BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of aluminum electrolytic cell,
in particular to an aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar
protrusions embedded on its upper surface.
2. The Prior Arts
[0002] At present, industrial pure aluminum is prepared by using an electrolysis method
for molten cryolite alumina salts, and an anode of an electrolytic cell is composed
of anode carbon blocks prepared from calcined petroleum coke. A cathode of the electrolytic
cell is also composed of carbon blocks. The bottom of each cathode carbon block is
provided with a steel bar, both ends of the steel bar are extended from the two sides
of the electrolytic cell and are connected with a cathode bus, and one cathode carbon
block is bonded to the other cathode carbon block by carbon paste.
[0003] At present, most cathode carbon blocks of industrial aluminum electrolytic cells
are made of anthracite which is calcined at high temperature. To increase the conductibility
and the corrosion resistance to sodium and electrolyte of the cathode carbon blocks,
artificial graphite is added into the ingredients of electrically-calcined anthracite
carbon blocks which are widely used. When the content of the artificial graphite generally
accounts for 30-50% of the aggregate ingredient of the whole cathode carbon block,
the cathode carbon block is called half-graphite cathode carbon block. Full-graphite
carbon block is also used. The so-called full-graphite cathode carbon block is a carbon
block when all the aggregate ingredients (including powder material) used for making
the cathode carbon block are artificial graphite (100%). In addition, to enable the
cathode carbon block to have lower resistance and better corrosion resistance to sodium
and electrolyte in order that the cathode of the electrolytic cell can have smaller
cathode voltage drop and longer service life, many electrolytic cells with large capacity
begin to use graphitized cathode carbon blocks or semi- graphitized cathode carbon
blocks which are fully made of petroleum coke. However, after the half-graphite, graphite
and graphitized cathode carbon blocks are used as the cathode carbon blocks of the
aluminum electrolytic cells, with the increase of the constituent content of artificial
graphite in the cathode carbon blocks, the strength and erosion and corrosion resistance
of the cathode carbon blocks to the aluminum liquid in the electrolytic cell become
poorer and poorer.
[0004] In 2007, Feng Naixiang, from Northeastern University, invented an aluminum electrolytic
cell with irregular cathode structure, and the aluminum electrolytic cell with irregular
cathode structure is characterized in that the surface of the cathode carbon block
is provided with protrusions. The protrusions have the functions for greatly reducing
the flow speed and fluctuation of the aluminum liquid and increasing the stability
of the aluminum liquid in the electrolytic cell. Thus, the cell voltage of the electrolytic
cell is greatly reduced, the current efficiency is further increased, and the effect
of greatly reducing the electric power consumption of the aluminum electrolytic cell
is obtained.
[0005] One crucial technical requirement to the cathode of the aluminum electrolytic cell
with irregular cathode structure is that: the protrusions on the cathode carbon block
of the electrolytic cell must have better erosion resistance to the cathode aluminum
liquid. The traditional cathode carbon block mainly made of calcined anthracite has
high erosion resistance to the cathode aluminum liquid. The practice of the series
production of aluminum electrolytic cell with irregular cathode structure indicates
that for the anthracite carbon block which has protrusions on its cathode surface
and includes 30% artificial graphite, the consumption of the protrusions on the cathode
surface of the carbon block can be reduced to 10 mm/year, and the height of the cathode
protrusions can be 110 mm. Therefore, the cathode carbon block which is made of anthracite
used as main aggregate material and is provided with protrusions on the surface of
the cathode carbon block can meet the requirement of the aluminum electrolytic cell
to the life of the protrusions of the cathode carbon block.
[0006] However, for the graphite cathode carbon block or graphitized cathode carbon block
which is mainly made of artificial graphite used as main aggregate material, the erosion
resistance of the cathode carbon block to the aluminum liquid is far less than that
of the cathode carbon block mainly made of anthracite used as main aggregate material,
and the erosion resistance of the latter is several times as many as that of the former.
Therefore, the graphite or graphitized cathode carbon block which is provided with
protrusions on its surface cannot well meet the requirement of the aluminum electrolytic
cell with irregular cathode structure to the life of the protrusions on its cathode
surface. In addition, the cathode carbon block of the aluminum electrolytic cell whose
surface has horizontal protrusions perpendicular to the vertical direction of the
cathode carbon block of the electrolytic cell has the disadvantages of large processing
amount and high material consumption, thereby increasing the material cost, the processing
cost and the production cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In terms of the above problems, the present invention provides an aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface.
