Insulation assemblies for metal production cells

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6723221
  • Patent Number
    6,723,221
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, July 18, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 20, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
Insulation assemblies provide reduced heat loss from electrolytic metal production cells such as inert anode aluminum production cells. The insulation assemblies may be located at the end, side and/or center aisles of the cell, and may be supported by the anodes and deckplate of the cell. The assemblies reduce heat loss and bath vaporization losses, and permit stable operation of the inert anode cell.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates to electrolytic metal production cells, and more particularly relates to insulation assemblies for inert anode aluminum production cells.




BACKGROUND INFORMATION




Existing aluminum smelting cells use consumable carbon anodes which produce CO


2


and other gaseous by-products and must be frequently replaced. Inert or non-consumable anodes may eliminate these concerns, but the implementation of inert anodes provides other challenges such as controlling the heat balance of the cell. In order to provide a viable retrofit design to utilize inert anodes in a standard carbon anode cell, it is necessary to significantly reduce overall heat losses.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention provides reduced heat loss from metal production cells, such as inert anode aluminum production cells, through the use of insulation assemblies. The insulation assemblies may be located at the end, side and/or center aisles of the cell, and may be supported between the anodes and deckplate of the cell. The assemblies reduce heat loss and bath vaporization losses, and permit stable operation of the inert anode cell.




An aspect of the present invention is to provide a metal production cell comprising an electrolytic bath containment vessel, at least one anode assembly mounted over the vessel, and at least one insulation assembly located along a side aisle or end aisle of the vessel and supported by the at least one anode assembly.




Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell. The insulation assembly comprises at least one deck plate support member, at least one inert anode assembly support member, and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member.




A further aspect of the invention is to provide a method of thermally insulating an aluminum production cell. The method comprises the steps of providing an electrolytic bath containment vessel, providing at least one anode assembly over the vessel, and installing at least one insulation assembly along a side aisle or end aisle of the vessel supported by the at least one anode assembly.




These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a plan view of an inert anode aluminum production cell including side insulation assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is a sectional end view of the cell of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 3

is a top view of a side insulation assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 4

is a side sectional view taken through line


4





4


of the side insulation assembly of FIG.


3


.





FIG. 5

is a top view of a small side insulation assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 6

is a side sectional view taken through line


6





6


of the small side insulation assembly of FIG.


5


.





FIG. 7

is a top view of a side insulation assembly including a tapping hole in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 8

is a side sectional view of the tapping hole side insulation assembly of

FIG. 7

mounted on the side aisle of a portion of an aluminum production cell.





FIG. 9

is a plan view of an inert anode aluminum production cell including side, end and center insulation assemblies in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 10

is a sectional side view of the cell of FIG.


9


.





FIG. 11

is a side sectional view of a center insulation assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 12

is a top view of a corner insulation assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 13

is a sectional view taken through line


13





13


of FIG.


12


.





FIG. 14

is a sectional view taken through line


14





14


of FIG.


12


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




In accordance with the present invention, insulation assemblies are used to reduce heat loss from electrolytic metal production cells. Although aluminum production cells comprising inert anode assemblies are primarily described herein, it is to be understood that the present insulation assemblies may be used with other types of metal production cells, as well as conventional consumable anode aluminum production cells.





FIG. 1

is a plan view and

FIG. 2

is a sectional end view illustrating an aluminum production cell


2


in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The aluminum production cell


2


includes an electrolytic bath containment vessel


4


having side aisles


5


and


6


, end aisles


7


and


8


, and a center aisle


9


. The vessel


4


comprises a deck plate


10


above side walls


15


of the vessel


4


. As most clearly shown in

FIG. 2

, the deck plate


10


may comprise a separate metal plate supported by the side wall


15


. Alternatively, the deck plate may be provided as an integral component of the side wall


15


, or may be provided in any other known configuration used with conventional aluminum smelting cells.




As shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, inert anode assemblies


12


comprising multiple inert anodes


14


are positioned above the vessel


4


. An electrolytic bath or electrolyte


16


and a molten aluminum pad


17


are contained in the vessel


4


. As shown in

FIG. 2

, during operation of the aluminum production cell


2


, the level of the electrolyte


16


may vary, e.g., as shown by the lower electrolyte level


16




a


. Similarly, the level of the molten aluminum pad


17


may vary, e.g., as shown by the lower molten aluminum pad


17




a


. As more fully described below, insulation assemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are capable of adjusting for such changes in electrolyte and aluminum pad levels.




