Patent ID: 7820027
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
1. A method for producing aluminum in an aluminum electrolysis cell, the method comprising: operating the aluminum electrolysis cell at a temperature of between about 900° C. and 1000° C., the aluminum electrolysis cell containing a molten bath; generating gas bubbles from the molten bath during the operating step; and directing the gas bubbles toward a centerline of the aluminum electrolysis cell via non-continuous slots located in carbon anodes of the aluminum electrolysis cell; wherein each of the carbon anodes comprises top, bottom and side surfaces, a first of the side surfaces being disposed toward the centerline of the aluminum electrolysis cell; wherein each of the non-continuous slots is present only in the bottom surface and the first side surface of its carbon anode; wherein each of the non-continuous slots extends across the majority of the length of the bottom surface of its carbon anode; and wherein the directing step comprises flowing the gas bubbles from beneath the bottom surface of the carbon anodes through the non-continuous slots.