Aluminum electrolysis cell electrolyte containment systems and apparatus and methods relating to the same

Abstract

Aluminum electrolysis cells and associated system and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an aluminum electrolysis cell includes an outer shell, a bottom, a plurality of bath resistant blocks defining a surrounding wall, and at least one spring member coupled to at least one of the plurality of bath resistant blocks and the outer shell, where the at least one spring member is configured to maintain the plurality of bath resistant blocks in a substantially leak-tight configuration.

1 . An aluminum electrolysis cell comprising:
 an outer shell;   a bottom;   a plurality of bath resistant blocks configured as a surrounding wall, wherein the bottom and the plurality of bath resistant blocks define a chamber adapted for holding a molten salt electrolyte; and   at least one spring member coupled to at least one of the plurality of bath resistant blocks and the outer shell, wherein the at least one spring member is configured to maintain the plurality of bath resistant blocks in a substantially leak-tight configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bath resistant blocks includes a corner block, and wherein the at least one spring member is coupled to the corner block and the outer shell. 
   
   
       3 . The cell of  claim 2 , wherein at least two spring members are coupled to the corner block and the outer shell. 
   
   
       4 . The cell of  claim 3 , wherein the corner block includes a first surface and a second surface, wherein a first spring member is coupled to the first surface and the outer shell, and wherein a second spring member is coupled to the second surface and the outer shell. 
   
   
       5 . The cell of  claim 4 , wherein the first surface of the corner block is orthogonal the second surface of the corner block. 
   
   
       6 . The cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of bath resistant blocks define an inner row and an outer row, wherein a first spring member assists in maintaining the inner row in a substantially leak-tight configuration. 
   
   
       7 . An aluminum electrolysis cell comprising:
 an outer shell;   a bottom;   a plurality of bath resistant blocks configured as a surrounding wall, wherein the plurality of bath resistant blocks include corner blocks and side blocks, wherein the side blocks are located between the corner blocks, and wherein the bottom and the plurality of bath resistant blocks define a chamber adapted for holding a molten salt electrolyte; and   a plurality of spring members, wherein at least some of the spring members are coupled to the outer shell, wherein at least two of the spring members are coupled to at least one corner block, and wherein the plurality of spring members are configured to maintain the plurality of bath resistant blocks in a substantially leak-tight configuration.   
   
   
       8 . A method comprising:
 passing electricity through a molten salt electrolyte comprising alumina via an anode and cathode of an electrolysis cell;   maintaining a plurality of bath resistant blocks in a substantially leak-tight configuration, thereby at least assisting in containing the molten salt electrolyte within the electrolysis cell; and   producing alumina in the electrolysis cell in the absence of a ledge.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the maintaining step comprises:
 applying a force to at least one of the plurality of blocks via a spring member.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein, during the maintaining step, the spring member is responsive to fluctuating operating conditions of the electrolysis cell.