By embedding protrusions on the surface of the anthracite carbon block or the upper
surface of the full-graphite or semi-graphitized or fully- graphitized cathode carbon
block substrate, the cathode carbon block has high erosion resistance to the aluminum
liquid.
[0008] The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of the present invention comprises a cell shell, a cell
lining refractory insulation material, side carbon bricks, cathode carbon blocks and
cathode steel bars. Carbon paste is filled between two cathode carbon blocks, and
each cathode carbon block is rammed with each side carbon brick by the carbon paste;
wherein the cathode carbon block consists of a cathode carbon block substrate and
columnar protrusions on the upper surface of the substrate, and the columnar protrusions
are embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate.
[0009] Graphite paste is filled between the columnar protrusions and the cathode carbon
block substrate, and the graphite paste is prepared by mixing thermosetting resin
and graphite powder.
[0010] The cathode carbon block substrate is cuboid, the upper surface of the cathode carbon
block substrate is provided grooves, and the columnar protrusions are embedded on
the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate by the grooves.
[0011] The columnar protrusions are cuboid or cylindrical.
[0012] The columnar protrusions are made of calcined anthracite, or the mixture of calcined
anthracite and artificial graphite, or artificial graphite broken into aggregate and
asphalt which are kneaded and then roasted, or made of artificial graphite electrode
and graphite block by processing. When the columnar protrusions are cylindrical, a
part of the side surface of the columnar protrusions embedded into the cathode carbon
block substrate is machined with external threads.
[0013] In the above electrolytic cell, when the columnar protrusions are cuboid, the length
direction of the columnar protrusions is perpendicular to that of the cathode carbon
block substrate. Under the condition that the width of the cathode carbon block substrate
is 50-70 cm, the length of the columnar protrusions is 21-35 cm, the width of the
columnar protrusions is 17-30 cm, and the height difference between the columnar protrusions
and the cathode carbon block substrate is 9-15 cm. When the width of the cathode carbon
block substrate is increased, the length of the columnar protrusions is increased
in accordance with the increased proportion of the width of the cathode carbon block
substrate.
[0014] In the above electrolytic cell, when the columnar protrusions are cylindrical, and
the width of the cathode carbon block substrate is 50-70 cm, the diameter of the columnar
protrusions is 17-35 cm, and the height difference between the columnar protrusions
and the cathode carbon block substrate is 9-15 cm. When the width of the cathode carbon
block is increased, the diameter of the columnar protrusions is increased in accordance
with the increased proportion of the width of the cathode carbon block substrate.
[0015] In the above electrolytic cell, the columnar protrusions are arranged into two rows
or three rows in the length direction of the upper surface of the cathode carbon block
substrate, and two adjacent rows of columnar protrusions are crisscross arranged.
Under the condition that the width of the cathode carbon block substrate is 50-70
cm, the distance between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions
of the same row is 17-35 cm, the distance between two adjacent columnar protrusions
of the columnar protrusions of different rows on the same cathode carbon block is
5-20 cm, and the distance between two columnar protrusions adjacent to the aluminum
outlet is 30-70 cm.
[0016] The depth of the above columnar protrusions in the cathode carbon block substrate
is 5-10 cm.
[0017] The cathode carbon block of the aluminum electrolytic cell of the present invention
is prepared in accordance with the following steps:
[0018] 1. The method for preparing the cathode carbon block substrate is divided into two
types:
[0019] (1) Machining: circular pot holes of 5-10 cm in depth are machined in the positions
where columnar protrusions are embedded of the upper surface of the anthracite or
graphite cathode carbon block substrate prepared at 1100°C-1300°C or the upper surface
of the semi-graphitized or graphitized cathode carbon block substrate which is graphitized
at 2300°C-2500°C after being roasted at 1100°C-1300°C, the side wall of each pot hole
is machined with internal threads, and the internal threads are matched with the external
threads of the cylindrical columnar protrusions;
[0020] (2) Vibration molding or compression molding: when using vibration molding or compression
molding to prepare the green compact of cathode carbon block substrate, the bottom
surface of a heavy obj ect on the material in the vibration molding mold is changed
from a traditional plane into a structure with protrusions, or the bottom surface
of a compression mold on the material in the mold is changed from a traditional plane
into a structure having protrusions on its surface during compression molding; thus,
after the cathode carbon block substrate is prepared by vibration molding or compression
molding, the upper surface of the green compact of the cathode carbon block substrate
which is prepared by vibration molding or compression molding has pot holes used for
arranging the columnar protrusions; wherein the distribution locations of the protrusions
on the bottom surface of the heavy object on the material in the mold or the mold
bottom surface of the material in the mold correspond to the locations of the columnar
protrusions embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate; the
