FIELD: production of aluminium by electrolysis of cryolite-alumina melts. SUBSTANCE: in aluminium electrolyzer with self-fired anode contact layer of coke is made in the form of two longitudinal rows symmetric relative to longitudinal axis of electrolyzer that are projections of left and right rows of current-feeding pins to edges of anode with variable width and/or height of layer. The rest part of bottom is filled with cryolite or mixture of cryolite and return electrolyte, in space " side-anode " to entire height of shaft. Width and/or height of coke layer may be increased in direction from lateral axis towards end faces of electrolyzer. Length of coke layer may have breaks in zone of lateral axis of electrolyzer. At end face sections of electrolyzer rows of coke layer may be interconnected. EFFECT: prolonged service life of electrolyzer, increased productivity, decreased consumption of electric energy, raw material, diminished labor input and improved quality of produced aluminium. 3 cl, 3 dwg , 1 tbl
