Patent ID: 9631289
Date: 2017-04-25
CPC Classifications: C25C

Claim:
1. A method for starting up an electrolytic cell for aluminum production, the electrolytic cell having a cathode block with an upper surface, the method comprising: disposing contact resistance material on said upper surface of the cathode block; lowering a plurality of anodes to abut the contact resistance material, wherein the plurality of anodes are carbonaceous anodes each having a bottom surface confronting the cathode block, an upper surface opposite the bottom surface, and side walls extending upward from the cathode block to the upper surface, such that the upper surface extends inwardly from the side walls; filling the electrolytic cell to a height covering the upper surface of each of the plurality of anodes with solid electrolyte material, the solid electrolyte material comprising crushed electrolytic bath material, cryolite, or mixtures thereof; delivering electrical current to the plurality of anodes to at least partially melt the solid electrolyte material; and raising the plurality of anodes away from the cathode block when a predetermined depth of molten electrolyte material has been reached, wherein filling the electrolytic cell with the solid electrolyte material comprises providing sufficient solid electrolyte material so that when the plurality of anodes are raised, enough solid electrolyte material has melted to maintain a minimum voltage required to continue to heat the electrolytic cell.