System and method for control pf layer formation in an aluminum electrolysis cell

Abstract

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat. A second object of the invention is to provide a method and system for use for control of layer formation suited for retrofitting to an aluminium electrolysis cell and maintainability during operations of the cell. The present invention attains the above-described objectives by a flat heat tube for attachment to the steel casing of an aluminium electrolysis cell. This heat tube can be a heat pipe or a thermosyphon. Preferably the heat tube is provided with a substantially flat surface. Preferably the heat tube has a meandering shape.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A system for use for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat, said electrolysis cell comprising a sidelining ( 11 ) and a shell ( 8 ); wherein a surface attached heat tube ( 100 ) is provided with means for attachment ( 142 ,  144 ,  146 ) to said shell. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat tube is a heat pipe. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat tube is a thermosyphon. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein the thermosyphon is provided with a substantially downward inclination. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat tube has a meandering shape. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the heat tube is provided with at least one flat face ( 140 ) suited for attachment to the surface of the steel shell  8  of the electrolysis cell. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16 , wherein the flat face ( 140 ) is provided with a longitudinal track ( 150 ). 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the longitudinal track runs parallel to the heat tube. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the longitudinal track runs in a meandering path with respect to the heat tube. 
     
     
         20 . A method for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell said electrolysis cell comprising a sidelining ( 11 ) and a shell ( 8 ); wherein a heat tube ( 12 ) provided with means for attachment to said shell is attached to said shell, wherein heat is conducted away using said surface attached heat tube.