In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, side insulation assemblies


20


are supported by the deck plate


10


and the inert anode assemblies


12


along the side aisles


5


and


6


. As shown in

FIG. 1

, smaller side insulation assemblies


22


are supported by the larger side insulation assemblies


20


. As also shown in

FIG. 1

, at least one tapping insulation assembly


24


may be provided along the side aisle


5


, or at any other desired location. The tapping insulation assembly


24


is supported by the deck plate


10


and an inert anode assembly


12


in a similar manner as the side insulation assemblies


20


.




As shown in

FIG. 2

, each of the side insulation and tapping insulation assemblies


20


and


24


are supported by the deck plate


10


and inert anode assemblies


12


in a manner which allows adjustment for vertical movement of the inert anode assemblies


12


during operation of the cell


2


. For example, when an inert anode assembly


12


moves vertically from a relatively high position shown on the left of

FIG. 2

to a relatively low position shown on the right of

FIG. 2

, the side insulation and tapping insulation assemblies


20


and


24


are capable of pivoting or rocking in order to adjust for such vertical movement of the inert anode assemblies


12


.





FIG. 3

is a top view and

FIG. 4

is a side sectional view of the side insulation assembly


20


in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the side insulation assembly


20


comprises multiple deck plate support members


26


and multiple inert anode assembly support members


28


attached to insulation material


30


. Although multiple support members


26


and


28


are shown in the embodiment of

FIGS. 3 and 4

, single support members could alternatively be used. Furthermore, when multiple support members are used, the side insulation assembly


20


may include any suitable number of such support members. The support members


26


and


28


may be made of any suitable material such as steel, stainless steel or Inconel.




As shown most clearly in

FIG. 4

, the deck plate support members


26


are electrically insulated from the inert anode assembly support members


28


. Such electrical insulation may be achieved as shown in FIG.


4


through the use of electrically insulating pads


26




a


and


28




a


between each of the support members


26


and


28


and the remainder of the insulation assembly. Alternatively, at least the upper surface of the insulation material


30


may comprise an electrically insulating material which isolates the deck plate support members


26


from the inert anode assembly support members


28


. In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the side insulation assembly


20


comprises a protective cover


36


made of any suitable material such as steel, stainless steel or Inconel. A handle


37


may be attached to the protective cover


36


, or at any other suitable location on the side insulation assembly


20


.




As shown most clearly in

FIG. 4

, the insulation material


30


of the side insulation assembly


20


is supported by the deck plate support members


26


and the inert anode assembly support members


28


. Mechanical fasteners


38


and


39


as shown in

FIG. 4

may be used for securement to the insulation material


30


. However, any other suitable means of attachment may be used.




In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the insulation material


30


comprises exterior and interior insulation portions comprising different insulating materials. An exterior insulating portion


32


is located on a side wall of the insulation assembly


20


. The exterior side wall insulating portion


32


may comprise, for example, a blanket made from woven or mat material such as silica, aluminosilicates, alumina or mineral wool. The side insulation assembly


20


also includes an exterior bottom surface insulation portion


33


comprising, for example, a castable ceramic material such as aluminosilicates, alumina, silicon carbide, calcium aluminate and silicon nitride. The interior insulating portion


34


may comprise any suitable form of insulation, e.g., boards, blankets, loose fill and the like. In the embodiment shown in

FIG. 4

, the interior insulating portion


34


comprises multiple boards of insulating material such as calcium silicate.




The side insulation assembly


20


shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

typically has a length L of from about 40 to about 200 cm. The side insulation assembly


20


has a height H which typically ranges from about 10 to about 50 cm, and a width W which typically ranges from about 5 to about 80 cm. Preferably, the side insulation assembly


20


has a height H of from about 20 to about 40 cm, and a width W of from about 10 to about 60 cm.





FIG. 5

is a top view and

FIG. 6

is a side sectional view of the small insulation assembly


22


. The small insulation assembly


22


includes an extended cover


40


which serves to support the assembly


22


when it is installed between adjacent side insulation assemblies


20


, as shown in FIG.


1


. The small insulation assembly


22


may comprise one or more handles


42


as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

.




The small insulation assembly


22


has a length L which typically ranges from about 5 to about 30 cm. The height H and width W of the small insulation assembly may be comparable to those of the side insulation assembly


20


. In a preferred embodiment, the small insulation assembly


22


is sufficiently light in weight such that it may be installed and removed from the cell


2


by manual lifting. The small insulation assembly


22


preferably weighs less than about 30 kg, more preferably from about 5 to about 25 kg. In contrast, the larger side insulation assembly


20


typically weighs from about 30 to about 250 kg.





