[0001] This invention relates to a potline for the electrolytic production of aluminium
which provides compensation for the unwanted electromagnetic influence from the rectifier
and the end cells of the potline.
[0002] It is of great importance for the economical production of aluminium by electrolysis
that the electrical energy is used in the most efficient way. It is also very important
that the various parts of the busbar arrangement, which conducts the current from
the rectifier to the first electrolytic cell in the row, from the last cell in said
row to the first cell in the neighbouring row and then from the last cell to the rectifier,
are positioned so as to minimize the magnetic field induced in the cells.
[0003] A typical arrangement of the aluminium electrolytic cells is to position the cells
transversely in rows with the electric current being conducted from one cell to the
next and from one row to the next. The direction of the current in one row will be
opposite to the current direction in the neighbouring row.
[0004] The present electrolytic process utilizes a current of 200 to 300 kA. This current
induces large magnetic fields affecting the neighbouring rows and cells causing great
problems because the magnetic fields influence the molten metal forming the cathode
in the bottom of each cell.
[0005] The distance between two rows of cells in a potline is normally such that the only
effect on the neighbouring row will be the vertical component of the magnetic field.
To compensate for the unwanted or bias field component caused by the neighbouring
row, a higher current is normally passed around or under the short end facing the
neighbouring row rather than to other parts of the transversely arranged electrolysis
cells.
[0006] The first and last cell (end cells) of every row are the cells which are most exposed
to the electromagnetic field, because they are influenced by the magnetic field both
from the neighbouring row and from the busbars conducting the current from one end
of the potline area back to the rectifier and, at the other end, conducting the current
from one row to the next (between the end cells). This influence can be reduced by
increasing the distance between the rectifier and the potline, and by increasing the
distance from the last cell in a row to the transverse busbar leading the current
to the neighbouring row. This is however an expensive method, giving unnecessary long
busbars and requiring a large area.
[0007] A potline for the electrolytic production of aluminium, in accordance with the invention,
comprises at least two rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged tranversely
in each row and is characterised in that the electric current is conducted to and
from the end cells by three or more asymmetrically arranged supply bars via a distribution
bar on each end cell, so that a net current is formed in the distribution bar, providing
compensation for the magnetic influence from the rectifier field and end cell field.
[0008] This arrangement reduces the installation costs by reducing the busbar length and
saves space by reducing the distance between the rectifier and the potline at one
end and between the transverse busbar and the potline at the other end of the potline.
[0009] The invention will now be explained in detail by way of example, with reference to
the accompanying drawing illustrating a potline according to the invention.
[0010] The drawing illustrates the end cells of the row of cells and not the whole row of
cells. It is also understood that by using well-known technology the rows per se are
stabilized with respect to influence from the neighbouring row.
[0011] Electric current from the rectifier L is carried in three or more supply bars T to
the first end cells in row 1, and is connected asymmetrically to a distribution bar
A comprising four or more risers S being symetrically positioned with respect to the
cell. This arrangement will give a net electric current in the distribution bar A
conducted from right to left and provides compensation for the first end cell in row
1. The electric current is thereafter conducted from the cathode of an upstream cell
to the anode of the next downstream cell, as normal, and to the other end cell in
row 1.
[0012] The electric current is conducted from this second end cell to a distribution bar
B. The current is then conducted from the distribution bar to the first cell in the
neighbouring row 2 seen in the current direction via three or more supply bars T asymmetrically
positioned with respect to the midpoint of the distribution bar B. This arrangement
gives a net current in the distribution bar B from left to right and provides the
necessary extra compensation for this other end cell in row 1.
[0013] The electric current is further conducted to a distribution bar C on the first cell
in the row 2 by means of asymmetrically arranged supply bars T. Thereafter the current
is conducted from the cathode of an upstream cell to the anode of the next downstream
cell, as normal, to the other end cell in the row 2. From this other end cell in row
2 the current is conducted to a distribution bar D. The current is then conducted
via three or more supply bars T, being asymmetrically arranged with respect to the
midpoint of the distribution bar D, back to the rectifier L, as illustrated in the
drawing.
[0014] It is obvious that the dimensioning and positioning of the distribution bars, the
risers and the supply bars in the rectifier field and end field will determine the
current intensity in the distribution bar, and the level of compensation for the end
cells.
[0015] The practical arrangment of the invention will be solved by normal construction procedures,
with respect to the numerous factors and conditions which are considered when building
and planning an aluminium potline with a high current intensity and reduced magnetic
field. Normally, only the end cells in a potline with a current above 200 kA need
extra compensation.
1. A potline for the electrolytic production of aluminium comprising at least two
rows of reduction cells with the cells arranged transversely in each row, characterized
in that the electric current is conducted to and from the end cells by three or more
asymmetrically arranged supply bars (T) via a distribution bar (A,B,C,D) on each end
cell, so that a net current is formed in the distribution bar, providing compensation
for the magnetic influence from the rectifier field and end cell field.