shape of the protrusions is consistent with that of the pot holes for arranging the
columnar protrusions embedded on the upper surface produced by vibration molding or
compression molding; the depth of the pot holes is 5-10 cm; when the cathode carbon
block substrate is an anthracite cathode carbon block substrate, a graphite cathode
carbon block substrate or a semi-graphite cathode carbon block substrate, the green
compact of the above cathode carbon block is roasted at 1100°C-1300°C to be prepared
into a cathode carbon block substrate with pot holes; when the cathode carbon block
substrate is a graphitized or a semi-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate, the
roasting method and the method for making the pot holes are the same as those used
in method (1), the cathode carbon block substrate is treated at high temperature of
2300°C-3000°C in a graphitizing furnace after being roasted to be prepared into a
semi-graphitized or a fully-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate; the pot holes
on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate are divided into circular
pot holes and square pot holes; when the pot holes are circular pot holes, the inner
wall of each pot hole is machined with internal threads, and the internal threads
are matched with the external threads of the cylindrical columnar protrusions; when
the pot holes are square pot holes, the inner wall of each pot hole is provided with
at least four circular pits with the diameter of not less than 5 mm and depth of not
less than 10 mm;
[0021] 2. Thermosetting resin is mixed with graphite powder to prepare graphite paste, and
the mix proportion is required to be capable of mixing paste; the graphite paste is
filled into the pot holes; the columnar protrusions are arranged into the pot holes,
wherein when the columnar protrusions are cuboid, the pot holes are square pot holes,
the length and the width of the pot holes are 1-10 mm more than the length and the
width of the columnar protrusions, and the cuboid columnar protrusions are vertically
compressed into the pot holes; when the columnar protrusions are cylindrical, the
pot holes are circular, and the side wall is machined with internal threads; the external
threads of the columnar protrusions are matched with the internal threads of the pot
holes, the columnar protrusions are screwed in the pot holes, and graphite paste is
filled in the gap between the internal threads and the external threads; after the
columnar protrusions are arranged into the pot holes, a part of the graphite paste
in the pot holes is extruded from the gap between the protrusions and the pot holes,
and then is accumulated at the junction of the upper surface of the cathode carbon
block substrate and the columnar protrusions.
[0022] In the process of roasting the aluminum electrolytic cell, the volatile matter is
discharged from the thermosetting resin of the graphite paste to be carbonized, and
then the columnar protrusions are more closely connected with the cathode carbon block
substrate.
[0023] The working condition when aluminum electrolysis is performed in the aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface
is that: all the columnar protrusions of the cathode carbon block should be immersed
in the aluminum liquid, the upper aluminum liquid is electrolyte melt, the height
of the aluminum liquid level is higher than the upper surface of the protrusions and
is 1-10 cm after aluminum production, and the working voltage of the electrolytic
cell is 3.5-3.9 V
[0024] In the present invention, by embedding columnar protrusions on the cathode carbon
block substrate, it is allowable to reduce the filtrate fluctuation ability and have
multiple choices for substrate materials of the cathode carbon block, thereby achieving
the effect of improving the working ability of the cathode carbon block and increasing
the life of the cathode carbon block. Meanwhile, the method of embedding columnar
protrusions on the cathode carbon block substrate has the advantages of less processing
amount and lower cost as compared with the original method of directly preparing protrusions
on the cathode carbon block. Test indicates that the aluminum electrolytic cell having
cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface of the
present invention has stable working performance and is capable of effectively reducing
the flow speed and fluctuation of the aluminum liquid to enable the cell to be normally
operated at lower cell voltage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Figure 1 is a top view of the aluminum electrolytic cell of the first example of
the present invention.
[0026] Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1.
[0027] Figure 3 is a top view of the aluminum electrolytic cell of the second example of
the present invention.
[0028] Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3.
[0029] Figure 5 is a top view of the aluminum electrolytic cell of the third example of
the present invention.
[0030] Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Figure 5.
[0031] Figure 7 is a top view of the aluminum electrolytic cell of the fourth example of
the present invention.
[0032] Figure 8 is the sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7.
[0033] Figure 9 is a top view of the aluminum electrolytic cell of the fifth example of
the present invention; and
[0034] Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X in Figure 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] The width of the cathode carbon block substrate in the example of the present invention
is 50-70 cm.
[0036] The graphite paste in the example of the present invention is prepared by mixing
thermosetting resin and graphite powder, and the mix proportion is required to be
capable of mixing paste.
