Appeal No. 2004-1043
Application No. 09/960,907
electrolytic cell having a metallic liner
which is anodic for containing said
electrolyte, said liner having a bottom and
walls extending upwardly from said bottom,
said liner being substantially inert with
respect to said molten electrolyte;
(b) providing a plurality of non-
consumable anodes and cathodes disposed in
said electrolyte;
(c) passing an electric current through
said liner and anodes through said
electrolyte to said cathodes, depositing
aluminum on said cathodes, and generating
oxygen bubbles at the anodes, said bubbles
stirring said electrolyte;
(d) periodically reducing electric
current flow to said cell for extended
periods; and
(e) maintaining said electrolyte and
aluminum in said cell in a molten condition
during said extended periods of reduced
current flow by application of heat to said
bottom for purposes of heating said cell.
10. A method of efficiently operating a
low temperature cell for the electrolytic
production of aluminum from alumina
dissolved in a molten salt electrolyte in a
manner which is regulated to consume
electrical power in a more cost-effective
basis, the method comprising the step of:
(a) providing a molten salt electrolyte
at a temperature less than 900ºC having
alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic
cell having a metallic liner which is anodic
for containing said electrolyte, said liner
having a bottom and walls extending upwardly
from said bottom, said liner being
substantially inert with respect to said
molten electrolyte;
(b) providing a plurality of non-
consumable anodes disposed substantially
vertically in said electrolyte and a
plurality of cathodes disposed vertically in
said electrolyte, said anodes and said
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