Patent ID: 6258246
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
A drained-cathode cell for the electrowinning of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a fluoride-containing molten electrolyte, comprising:a cell bottom comprising an arrangement for collecting product aluminium surrounded by a peripheral zone of the cell bottom;one or more thermic insulating sidewalls extending generally vertically from said peripheral zone to form with the cell bottom a trough for containing during operation molten electrolyte and the product aluminium; anda sidewall lining resistant to molten electrolyte which lines the thermic insulating sidewall(s), the thermic insulating sidewall(s) inhibiting formation of an electrolyte crust or ledge on the sidewall lining which during option remains permanently exposed to molten electrolyte,said peripheral zone being arranged to keep molten aluminium away from the sidewall lining along the entire peripheral zone, whereby the molten aluminium is prevented from reacting with the sidewall lining along the entire peripheral zone.