[0037] The preparation method of the cathode carbon block in the example of the present
invention is as follows:
[0038] 1. The method for preparing the cathode carbon block substrate is divided into two
types:
[0039] (1) Machining: circular pot holes of 5-10 cm in depth are machined in the positions
where columnar protrusions are embedded of the upper surface of the anthracite or
graphite cathode carbon block substrate prepared at 1100°C-1300°C or the upper surface
of the semi-graphitized or graphitized cathode carbon block substrate which is graphitized
at 2300°C-2500°C after being roasted at 1100°C-1300°C, the side wall of each pot hole
is machined with internal threads, and the internal threads are matched with the external
threads of the cylindrical columnar protrusions;
[0040] (2) Vibration molding or compression molding: when using vibration molding or compression
molding to prepare the green compact of cathode carbon block substrate, the bottom
surface of a heavy obj ect on the material in the vibration molding mold is changed
from a traditional plane into a structure with protrusions, or the bottom surface
of a compression mold on the material in the mold is changed from a traditional plane
into a structure having protrusions on its surface during compression molding; thus,
after the cathode carbon block substrate is prepared by vibration molding or compression
molding, the upper surface of the green compact of the cathode carbon block substrate
which is prepared by vibration molding or compression molding has pot holes used for
arranging the columnar protrusions; wherein the distribution locations of the protrusions
on the bottom surface of the heavy object on the material in the mold or the mold
bottom surface of the material in the mold correspond to the locations of the columnar
protrusions embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate; the
shape of the protrusions is consistent with that of the pot holes for arranging the
columnar protrusions embedded on the upper surface produced by vibration molding or
compression molding; the depth of the pot holes is 5-10 cm; when the cathode carbon
block substrate is an anthracite cathode carbon block substrate, a graphite cathode
carbon block substrate or a semi-graphite cathode carbon block substrate, the green
compact of the above cathode carbon block is roasted at 1100°C-1300°C to be prepared
into a cathode carbon block substrate with pot holes; when the cathode carbon block
substrate is a graphitized or a semi-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate, the
roasting method and the method for making the pot holes are the same as those used
in method (1), the cathode carbon block substrate is treated at high temperature of
2300°C-3000°C in a graphitizing furnace after being roasted to be prepared into a
semi-graphitized or a fully-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate; the pot holes
on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate are divided into circular
pot holes and square pot holes; when the pot holes are circular pot holes, the inner
wall of each pot hole is machined with internal threads, and the internal threads
are matched with the external threads of the cylindrical columnar protrusions; when
the pot holes are square pot holes, the inner wall of each pot hole is provided with
at least four circular pits with the diameter of not less than 5 mm and depth of not
less than 10 mm;
[0041] 2. Thermosetting resin is mixed with graphite powder to prepare graphite paste, and
the mix proportion is required to be capable of mixing paste; the graphite paste is
filled into the pot holes; the columnar protrusions are arranged into the pot holes,
wherein when the columnar protrusions are cuboid, the pot holes are square pot holes,
the length and the width of the pot holes are 1-10 mm more than the length and the
width of the columnar protrusions, and the cuboid columnar protrusions are vertically
compressed into the pot holes; when the columnar protrusions are cylindrical, the
pot holes are circular, and the side wall is machined with internal threads; the external
threads of the columnar protrusions are matched with the internal threads of the pot
holes, the columnar protrusions are screwed in the pot holes, and graphite paste is
filled in the gap between the internal threads and the external threads; after the
columnar protrusions are arranged into the pot holes, a part of the graphite paste
in the pot holes is extruded from the gap between the protrusions and the pot holes,
and then is accumulated at the junction of the upper surface of the cathode carbon
block substrate and the columnar protrusions.
Example 1
[0042] The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface is shown in Figure 1, and the sectional view taken along
line II-II in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2. The electrolytic cell comprises a cell
shell 1, a cell lining refractory insulation material, side carbon bricks 2, cathode
carbon blocks and cathode steel bars 6. Carbon ramming paste between cathode carbon
blocks 10 is filled between two cathode carbon blocks, and each cathode carbon block
is rammed with each side carbon brick by the carbon paste 5; wherein the cathode carbon
block consists of a cathode carbon block substrate 3 and columnar protrusions 4 on
the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate 3, and the columnar protrusions
4 are embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate 1. The cell
lining refractory insulation material comprises a cell bottom refractory insulation
material 7 and a cell side refractory insulation material 8, and the side carbon paste
5 is arranged in the side carbon bricks 2.
