ELECTROLYZER FOR OBTAINING METALS FROM SALT MELTS Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: operation of electrolyzer requires periodical replacement of anodes 3 apt to be burnt. In such case anode unit is removed from electrolyzer and anode 3 is disengaged from anode holder by rotation. New anode 3 is connected instead of removed one and anode unit is newly mounted within electrolyzer. Bead 17 of low-melting point metal is molten. Metal 12 fills spaces 9-11 to provide for electric contact between anode 3 and anode holder 5. In case electric contact is broken as a result of oxidation of metal 12, electric contact is restored by lowering anode unit into hotter zone. Additional portion of bead 17 is molten to increase gas pressure in opening 15, which urges metal 12 in opening 15 to flow down and metal 12 in coil spacing to flow up. It results in breaking through oxide plug and restoring of electric contact. EFFECT: reduced cost of produced metal. 2 cl, 3 cl