FIG. 7

is a top view of the tapping insulation assembly


24


.

FIG. 8

is a side sectional view showing the tapping insulation assembly


24


supported by the deck plate


10


and inert anode assembly


12


in the aluminum production cell. The tapping insulation assembly


24


comprises a tap hole


44


and a removable cover


46


. A handle


48


is attached to the removable cover


46


. The removable cover


46


may be made from a castable ceramic material such as aluminosilicates, alumina, silicon carbide, calcium aluminate and silicon nitride.





FIG. 9

is a top view and

FIG. 10

is a sectional side view of an inert anode aluminum production cell


102


in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The aluminum production cell


102


, which is similar to the cell


2


shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, includes an electrolytic bath containment vessel


104


having side aisles


105


and


106


, end aisles


107


and


108


, and a center aisle


109


. A deck plate


110


is provided on the vessel


104


, in a similar manner as the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. As shown in

FIG. 9

, side insulation assemblies


120


, similar to the side insulation assemblies


20


shown in

FIG. 1

, are provided along the side aisles


105


,


106


of the vessel


104


. As also shown in

FIG. 9

, at least one tapping insulation assembly


124


is installed in the cell


102


, similar to the tapping insulation assembly


24


shown in FIG.


1


.




In the embodiment shown in

FIGS. 9 and 10

, in addition to the side insulation assemblies


120


, the aluminum production cell


102


is provided with end insulation assemblies


125


along the end aisles


107


and


108


, corner insulation assemblies


126


, and center aisle insulation assemblies


128


along the center aisle


109


. The end insulation assemblies


125


may be of similar construction as the side insulation assemblies


120


shown in FIG.


9


and the side insulation assemblies


20


shown in FIG.


1


.




A side sectional view of the center aisle insulation assembly


128


is shown in FIG.


11


. The center aisle insulation assembly


128


includes a support cover


50


which rests on an inert anode assembly


12


when the center aisle insulation assembly


128


is installed in the aluminum production cell


102


. As shown in

FIG. 11

, a handle


52


may be attached to the center aisle insulation assembly


128


.





FIG. 12

is a top view and

FIGS. 13 and 14

are sectional views of the corner insulation assembly


126


. The corner insulation assembly


126


is basically a modification of the side insulation assembly


120


adapted for installation at the corners of the vessel


104


. The corner insulation assembly


126


includes an inert anode assembly support member


58


, as well as multiple deck plate support members


56


. The corner insulation assembly


126


also includes handles


62


attached to a protective cover


60


.




The metal production cells


2


and


102


in which the present insulating assemblies may be installed may consist of a conventional Hall-Heroult design, with a cathode and insulating material enclosed in a steel shell. Each inert anode assembly


12


is attached to a bridge in a known manner. The inert anode assemblies


12


may consist of a metallic distributor plate which distributes current to the array of anodes


14


through a metallic conductor pin. The inert anode assemblies


12


may each include multiple inert anodes


14


, e.g., as shown in

FIGS. 1

,


2


,


9


and


10


. In the embodiments described herein, the cell


2


or


102


contains an array of eleven inert anode assemblies


12


. However, any other suitable number of inert anode assemblies may be used. Each assembly may replace a single consumable carbon anode of the cell.




Any desired inert anode shape or size may be used. For example, the substantially cylindrical cup-shaped inert anodes


14


may have diameters of from about 5 to about 30 inches and heights of from about 5 to about 20 inches. The composition of each inert anode


14


may include any suitable metal, ceramic, cermet, etc. which possesses satisfactory corrosion resistance and stability during the aluminum production process. For example, inert anode compositions disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,374,050, 4,374,761, 4,399,008, 4,455,211, 4,582,585, 4,584,172, 4,620,905, 5,794,112, 5,865,980, and 6,217,739, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/629,332 filed Aug. 1, 2000, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, may be suitable for use in the inert anodes


14


. Particularly preferred inert anode compositions comprise cermet materials including an Fe—Ni—Zn oxide or Fe—Ni—Co oxide phase in combination with a metal phase such as Cu and/or Ag. Each inert anode


14


may comprise a uniform material throughout its thickness, or may include a more corrosion resistant material in the regions exposed to the electrolytic bath.




