ALUMINUM SMELTER INCLUDING CELLS HAVING A CATHODE OUTLET THROUGH THE BASE OF THE CASING, AND A MEANS FOR STABILIZING THE CELLS

摘要

The invention relates to an aluminum smelter, including: (i) a series of electrolytic cells (2) including an anode (9), a cathode, and a casing having a side wall (7a) and a bottom wall, each cathode including at least one cathode outlet (12); (ii) a main electrical circuit through which an electrolytic current passes, and which includes an electrical conductor (14) connected to each cathode outlet (12) of a cell N, and to the anode (9) of a cell N+1; and (iii) a means for stabilizing the electrolytic cells (2), which is provided in the form of either a secondary electrical circuit (5, 6) or a cathode having a crenulated surface. One of the cathode outlets (12) of the cell N passes through the bottom wall of the casing. Each electrical conductor (14) extends from each cathode outlet (12) of the cell N to the cell N+1, and the electrolytic current passes therethrough only in an upstream-to-downstream direction during the operation of the electrolytic cells N and N+1 (2).