Importance

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Abstract

A drained-cathode cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises one or more anodes (14) suspended over one or more cathodes (16). The or each anode (14) and cathode (16) respectively have a sloped V-shaped active anode surface (22) and parallel sloped inverted V-shaped drained cathode surfaces (18) facing one another and spaced apart by two sloped inter-electrode gaps (20), arranged so the electrolyte circulates upwardly in the sloped inter-electrode gaps (20) assisted by anodically produced gas and then returns from a top part (22') to a bottom part (22') of each inter-electrode gap (20) along an electrolyte path (26,27,36,37). Each electrolyte path (26,27,36,37) extends through vertical and horizontal passages as follow: a vertical passage (27) from a top to a lower part of a cathode (16) and then a horizontal passage (26) in or under the lower part of the cathode (26), and/or a horizontal passage (36) in or on an upper part of an anode (14) and then a vertical passage (37) extending from the upper to a bottom part of the anode (14). Each horizontal passage (26,36) extends substantially over the entire horizontal length of a corresponding inter-electrode gap (20).

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First Claim