming a pit in which the resulting metal collects readily.
  • An electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum, extracting other metals, and similar operations comprising a shell containing three superimposed layers in a state of fusion consisting of an anode of a dense alloy of the metal to be extracted, a halogenated bath forming the electrolyte, and a light metal forming the floating cathode, and an inner lining composed of a horizontal frame,- of refractory material or carbon, containing the anode, a horizontal frame of insulatinv material containing the electrolyte, and a rame composed substantially of carbon, surrounding the cathode and insulated from the metal shell, the upper member of the lining being extended above the bath, forming a hooded cover protecting the metallic layer and forming a. pit in which the resulting metal collects readily, the opening in the carbon hood being lined with a ring of refractory material.
  • An electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum, extracting other metals, and sim ilar operations comprising a metal shell containing three superimposed layers in a state of fusion consist-ing of an anode of a dense alloy of the metal to be' extracted, a halogenated bath forming the electrolyte, and a light metal forming the floating cathode, and an inner lining composed of a horizontal frame, of refractory material or carbon, containing the anode, a horizontal frame of insulating material containing the electrolyte, and a frame composed substantially of carbon, surrounding the cathode and insulated from the metal shell, the upper member of the lining being extended above the bath, forming a hooded cover protecting the metallic layer and forming a pit in which the resulting metal collects readily, a movable cover completing the cathode top, to protect the floating molten metal against oxidation and contamination from outside.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
US286588A 1927-07-04 1928-06-19 Electrolytic apparatus for refining aluminum and for like processes Expired - Lifetime US1782616A (en)

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FR489869X 1927-07-04

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DE (1) DE489869C (fr)
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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2582661A (en) * 1945-12-03 1952-01-15 Pechiney Prod Chimiques Sa Method for electrolytically refining aluminum
US2786024A (en) * 1953-04-16 1957-03-19 Elektrokemisk As Arrangement of cathode bars in electrolytic pots
US3235479A (en) * 1961-02-17 1966-02-15 Chlormetals Inc Electrolytic cell
US3271277A (en) * 1962-04-30 1966-09-06 Leonard F Yntema Refractory metal production
US3502553A (en) * 1965-02-16 1970-03-24 Hans Gruber Process and apparatus for the electrolytic continuous direct production of refined aluminum and of aluminum alloys
US3996117A (en) * 1974-03-27 1976-12-07 Aluminum Company Of America Process for producing aluminum
US10407786B2 (en) 2015-02-11 2019-09-10 Alcoa Usa Corp. Systems and methods for purifying aluminum

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2582661A (en) * 1945-12-03 1952-01-15 Pechiney Prod Chimiques Sa Method for electrolytically refining aluminum
US2786024A (en) * 1953-04-16 1957-03-19 Elektrokemisk As Arrangement of cathode bars in electrolytic pots
US3235479A (en) * 1961-02-17 1966-02-15 Chlormetals Inc Electrolytic cell
US3271277A (en) * 1962-04-30 1966-09-06 Leonard F Yntema Refractory metal production
US3502553A (en) * 1965-02-16 1970-03-24 Hans Gruber Process and apparatus for the electrolytic continuous direct production of refined aluminum and of aluminum alloys
US3996117A (en) * 1974-03-27 1976-12-07 Aluminum Company Of America Process for producing aluminum
US10407786B2 (en) 2015-02-11 2019-09-10 Alcoa Usa Corp. Systems and methods for purifying aluminum

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Publication number Publication date
GB293353A (en) 1929-02-14
DE489869C (de) 1930-01-20
FR649014A (fr) 1928-12-17

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