Aluminum production installation employing fused-salt electrolysis

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolysis installation, intended for the production of aluminium based on igneous electrolysis, comprising a potroom, a plurality of electrolytic cells arranged inside the potroom, a service aisle parallel to the line of cells and located inside the potroom, and at least one first mobile lifting and handling unit, supported on a first runway parallel to the main axis A of the line, and that can be moved above the line of cells on the first runway, and wherein the installation also comprises at least one second mobile lifting and handling unit, and a second runway parallel to the main axis A of the line and independent of the first runway, and in that the second unit is supported on the second runway and can be moved along the second runway and can be moved underneath the first unit and along the line of electrolytic cells, on the second runway, such that the two lifting and handling units can be moved independently, and in that the said second unit is capable of lifting and handling liquid metal ladles and/or liquid bath ladles.

1 . An electrolysis installation, intended for the production of aluminium based on igneous electrolysis, comprising: 
 a potroom,    a plurality of electrolytic cells arranged inside the potroom so as to form at least one line with a main axis A,    a service aisle parallel to said line of cells and located inside the potroom,    at least one first mobile lifting and handling unit, or travelling crane, supported on a first runway parallel to the main axis A of the line, and that can be moved above said line of cells on said first runway,    at least one second mobile lifting and handling unit, or lateral portal crane and    a second runway parallel to the main axis A of the line and independent of the first runway, in that said second unit is supported on said second runway and can be moved along said second runway, underneath the first unit and along said line of electrolytic cells, such that the lifting and handling units can be moved independently, and in that said second unit can be used to lift and handle liquid metal ladles and/or liquid bath ladles.    
   
   
       2 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral portal crane is equipped with a trolley capable of being moved along a direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis A of the line of cells.  
   
   
       3 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the trolley is equipped with lifting means and gripping means.  
   
   
       4 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping means comprises at least one means of fixing an object to be lifted and handled.  
   
   
       5 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 3 , wherein the gripping means is installed on a pivoting support to enable rotation of an element that said gripping means supports about an axis B.  
   
   
       6 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the lateral portal crane comprises at least one transverse beam that is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the main axis A, and in that the trolley moves on the said beam.  
   
   
       7 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 2 , wherein the working range of the trolley is such that a main vertical axis B thereof only overhangs the service aisle, regardless of the position of said trolley.  
   
   
       8 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolytic cells are fully or partly surrounded by working platforms.  
   
   
       9 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 8 , wherein the service aisle is located on a first level and the working platforms are located at at least one second elevated level at a determined height Hb above the first level.  
   
   
       10 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 9 , wherein the height Hb is between 0.5 m and 4 m.  
   
   
       11 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 9 , wherein the first level is located at ground level outside the potroom.  
   
   
       12 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 8 , wherein the working platforms comprise a service balcony on a side of said aisle.  
   
   
       13 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 12 , wherein the service balcony is common to said cells.  
   
   
       14 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 12 , wherein the working platforms comprise floors between the cells and in that the service balcony is at the same level as said floors between the cells.  
   
   
       15 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 12 , wherein the working range L of the trolley is such that a main axis B of the trolley also overhangs the service balcony.  
   
   
       16 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the second runway comprises a first running means elevated above the level of the service aisle a and a second running means that is located directly on the service aisle.  
   
   
       17 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 1 , wherein the second runway comprises a first running means elevated above a level of the service aisle and a second running means that is located on a platform with a determined height Ha above said aisle.  
   
   
       18 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 17 , wherein the height Ha is between 0.2 and 2.5 m.  
   
   
       19 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 12 , wherein the second runway comprises a first running means that is elevated above a level of the service aisle and a second running means located directly on the service balcony or located on a platform fixed thereto.  
   
   
       20 . An electrolysis installation according to  claim 16 , wherein the elevated running means is fixed to a structure of the potroom.  
   
   
       21 . A method for the production of aluminium comprising using an installation according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       22 . A plant for the production of aluminium, comprising at least one electrolysis installation according to  claim 1.