ELECTROLYTIC CELL WITH CONDUCTOR THROUGH ANODIC BODY OF METAL COMPOUND AND REDUCING AGENT

摘要

There is described an apparatus for the electrolytic production of aluminum. The apparatus includes an anode body comprising a mixture of an oxygencontaining compound of aluminum and an electrically conductive reducing agent. The anode body includes at least a portion adapted to be immersed in an appropriate electrolyte, with at least one active surface of the portion adapted to be positioned in opposed relationship to but spaced from the surface of a cathode for providing an active anode surface at which the metal oxide may be converted to metal ions recoverable as molten metal at the opposing surface of the cathode. The apparatus further includes a conductor of higher electrical conductivity than the anodic mixture in physical contact with the anode body, the conductor being adapted to conduct substantially the entire anodic current to the immersible portion of the anode body when connected to a source of electrical power. The conductor extends through the anode body mixture and has an end positioned at least approximately adjacent the active surface of the anode body for transmitting anodic current directly from the conductor to at least the mixture adjacent the end of the conductor and to the active surface thereby providing a short, low resistance current path through the mixture to the surface. The conductor itself comprises at least one member adapted during the electrolytic production of aluminum to leave the end position of the conductor relative to the active surface substantially unchanged as the anodic mixture at the surface is consumed in the electrolytic process.