Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell in a smelting process using an adjustable fluid passage to control the heat loss from a preferred area of the electrolytic cell side walls based on operating conditions in the electrolytic cell, and to direct the waste heat from the electrolytic cell side walls back into the electrolytic cell.

1 . A method for controlling heat loss from an electrolytic cell, which comprises:
 inducting ambient air from outside the electrolytic cell into an adjustable fluid passage formed between a flexible member, a portion of a side wall of the electrolytic cell, and a portion of a pair of frames supporting the electrolytic cell;   controlling heat loss from the electrolytic cell by transferring heat from the portion of the electrolytic cell side wall to the ambient air in the fluid passage; and   inducting the heated ambient air from the fluid passage into the electrolytic cell.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage includes a choke section with an adjustable length and an adjustable gap. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising adjusting at least one of the length and the gap of the choke section. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a portion of the electrolytic cell side wall forming part of the choke section represents a preferred area. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the preferred area is adjacent an interface between a molten cryolite bath and a molten metal pad in the electrolytic cell behind the side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising reducing the length and enlarging the gap to decrease the heat transferred from the portion of the electrolytic cell side wall to the ambient air in the fluid passage. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising extending the length and reducing the gap to increase the heat transferred from the portion of the electrolytic cell side wall to the ambient air in the fluid passage. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein a distance of the length is at least two times greater than a distance of the gap. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the fluid passage by at least one of adjusting a tension setting for the flexible member and adjusting the induction of the heated ambient air into the electrolytic cell. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one of decreasing the tension setting for the flexible member and increasing the induction of the heated ambient air into the electrolytic cell to increase the heat transferred from the portion of the electrolytic cell side wall to the ambient air in the fluid passage. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising at least one of increasing the tension setting for the flexible member and decreasing the induction of the heated ambient air into the electrolytic cell to decrease the heat transferred from the portion of the electrolytic cell side wall to the ambient air in the fluid passage.