Energy savings through the use of an improved aluminum reduction-cell cathode. Technical progress report, April 1, 1981-June 30, 1981

Technical Report · Tue Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5268401

Dorward, R C; Payne, J R

The principal project goal is to develop a Hall cell cathode that will reduce the specific energy consumption of existing commercial cells by 20 to 25%. The use of titanium diboride (TiB/sub 2/), a material that is wetted by molten aluminum, as the cell cathode, provides a stable cathode surface, thereby allowing the cell to be operated at a smaller anode-cathode distance (ACD). Energy savings arise as a result of reduced resistive losses through the cryolite electrolyte. The program is comprised of three integrated parts: (1) materials characterization, (2) pilot cell testing, and (3) a full-sized cell demonstration. Emphasis was placed on electrolysis and corrosion tests pertinent to a top-entering cathode lead system. Progress was also made on the design of the 40 KA pilot cell, development of the cathode lead-TiB/sub 2/ joint, and materials characterization. Electrolysis tests show that operating temperatures below about 870/sup 0/C are impractical because the decomposition potential is too high. Electrolysis at 870/sup 0/C or higher requires protection of the top-entering cathode connection from corrosion.

• Research Organization: Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp., Pleasanton, CA (USA). Center for Technology
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76CS40215
• OSTI ID: 5268401
• Report Number(s): DOE/CS/40215-T7; ON: DE820080747
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ALUMINIUM
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
CATHODES
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CORROSION
JOINTS
MATERIALS TESTING
METAL INDUSTRY
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
TITANIUM BORIDES
BORIDES
BORON COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COATINGS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
INDUSTRY
LYSIS
METALS
TESTING
TITANIUM COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes