Appeal No. 2004-1043
Application No. 09/960,907
(e) discharging said heated air sweep
to the atmosphere outside said cell thereby
maintaining said cell at said temperature.
27. A method of efficiently operating a
low temperature cell for the electrolytic
production of aluminum from alumina
dissolved in a molten salt electrolyte in
the method comprising the steps 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 having an outside surface
and have wall 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
cathodes arranged in alternating
relationship;
(c) passing an electric current through
said liner and anodes and through said
electrolyte to said cathodes, depositing
aluminum on said cathodes, and generating
oxygen bubbles at the anodes, said bubbles
stirring said electrolyte;
(d) removing heat from said cell
through said bottom of said liner by passing
an air sweep over said outside surface of
said bottom to provide a heated air sweep;
(e) discharging said heated air sweep
outside said cell;
(f) sensing the temperature of said
electrolyte to provide a reading;
(g) relying said reading to a
controller;
(h) in said controller, comparing said
reading to a set reading to provide a
comparison; and
(i) in response to said comparison,
increasing, decreasing or maintaining air
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