The anode connectors of the assemblies


12


may be made of suitable materials which provide sufficient electrical conductivity and mechanical support for the inert anodes. For example, each connector may be made of Inconel. Optionally, a highly conductive metal core such as copper may be provided inside an Inconel sleeve. The connectors may be attached to the inert anodes


14


by any suitable means such as brazing, sintering and mechanical fastening. For example, a connector comprising an Inconel sleeve and a copper core may be attached to a cup-shaped inert anode by filling the bottom of the inert anode with a mixture of copper powder and small copper beads, followed by sintering of the mixture to attach the copper core to the inside of the anode. Each connector may optionally include separate components for providing mechanical support and supplying electrical current to the inert anodes.




In accordance with a preferred embodiment, additional insulation may be used within the anode assemblies


12


in order to conserve more of the heat presently lost from conventional cells, while at the same time avoiding undesirable increases in total voltage. An insulation package (not shown in detail) may be installed on top of each assembly


12


which can survive under severe conditions. The insulating package preferably includes one or more thermal insulating layers of any suitable composition(s). For example, a highly corrosion resistant refractory insulating material may be provided on the exposed regions of the insulating package, while a material having higher thermal insulation properties may be provided in the interior regions. The insulating package may also include an electrically conductive metal plate (not shown) which provides a current path from the conductive support member to the connectors. In one embodiment, an insulating package consisting of a castable ceramic enclosure filled with insulating material(s) may be provided between the plate and anodes. The ceramic enclosure may be supported by the metal distributor plate, which may be attached to existing anode rods and stubs common to conventional carbon anodes. The conductive metal plate may be at least partially covered with a thermally insulating and/or corrosion resistant material (not shown). Electrically conductive elements such as copper straps may optionally be provided between the conductive support member and connectors.




Advantages of the side aisle, end aisle and center aisle insulation assemblies of the present invention include reduced heat loss, reduced bath vapor losses, and thermally stable cell operation.




