Patent ID: 7749363
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: C25C

Abstract:
1. A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium from an aluminium compound dissolved in a molten electrolyte, in particular by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a fluoride-based molten electrolyte, comprising:—a plurality of individual non-carbon anodes or a plurality of groups of non-carbon anodes, each individual anode or group of anodes being suspended in operation in the molten electrolyte by an anode stem that connects the individual anode or the group of anodes to a positive current source; and—a thermic insulating cover which covers the electrolyte and through which each anode stem extends from the positive current source to an individual anode or a group of anodes, the insulating cover comprising a plurality of movable sections that together cover a substantial part of the electrolyte, each movable section covering a corresponding portion of the electrolyte that is located therebelow and that can be uncovered by moving the corresponding movable section, characterised in that the anode stem of each individual anode or group of anodes extends through the insulating cover between two movable sections or between a movable section and a fixed section of the insulating cover when said sections are in a covering position over the electrolyte, each movable section being movable to uncover the corresponding electrolyte portion without interrupting operation of any individual anode or any group of anodes.