[0043] The cathode carbon block substrate 3 is cuboid, the upper surface of the cathode
carbon block substrate 3 has grooves, and the columnar protrusions 4 are embedded
on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate 3. The columnar protrusions
4 are cuboid, and the graphite paste 9 is filled between the columnar protrusions
4 and the cathode carbon block substrate 3.
[0044] The length direction of the columnar protrusions is perpendicular to that of the
cathode carbon block substrate, the length of the columnar protrusions is 30 cm, the
width of the columnar protrusions is 20 cm, and the height difference between the
columnar protrusions and the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate is
9 cm.
[0045] The columnar protrusions are arranged into two rows in the length direction of the
upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate, all the columnar protrusions
are uniformly distributed on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate,
and two adjacent rows of columnar protrusions are crisscross arranged. The distance
between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of the same
row is 17-35 cm, the distance between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar
protrusions of different rows on the same cathode carbon block is 20 cm, and the distance
between two columnar protrusions adjacent to the aluminum outlet is 60 cm.
[0046] The above columnar protrusions are made of calcined anthracite which is molded and
roasted.
[0047] The working condition when aluminum electrolysis is performed in the aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface
is that: all the columnar protrusions of the cathode carbon block should be immersed
in the aluminum liquid, the upper aluminum liquid is electrolyte melt, the height
of the aluminum liquid level is higher than the upper surface of the protrusions and
is 1-10 cm after aluminum production, and the working voltage of the electrolytic
cell is 3.5-3.9 V
Example 2
[0048] The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface is shown in Figure 3, and the sectional view taken along
line IV-IV in Figure 3 is shown in Figure 4. The structure of the electrolytic cell
is consistent with that of the electrolytic cell in example 1, and is differentia
from that of the electrolytic cell in example 1 in that:
[0049] The columnar protrusions are arranged in three rows in the length direction of the
upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate, the length of the columnar protrusions
is 21 cm, the width of the columnar protrusions is 19 cm, and the height difference
between the columnar protrusions and the upper surface of the cathode carbon block
substrate is 10 cm. The distance between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the
columnar protrusions of the same row is 25 cm, the distance between two adjacent columnar
protrusions of the columnar protrusions of different rows on the same cathode carbon
block is 5 cm, and the distance between two columnar protrusions adjacent to the aluminum
outlet is 50 cm.
[0050] The columnar protrusions are made of the mixture of calcined anthracite and artificial
graphite.
[0051] The working condition when aluminum electrolysis is performed in the aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface
is that: all the columnar protrusions of the cathode carbon block should be immersed
in the aluminum liquid, the upper aluminum liquid is electrolyte melt, the height
of the aluminum liquid level is higher than the upper surface of the protrusions and
is 1-10 cm after aluminum production, and the working voltage of the electrolytic
cell is 3.5-3.9 V
Example 3
[0052] The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface is shown in Figure 5, and the sectional view taken along
line VI-VI in Figure 5 is shown in Figure 6. The structure of the electrolytic cell
is consistent with that of the electrolytic cell in example 1, and is differentia
from that of the electrolytic cell in example 1 in that:
[0053] Under the condition that the columnar protrusions are cylindrical and the width of
the cathode carbon block substrate is 50-70 cm, the diameter of the columnar protrusions
is 25 cm, the height difference between the columnar protrusions and the upper surface
of the cathode carbon block substrate is 11 cm, the distance between two adjacent
columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of the same row is 30 cm, the distance
between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of different
rows on the same cathode carbon block is 20 cm, and the distance between two columnar
protrusions adjacent to the aluminum outlet is 40 cm.
[0054] The columnar protrusions are made of artificial graphite which is moulded and roasted.
[0055] The working condition when aluminum electrolysis is performed in the aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface
is that: all the columnar protrusions of the cathode carbon block should be immersed
in the aluminum liquid, the upper aluminum liquid is electrolyte melt, the height
of the aluminum liquid level is higher than the upper surface of the protrusions and
is 1-10 cm after aluminum production, and the working voltage of the electrolytic
cell is 3.5-3.9 V
Example 4
[0056] The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface is shown in Figure 7, and the sectional view taken along
line VIII-VIII in Figure 7 is shown in Figure 8. The structure of the electrolytic
cell is consistent with that of the electrolytic cell in example 3, and is differentia
from that of the electrolytic cell in example 3 in that:
[0057] The columnar protrusions are arranged in three rows in the length direction of the
upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate, the diameter of the columnar
protrusions is 17 cm, the height difference between the columnar protrusions and the
upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate is 11 cm, the distance between
two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of the same row is 19
cm, the distance between two adj acent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions
of different rows on the same cathode carbon block is 5 cm, and the distance between
two columnar protrusions adjacent to the aluminum outlet is 30 cm.