Having described the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A metal production cell comprising:an electrolytic bath containment vessel comprising a wall defining a deck plate; at least one inert anode assembly mounted over the vessel; and at least one insulation assembly located along a side aisle or end aisle of the vessel and supported by the at least one anode assembly and the deck plate, wherein the at least one insulation assembly includes means for adjusting for movement of the at least one inert anode assembly in relation to the deck plate.
  • 2. The metal production cell of claim 1, wherein the adjusting means comprises means for permitting rocking movement of the at least one insulation assembly upon a substantially vertical movement of the at least one inert anode assembly in relation to the deck plate.
  • 3. The metal production cell of claim 1, wherein the metal production cell comprises a plurality of the insulation assemblies positioned adjacent each other.
  • 4. The metal production cell of claim 3, further comprising another smaller insulation assembly between the adjacent insulation assemblies.
  • 5. The metal production cell of claim 4, wherein the smaller insulation assembly is supported by the adjacent insulation assemblies.
  • 6. The metal production cell of claim 4, wherein the smaller insulation assembly has a length of from about 5 to about 30 cm.
  • 7. The metal production cell of claim 6, wherein the adjacent insulation assemblies each have a length of from about 40 to about 200 cm.
  • 8. The metal production cell of claim 4, wherein the smaller insulation assembly weighs less than about 30 kg.
  • 9. The metal production cell of claim 8, wherein the smaller insulation assembly weighs from about 5 to about 25 kg.
  • 10. The metal production cell of claim 8, wherein the adjacent insulation assemblies each weigh from about 30 to about 250 kg.
  • 11. The metal production cell of claim 1, wherein the at least one insulation assembly comprises at least one deck plate support member and at least one inert anode assembly support member which are electrically insulated from each other.
  • 12. The metal production cell of claim 1, wherein the cell is an aluminum production cell.
  • 13. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member, wherein the at least one deck plate support member, the at least one inert anode assembly support member and the insulation material are structured and arranged to allow for adjustable movement of the insulation assembly in relation to a deck plate of the aluminum production cell.
  • 14. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member are electrically insulated from each other.
  • 15. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one deck plate support member comprises a substantially horizontal portion extending from the insulation material adapted for contact with a deck plate of the aluminum production cell.
  • 16. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one deck plate support member comprises a metal selected from steel, stainless steel and Inconel.
  • 17. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly comprises a plurality of the deck plate support members.
  • 18. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one inert anode assembly support member comprises a substantially horizontal portion extending from the insulation material adapted for contact with an inert anode assembly of the aluminum production cell.
  • 19. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one inert anode assembly support member comprises a metal selected from steel, stainless steel and Inconel.
  • 20. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly comprises a plurality of the inert anode assembly support members.
  • 21. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one deck plate support member comprises a substantially flat portion extending from the insulation material, and the at least one inert anode assembly support member comprises a substantially flat portion extending from the insulation material.
  • 22. The insulation assembly of claim 21, wherein the flat portions of the deck plate and inert anode assembly support members extend in substantially parallel planes.
  • 23. The insulation assembly of claim 22, wherein the flat portion of the deck plate support member extends in a plane below the plane of the flat portion of the inert anode assembly support member.
  • 24. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation material comprises exterior and interior insulation portions comprising different insulating materials.
  • 25. The insulation assembly of claim 24, wherein the exterior insulating portion is located on a side wall of the insulation assembly.
  • 26. The insulation assembly of claim 25, wherein the exterior side wall insulating portion comprises a blanket comprising at least one material selected from silica, aluminosilicates, alumina and mineral wool.
  • 27. The insulation assembly of claim 24, wherein the exterior insulation portion is located on a bottom surface of the insulation assembly.
  • 28. The insulation assembly of claim 27, wherein the exterior bottom surface insulation portion comprises a castable ceramic comprising at least one material selected from aluminosilicates, alumina, silicon carbide, calcium aluminate and silicon nitride.
  • 29. The insulation assembly of claim 24, wherein the interior insulating portion comprises multiple boards of material.
  • 30. The insulation assembly of claim 29, wherein the interior insulating portion comprises calcium silicate.
  • 31. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member are secured to the insulation material by mechanical fasteners.
  • 32. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the insulation material is covered by a protective cover.
  • 33. The insulation assembly of claim 32, wherein the protective cover comprises at least one metal selected from steel, stainless steel and Inconel.
  • 34. The insulation assembly of claim 13, further comprising at least one lift handle attached to the insulation assembly.
  • 35. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly has a height of from about 10 to about 50 cm and a width of from about 5 to about 80 cm.
  • 36. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly has a height of from about 20 to about 40 cm and a width of from about 10 to about 60 cm.
  • 37. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly has a length of from about 40 to about 200 cm.
  • 38. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly weighs from about 30 to about 250 kg.
  • 39. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly is adapted for installation along a side aisle of the aluminum production cell.
  • 40. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly is adapted for installation along an end aisle of the aluminum production cell.
  • 41. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly is adapted for installation at a corner of the aluminum production cell.
  • 42. The insulation assembly of claim 13, wherein the insulation assembly comprises a tap hole through at least a portion of the assembly.
  • 43. The insulation assembly of claim 42, wherein the insulation assembly comprises a removable cover for the tap hole.
  • 44. The insulation assembly of claim 43, wherein the removable cover comprises a handle.
  • 45. The insulation assembly of claim 43, wherein the removable cover comprises a castable ceramic comprising at least one material selected from aluminosilicates, alumina, silicon carbide, calcium aluminate and silicon nitride.
  • 46. A method of thermally insulating a metal production cell, the method comprising:providing an electrolytic bath containment vessel; providing at least one anode assembly comprising at least one inert anode over the vessel; and installing at least one insulation assembly along a side aisle or an end aisle of the vessel supported by the at least one anode assembly, wherein the electrolytic bath containment vessel comprises a wall defining a deck plate, and the at least one anode assembly is further supported by the deck plate.
  • 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the cell is an aluminum production cell.
  • 48. A metal production cell comprising:an electrolytic bath containment vessel comprising a wall defining a deck plate; at least one inert anode assembly mounted over the vessel; and at least one insulation assembly located along a side aisle or end aisle of the vessel and supported by the at least one anode assembly and the deck plate, wherein the at least one insulation assembly comprises at least one deck plate support member and at least one inert anode assembly support member which are electrically insulated from each other.
  • 49. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member, wherein the at least one deck plate support member comprises a substantially flat portion extending from the insulation material, and the at least one inert anode assembly support member comprises a substantially flat portion extending from the insulation material.
  • 50. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member, wherein the insulation material comprises exterior and interior insulation portions comprising different insulating materials, and the exterior insulating portion comprises a blanket located on a side wall of the insulation assembly.
  • 51. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member; and at least one lift handle attached to the insulation assembly.
  • 52. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member, wherein the insulation assembly has a length of from about 40 to about 200 cm.
  • 53. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member, wherein the insulation assembly weighs from about 30 to about 250 kg.
  • 54. An insulation assembly for an aluminum production cell, the insulation assembly comprising:at least one deck plate support member; at least one inert anode assembly support member; and insulation material connected to the at least one deck plate support member and the at least one inert anode assembly support member, wherein the insulation assembly comprises a tap hole through at least a portion of the assembly and a removable cover for the tap hole.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/219,711 filed Jul. 19, 2000.

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Number Date Country
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