Aluminium electrolysis cell comprising sidewall temperature control system

Abstract

The invention provides method and system for cooling over a large area, suitable for use for control of layer formation over an extended area in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat. The objective is achieved by a manifold from which a plurality of hot end heat tubes extend, representing the hot end or ends, wherein the cold end or condenser can be provided inside the manifold or can extend outside the manifold.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A system called forked heat tube assembly, for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell and exploitation of heat, said electrolysis cell comprising a side lining ( 11 ) and a shell ( 8 );
 wherein the system comprises:
 at least one hot end tube for absorbing heat by evaporation of a working fluid from a liquid phase to a vapour phase; 
 at least one cold end for condensing the working fluid from a vapour phase to a liquid phase; and 
 a manifold from which said at least one hot end tube extends; 
 wherein the manifold conducts the working fluid between the at least one hot end with the at least one cold end. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one hot end tube is a heat tube. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one hot end tube is a thermosyphon. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one cold end is external to the manifold. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one cold end is internal to the manifold. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one cold end is provided with more than one heat exchanger. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising an artery for even distribution of working fluid in the liquid form at a lower end of the at least one hot end tube. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein the artery is buckled to provide flexibility. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein the artery is in-line and comprises a series of smaller tubes, each connecting the two adjacent hot end tubes. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein the artery is a single tube connected to the hot end tubes using smaller connecting tubes called arterioles  144  that at one end are connected to the artery at an artery joint  142  and at the other end to each respective hot end tube. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the arterioles are attached to the bottom of each respective hot end tube. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 26 , wherein the arterioles are attached to the side of each respective hot end tube. 
     
     
         29 . A method for use of a plurality of systems according to  claim 22 , wherein the heat exchangers are connected to a plurality of circuits. 
     
     
         30 . A method for use of a plurality of systems according to  claim 17 , wherein hot ends of a first forked heat tube assembly is interleaved with hot ends of a second forked heat tube assembly. 
     
     
         31 . A method for control of layer formation in an aluminium electrolysis cell, wherein conducting the heat away using said forked heat tube assembly according to  claim 17 . 
     
     
         32 . An electrolysis cell comprising a heat tube assembly according to  claim 17 .