[0058] The columnar protrusions are made of artificial graphite electrode and graphite block
by processing.
[0059] The working condition when aluminum electrolysis is performed in the aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface
is that: all the columnar protrusions of the cathode carbon block should be immersed
in the aluminum liquid, the upper aluminum liquid is electrolyte melt, the height
of the aluminum liquid level is higher than the upper surface of the protrusions and
is 1-10 cm after aluminum production, and the working voltage of the electrolytic
cell is 3.5-3.9 V
Example 5
[0060] The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface is shown in Figure 9, and the sectional view taken along
line X-X in Figure 9 is shown in Figure 10. The structure of the electrolytic cell
is consistent with that of the electrolytic cell in example 1, and is differentia
from that of the electrolytic cell in example 1 in that:
[0061] Under the condition that the width of the cathode carbon block substrate is 66 cm,
the length of the columnar protrusions is 30 cm, the width of the columnar protrusions
is 23 cm, and the height difference between the columnar protrusions and the upper
surface of the cathode carbon block substrate is 11 cm. The distance between two adjacent
columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of the same row is 35 cm, the distance
between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of different
rows on the same cathode carbon block is 10 cm, and the distance between two columnar
protrusions adjacent to the aluminum outlet is 70 cm.
[0062] The working condition when aluminum electrolysis is performed in the aluminum electrolytic
cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface
is that: all the columnar protrusions of the cathode carbon block should be immersed
in the aluminum liquid, the upper aluminum liquid is electrolyte melt, the height
of the aluminum liquid level is higher than the upper surface of the protrusions and
is 1-10 cm after aluminum production, and the working voltage of the electrolytic
cell is 3.5-3.9 V
PARTS LIST
[0063]
| 1 |
cell shell |
| 2 |
side carbon brick |
| 3 |
cathode carbon block substrate |
| 4 |
columnar protrusion |
| 5 |
side carbon paste |
| 6 |
cathode steel bar |
| 7 |
refractory insulation material |
| 8 |
refractory insulation material |
| 9 |
graphite paste |
| 10 |
carbon ramming paste |
1. An aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface, comprising: cathode carbon blocks, wherein each cathode
carbon block is composed of a cathode carbon block substrate and a plurality of columnar
protrusions embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate.
2. The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein thermosetting resin is mixed with
graphite powder to prepare graphite paste, and the graphite paste is filled between
the columnar protrusions and the cathode carbon block substrate.
3. The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein the cathode carbon block substrate
is cuboid, the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate is provided with
grooves, and the columnar protrusions are embedded on the upper surface of the cathode
carbon block substrate by the grooves.
4. The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein the columnar protrusions are cuboid
or cylindrical.
5. The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein the columnar protrusions are made
of calcined anthracite, or the mixture of calcined anthracite and artificial graphite,
or artificial graphite broken into aggregate and asphalt which are kneaded and then
roasted, or made of artificial graphite electrode and graphite block by processing.
