Aluminum reference electrode

Patent · Tue Aug 16 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7067429

Sadoway, D R

A stable reference electrode is described for use in monitoring and controlling the process of electrolytic reduction of a metal. In the case of Hall cell reduction of aluminum, the reference electrode comprises a pool of molten aluminum and a solution of molten cryolite, Na[sub 3]AlF[sub 6], wherein the electrical connection to the molten aluminum does not contact the highly corrosive molten salt solution. This is accomplished by altering the density of either the aluminum (decreasing the density) or the electrolyte (increasing the density) so that the aluminum floats on top of the molten salt solution. 1 fig.

• DOE Contract Number: FG07-83ID12380
• Assignee: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge, MA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 4764257
• Application Number: PPN: US 6-783776
• OSTI ID: 7067429
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
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440800* -- Miscellaneous Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESIGN
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYSIS
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
LYSIS
MONITORING
ON-LINE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS
ON-LINE SYSTEMS
REDUCTION