Anode Support Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting anodes above a cathode in an electrolysis cell comprising a superstructure, an anode beam to which a plurality of individual anodes 24 are attached, each anode having an anode stem 26 for attachment to the anode beam by a main clamp 54 , the anode beam being adjustably mounted to the superstructure, an auxiliary clamp 56 for each anode stem 26 , and at least one electrical beam 50 supported by the superstructure, the electrical beam 50 having connectors 52 providing electrical connection between the electrical beam 50 and the anode stems 26.

1 . An apparatus for supporting anodes above a cathode in an electrolysis cell including: 
 a. a superstructure, an anode beam to which a plurality of individual anodes are attached, each anode having an anode stem for attachment to the anode beam by a main clamp, the anode beam being adjustably mounted to the superstructure,    b. an auxiliary clamp for each anode stem, and at least one electrical beam supported by the superstructure, the electrical beam having connectors providing electrical connection between the electrical beam and the anode stems.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the auxiliary clamps are fixed in position relative to the superstructure.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical beam is fixed at the centre top of the cell superstructure and a plurality of flexibles.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the flexibles are made of a multitude of aluminium foils which are welded to the electrical beam and attached by way of bolted or clamped connections to the top of the anode stems.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for adjusting the distance between the anodes and cathode of electrolysis cells including an anode beam to which a plurality of individual anodes are attached by respective anode stems, the anode stem of each anode being maintained in position relative to the anode beam by a main clamp, an auxiliary clamp for each anode stem, and a means to control the operation of the main and auxiliary clamps to allow engagement and disengagement of the clamps.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  being further provided with a superstructure, the auxiliary clamp being secured to the superstructure to support the auxiliary clamp during anode beam raising.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the engaging and disengaging of the main and auxiliary clamps is controlled by a process control computer.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the process controller will only allow disengaging of the main clamps when the auxiliary clamps are closed.  
     
     
         9 . A method of raising an anode beam in an electrolysis cell described above including the steps of: 
 a. engaging the auxiliary clamps to maintain the position of the anodes relative to the superstructure,    b. disengaging the main clamps,    c. moving the anode beam,    d. reengaging the main clamps, and    e. disengaging the auxiliary clamps.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the main clamps are only disengaged when the auxiliary clamps are engaged.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the auxiliary clamps can only be disengaged when the main clamps are engaged.