6. A preparation method of the aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block
with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein the method
comprises the following steps:
(1) Using two methods to prepare the cathode carbon block substrate:
1) Extrusion method: when the cross section of the cathode carbon block substrate
is a regular rectangular cross section, green compact of cathode carbon block substrate
is prepared, the prepared green compact is prepared into anthracite or graphite cathode
carbon block substrate after being roasted at 1100°C-1300°C or prepared into semi-graphitized
cathode carbon block substrate after being roasted at 1100°C-1300°C or being heat-treated
at 2300°C-2500°C, circular pot holes of 5-10cm in depth are machined in the positions
where columnar protrusions are embedded of the upper surface of the cathode carbon
block substrate, the side wall of each pot hole is machined with internal threads,
and the internal threads are matched with the external threads of the cylindrical
columnar protrusions;
2) Vibration molding or compression molding: when using vibration molding or compression
molding to prepare the green compact of cathode carbon block substrate, the bottom
surface of a heavy object on the material in the vibration molding mold is changed
from a traditional plane into a structure with protrusions, or the bottom surface
of a compression mold on the material in the mold is changed from a traditional plane
into a structure having protrusions on its surface during compression molding; thus,
after the cathode carbon block substrate is prepared by vibration molding or compression
molding, the upper surface of the green compact of the cathode carbon block substrate
which is prepared by vibration molding or compression molding has pot holes used for
arranging the columnar protrusions; wherein the distribution locations of the protrusions
on the bottom surface of the heavy object on the material in the mold or the mold
bottom surface of the material in the mold correspond to the locations of the columnar
protrusions to be embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate;
the shape of the protrusions is consistent with that of the pot holes for arranging
the columnar protrusions embedded on the upper surface produced by vibration molding
or compression molding; the depth of the pot holes is 5-10cm; when the cathode carbon
block substrate is an anthracite cathode carbon block substrate, a graphite cathode
carbon block substrate or a semi-graphite cathode carbon block substrate, the green
compact of the above cathode carbon block is roasted at 1100°C-1300°C to be prepared
into a cathode carbon block substrate with pot holes; when the cathode carbon block
substrate is a graphitized or a semi-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate, the
roasting method and the method for making the pot holes are the same as those used
in method 1), the cathode carbon block substrate is heat-treated at 2300°C-3000°C
in a graphitizing furnace after being roasted to be prepared into a semi-graphitized
or a fully-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate; the pot holes in the upper
surface of the cathode carbon block substrate are divided into circular pot holes
and square pot holes; when the pot holes are circular pot holes, the inner wall of
each pot hole is machined with internal threads, and the internal threads are matched
with the external threads of the cylindrical columnar protrusions; when the pot holes
are square pot holes, the inner wall of each pot hole is provided with at least four
circular pits with the diameter of not less than 5mm and depth of not less than 10mm;
(1) (2) Embedding columnar protrusions: thermosetting resin is mixed with graphite
powder to prepare graphite paste, and the mix proportion is required to be capable
of mixing paste; the graphite paste is filled into the pot holes; the columnar protrusions
are arranged into the pot holes, wherein when the columnar protrusions are cuboid,
the pot holes are square pot holes, the length and the width of the pot holes are
1-10mm more than the length and the width of the columnar protrusions, and the cuboid
columnar protrusions are vertically compressed into the pot holes; when the columnar
protrusions are cylindrical, the pot holes are circular, and the side wall of each
pot hole is machined with internal threads; the external threads of the columnar protrusions
are matched with the internal threads of the pot holes, the columnar protrusions are
screwed in the pot holes, and graphite paste is filled in the gap between the internal
threads and the external threads; after the columnar protrusions are arranged into
the pot holes, a part of the graphite paste in the pot holes is extruded out from
the gap between the protrusions and the pot holes, and then is accumulated at the
junction of the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate and the columnar
protrusions.
Amended claims under Art. 19.1 PCT
1. An aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface, comprising: cathode carbon blocks, wherein each cathode
carbon block is composed of a cathode carbon block substrate and a plurality of columnar
protrusions embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate, the
cathode carbon block substrate is cuboid, the upper surface of the cathode carbon
block substrate is provided grooves, and the columnar protrusions are embedded on
the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate by the grooves; the columnar
protrusions are cuboid or cylindrical; when the columnar protrusions are cuboid, the
length direction of the columnar protrusions is perpendicular to that of the cathode
carbon block substrate, under the condition that the width of the cathode carbon block
substrate is 50-70cm, the length of the columnar protrusions is 21-35cm, the width
of the columnar protrusions is 17-30cm, and the height difference between the columnar
protrusions and the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate is 9-15cm;
when the width of the cathode carbon block substrate is increased, the length of the
columnar protrusions is increased in accordance with the increased proportion of the
width of the cathode carbon block substrate; when the columnar protrusions are cylindrical,
and the width of the cathode carbon block substrate is 50-70cm, the diameter of the
columnar protrusions is 17-35cm, and the height difference between the columnar protrusions
and the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate is 9-15cm; when the width
of the cathode carbon block is increased, the diameter of the columnar protrusions
is increased in accordance with the increased proportion of the width of the cathode
carbon block substrate; the columnar protrusions are arranged into two rows or three
rows in the length direction of the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate,
and two adjacent rows of columnar protrusions are crisscross arranged; under the condition
that the width of the cathode carbon block substrate is 50-70cm, the distance between
two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions of the same row is 17-35cm,
the distance between two adjacent columnar protrusions of the columnar protrusions
of different rows on the same cathode carbon block is 5-20cm, the distance between
two columnar protrusions adjacent to the aluminum outlet is 30-70cm, and the depth
of the above columnar protrusions in the cathode carbon block substrate is 5-10cm.
2. The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein thermosetting resin is mixed with
graphite powder to prepare graphite paste, and the graphite paste is filled between
the columnar protrusions and the cathode carbon block substrate.
3. The aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block with columnar protrusions
embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein the columnar protrusions are made
of calcined anthracite, or the mixture of calcined anthracite and artificial graphite,
or artificial graphite broken into aggregate and asphalt which are kneaded and then
roasted, or made of artificial graphite electrode and graphite block by processing.
4. A preparation method of the aluminum electrolytic cell having cathode carbon block
with columnar protrusions embedded on its upper surface of Claim 1, wherein the method
comprises the following steps:
(1) Using two methods to prepare the cathode carbon block substrate:
1) Extrusion method: when the cross section of the cathode carbon block substrate
is a regular rectangular cross section, green compact of cathode carbon block substrate
is prepared, the prepared green compact is prepared into anthracite or graphite cathode
carbon block substrate after being roasted at 1100°C-1300°C or prepared into semi-graphitized
cathode carbon block substrate after being roasted at 1100°C-1300°C or being heat-treated
at 2300°C-2500°C, circular pot holes of 5-10cm in depth are machined in the positions
where columnar protrusions are embedded of the upper surface of the cathode carbon
block substrate , the side wall of each pot hole is machined with internal threads,
and the internal threads are matched with the external threads of the cylindrical
columnar protrusions;
2) Vibration molding or compression molding: when using vibration molding or compression
molding to prepare the green compact of cathode carbon block substrate, the bottom
surface of a heavy obj ect on the material in the vibration molding mold is changed
from a traditional plane into a structure with protrusions, or the bottom surface
of a compression mold on the material in the mold is changed from a traditional plane
into a structure having protrusions on its surface during compression molding; thus,
after the cathode carbon block substrate is produced by vibration molding or compression
molding, the upper surface of the green compact of the cathode carbon block substrate
which is formed by vibration molding or compression molding has pot holes used for
arranging the columnar protrusions; wherein the distribution locations of the protrusions
on the bottom surface of the heavy obj ect on the material in the mold or the mold
bottom surface of the material in the mold correspond to the locations of the columnar
protrusions embedded on the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate; the
shape of the protrusions is consistent with that of the pot holes for arranging the
columnar protrusions embedded on the upper surface produced by vibration molding or
compression molding; the depth of the pot holes is 5-10cm; when the cathode carbon
block substrate is an anthracite cathode carbon block substrate, a graphite cathode
carbon block substrate or a semi-graphite cathode carbon block substrate, the green
compact of the above cathode carbon block is roasted at 1100°C-1300°C to be prepared
into a cathode carbon block substrate with pot holes; when the cathode carbon block
substrate is a graphitized or a semi-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate, the
roasting method and the method for making the pot holes are the same as those used
in method 1), the cathode carbon block substrate is heat-treated at 2300°C-3000°C
in a graphitizing furnace after being roasted to be prepared into a semi-graphitized
or a fully-graphitized cathode carbon block substrate; the pot holes in the upper
surface of the cathode carbon block substrate are divided into circular pot holes
and square pot holes; when the pot holes are circular pot holes, the inner wall of
each pot hole is machined with internal threads, and the internal threads are matched
with the external threads of the cylindrical columnar protrusions; when the pot holes
are square pot holes, the inner wall of each pot hole is provided with at least four
circular pits with the diameter of not less than 5mm and depth of not less than 10mm;
(2) Embedding columnar protrusions: thermosetting resin is mixed with graphite powder
to prepare graphite paste, and the mix proportion is required to be capable of mixing
paste; the graphite paste is filled into the pot holes; the columnar protrusions are
arranged into the pot holes, wherein when the columnar protrusions are cuboid, the
pot holes are square pot holes, the length and the width of the pot holes are 1-10mm
more than the length and the width of the columnar protrusions, and the cuboid columnar
protrusions are vertically compressed into the pot holes; when the columnar protrusions
are cylindrical, the pot holes are circular, and the side wall of each pot hole is
machined with internal threads; the external threads of the columnar protrusions are
matched with the internal threads of the pot holes, the columnar protrusions are screwed
in the pot holes, and graphite paste is filled in the gap between the internal threads
and the external threads; after the columnar protrusions are arranged into the pot
holes, a part of the graphite paste in the pot holes is extruded out from the gap
between the protrusions and the pot holes, and then is accumulated at the junction
of the upper surface of the cathode carbon block substrate and the columnar protrusions.