Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A drained cathode cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a cell bottom (20) arranged to collect product aluminium and thermic insulating sidewalls (55,55') lined with a molten electrolyte resistant sidewall lining (50) which is made of material liable to react with molten aluminium, in particular containing silicon carbide, silicon nitride or boron nitride. The thermic insulating sidewalls (55,55') inhibit formation of an electrolyte crust on the lining (50), whereby the lining (50) is exposed to molten electrolyte. The cell bottom (20) has a peripheral surface from which the insulating sidewalls (55,55') extend generally vertically to form, with the cell bottom, a trough for containing molten electrolyte and aluminium produced on at least one drained cathode (32). The peripheral surface of the cell bottom (20) is arranged to keep the product aluminium from contacting and reacting with the molten electrolyte resistant sidewall lining (50) above and around the entire peripheral surface.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim