The invention relates to a unit (1) for filling petroleum coke into a cell (2) of a furnace (3) for baking anodes (4) intended for the production of primary aluminium, the cells (2) containing anodes (4), the filling unit (1) comprising: - a filling pipe (5) in which a flow of petroleum coke moves in a direction of movement; - a suction system (6) comprising a suction device (7) and a pipe (8) for sucking up particles of petroleum coke, referred to as fines, in which filling unit (1) the suction pipe (8) opens on the one hand into the filling pipe (5) via a suction opening (9), the suction pipe (8) being connected on the other hand to the suction device (7) such that the suction system (6) is able to suck up the fine particles present in the filling pipe (5).
C25C 3/16 - Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnacesRetort furnacesOther furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
The invention relates to a unit (1) for filling petroleum coke into a cell (2) of a furnace (3) for baking anodes (4) intended for the production of primary aluminium, the cells (2) containing anodes (4), the filling unit (1) comprising: -a filling pipe (5) in which a flow of petroleum coke moves in a direction of movement; - a suction system (6) comprising a suction device (7) and a pipe (8) for sucking up particles of petroleum coke, referred to as fines, in whichfilling unit (1) the suction pipe (8) opens on the one hand into the filling pipe (5) via a suction opening (9), the suction pipe (8) being connected on the other hand to the suction device (7) such that the suction system (6) is able to suck up the fine particles present in the filling pipe (5).
C25C 3/16 - Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars
F27B 5/04 - Muffle furnacesRetort furnacesOther furnaces in which the charge is held completely isolated adapted for treating the charge in vacuum or special atmosphere
F27B 5/16 - Arrangements of air or gas supply devices
3.
SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERISING A GEOMETRY OF A SUSPENDED LOAD, METHOD USING SUCH A SYSTEM AND FACILITY FOR PRODUCING ALUMINIUM BY ELECTROLYSIS COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM
A system (10) for characterising a geometry of a moving load (1) suspended by means of a rod (4), the system comprising: - at least one geometry sensor (11) having a field of view in which the load (1) is able to travel by means of the movement of the carriage; - a system (13) for determining the sway of the rod (4) and/or the load (1); - a corrector (14) correcting the image of the geometry of the portion of the load (1) corrected by the sway; - a system (15) for reconstructing the geometry of at least part of the load (1) based on the image of the corrected geometry of at least two portions of the load (1).
B66C 13/46 - Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
C25C 3/06 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
G01B 11/04 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
G01B 11/10 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters of objects while moving
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
G01B 21/04 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring length, width, or thickness by measuring coordinates of points
4.
SYSTEM FOR CHARACTERISING A GEOMETRY OF A SUSPENDED LOAD, METHOD USING SUCH A SYSTEM AND FACILITY FOR PRODUCING ALUMINIUM BY ELECTROLYSIS COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEM
A system (10) for characterising a geometry of a moving load (1) suspended by means of a rod (4), the system comprising: − at least one geometry sensor (11) having a field of view in which the load (1) is able to travel by means of the movement of the carriage; − a system (13) for determining the sway of the rod (4) and/or the load (1); − a corrector (14) correcting the image of the geometry of the portion of the load (1) corrected by the sway; − a system (15) for reconstructing the geometry of at least part of the load (1) based on the image of the corrected geometry of at least two portions of the load (1).
G01B 11/04 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring length, width, or thickness specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
G01B 11/10 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring diameters of objects while moving
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
G01B 21/04 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring length, width, or thickness by measuring coordinates of points
B66C 13/46 - Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
C25C 3/06 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
5.
PROCESS FOR INSTALLING AN ANODE COVER IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL, SERVICE MACHINE CAPABLE OF IMPLEMENTING SUCH A PROCESS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH A PROCESS
Process for installing an anode cover in an electrolytic cell (2) used for the production of aluminium, by means of a service machine (4) comprising at least one device (23) for dispensing a covering product (22) on at least one anode block (9), the process comprising at least the following steps: /1/ layer deposition of a controlled amount of a covering product (22) on an upper surface (Ssup) of the anode block (9, 9'); /2/ measurement, with the aid of a sensor (26), of the thickness of the layer of covering product (22) deposited; /3/ comparison between the measured thickness and a reference thickness; /4/ calculation of a corrective amount of covering product (22) in order to attain the reference thickness: /5/ correction of the thickness of the layer of the covering product (22) with the aid of the corrective amount.
PROCESS FOR INSTALLING AN ANODE COVER IN AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL, SERVICE MACHINE CAPABLE OF IMPLEMENTING SUCH A PROCESS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH APROCESS
Process for installing an anode cover in an electrolytic cell (2) used for the production of aluminium, by means of a service machine (4) comprising at least one device (23) for dispensing a covering product (22) on at least one anode block (9), the process comprising at least the following steps: /1/ layer deposition of a controlled amount of a covering product (22) on an upper surface (Ssup) of the anode block (9, 9'); /2/ measurement, with the aid of a sensor (26), of the thickness of the layer of covering product (22) deposited; /3/ comparison between the measured thickness and a reference thickness; /4/ calculation of a corrective amount of covering product (22) in order to attain the reference thickness: /5/ correction of the thickness of the layer of the covering product (22) with the aid of the corrective amount.
The invention relates to a handling device (10) comprising a structure (50) on which the following are mounted, namely: means (60) for attaching to a lifting unit; first securing means (51) that engage with a first device of the cell in order to form a first rigid assembly to be lifted, said first assembly having a first centre of gravity located at a first location in relation to the structure; and second securing means (52) that engage with a second device of the cell in order to form a second rigid assembly to be lifted, said second assembly having a second centre of gravity located at a second different location in relation to the structure. A compensation system (63) can be used to compensate for the difference in location between the first and second centres of gravity, such that the lifted device can maintain a substantially horizontal orientation.
B66C 1/10 - Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting, lowering, or hauling gear of cranes, or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
B66C 1/66 - Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting, lowering, or hauling gear of cranes, or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof
B66C 17/06 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
C25C 3/08 - Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
C25C 3/10 - External supporting frames or structures
8.
FACILITY FOR PRODUCING ALUMINIUM BY MEANS OF IGNEOUS ELECTROLYSIS
The facility (1) comprises a service module (36) mounted on a carriage (35, 45) movably mounted on a bridge crane (31) extending in a transverse direction (Y) and moving in a longitudinal direction (X) above cells (2) containing anode assemblies (15). The service module (36) comprises handling and intervention tools distributed between first and second tool blocks (100, 200) comprising at least one first and at least one second masts (111, 211) attached to the carriage, each carrying at the lower part of same one or more tools and designed such that the tools can be moved substantially in the vertical direction (Z). The masts are separate, independent with respect to the vertical displacement movement of the tools and arranged relative to each other in such a way that the two tool blocks (100, 200) are disposed along a single horizontal arrangement axis (X, Y) and each have a central plane (P1X, P1Y, P2X, P2Y), perpendicular to said arrangement axis (X, Y), the distance between the two central planes of the tool blocks in a direction parallel to the arrangement axis (X, Y) being greater than the distance (dX, dY) in said single direction between the central planes, perpendicular to said arrangement axis (X, Y) of the anode assemblies (15) located in a cell (2). Therefore, the tool or tools of the first block (100) can be used in a first action sector (151) of the cell (2) at the same time that the tool or tools of the second block (200) are used in a second action sector (251) separate from the first and located at a distance from the first action sector (151), when projected in a horizontal plane (X, Y) parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) and the transverse direction (Y).
C25C 3/08 - Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
B66C 11/00 - Trolleys or crabs, e.g. operating above runways
B66C 17/06 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
9.
UNIT FOR OPERATING AN ALUMINUM PRODUCTION PLANT, ALUMINUM PRODUCTION PLANT, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A PLANT OF SAID TYPE
The unit for operating an aluminum production plant comprises a lifting system that includes: - an upper portion (112) secured to a movable carriage of the plant; - an intermediate portion (113) which can move relative to the upper portion along a vertical upper guiding axis (114) and which supports a first tool (101) that can intervene in a first operational region (161) when the intermediate portion is in the bottom position; - a lower portion (115) which can move relative to the intermediate portion along a vertical lower guiding axis (116) and which supports a second tool (120) that can intervene in a second operational region (162) when the lower portion is in the bottom position. The operational regions are located at a distance from one another in the (X, Y) directions, and the first operational region is higher than the second operational region in the (Z) direction.
C25C 3/06 - Electrolytic production, recovery or refining of metals by electrolysis of melts of aluminium
B66C 17/04 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports with lifting beams, e.g. slewable beams, carrying load-engaging elements, e.g. magnets, hooks
B66C 17/06 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
B66C 17/08 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes for charging treatment chambers, e.g. furnaces, kilns, ovens
The unit (30) comprises: - an overhead traveling crane (31) which has two cross-beams (32) and travels in a longitudinal direction above the cells (2) of the plant (1); - a carriage (35, 45) which is mounted on the beams (32) so as to be movable in the lateral direction and which can be placed opposite each of the tops (10) of the cells and on which a service module (36) is mounted that comprises tools, including an anode assembly holder (201) and a top holder (101); - at least one support (51, 52) which can temporarily hold at least one element that is part of a cell and/or a piece of equipment that is to interact with said element in order for the cell to be operated, the support being suspended underneath the overhead traveling crane or the carriage and being translationally movable in the lateral direction in relation to the carriage.
B66C 11/00 - Trolleys or crabs, e.g. operating above runways
B66C 17/06 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
11.
METHOD FOR DETACHING A SPENT ANODE ASSEMBLY FROM A VESSEL OF AN ALUMINUM PRODUCTION PLANT
The method of the invention is carried out in order to detach a spent anode assembly (15) comprising at least one spent anode (16b) around which a crust has formed during electrolysis. The disclosed method involves a step in which a tool is used to break off the crust and the tool is moved along at least one section of the periphery of the spent anode so as to form a breaking line that is sufficient to allow the anode assembly to then be removed from the vessel (6). According to the invention, at least one tool used comprises a rotary disk (220) that has a substantially horizontal axis (221), the rotary disk being made to rotate about the axis thereof and being able to cut the crust.
B28D 1/04 - Working stone or stone-like materials, e.g. brick, concrete, not provided for elsewhereMachines, devices, tools therefor by sawing with circular saw blades or saw discs
B23D 59/02 - Devices for lubricating or cooling circular saw blades
B23D 61/04 - Circular saw blades with inserted saw teeth
B23D 59/00 - Accessories specially designed for sawing machines or sawing devices
12.
VEHICLE FOR OPERATING CELLS OF AN ALUMINIUM PRODUCTION FACILITY, AND CORRESPONDING FACILITY AND METHOD
The vehicle comprises an oblong chassis (51) resting on a first axle (61) with two wheels (60) and a second axle (62) with two wheels (60) and carrying, at one of the longitudinal ends of same, a hinged arm (52) provided with a tool (56, 57), in particular for handling covers of a cell. Each of the wheels is mounted at a longitudinal end and at a lateral end of the chassis, movably about a vertical steering axis, and can be driven in one direction or the other about the axis of rotation (63) of same. Means for blocking the wheels are designed to block the wheels of one axle, relative to the steering axis, in the neutral position, when the vehicle moves in a direction such that said axle is the rear axle.
The system (50) is intended to be mounted on a mobile unit of the facility in order to be able to be moved over the cells. It comprises: a support (51) intended to be mounted on the unit; a hinged arm (52) mounted on the support; a gripping device (60) for gripping at least one cover (33) designed to be able to be coupled to a first end (53) of the arm; and a temporary storage device (55) for storing at least one cover, said storage device, mounted on the support, being capable of receiving at least one cover delivered by the arm provided with the gripping device and of allowing said arm provided with the gripping device to retrieve at least one cover previously placed in the storage device.
The system (50) is intended to be mounted on a mobile unit of the facility in order to be able to be moved over the cells. It comprises: a support (51) intended to be mounted on the unit; a hinged arm (52) mounted on the support; a gripping device (60) for gripping at least one cover (33) designed to be able to be coupled to a first end (53) of the arm; and a temporary storage device (55) for storing at least one cover, said storage device, mounted on the support, being capable of receiving at least one cover delivered by the arm provided with the gripping device and of allowing said arm provided with the gripping device to retrieve at least one cover previously placed in the storage device.
The invention relates to a carriage (20) which makes it possible to operate a furnace (3) comprising longitudinal cavities arranged next to one another in a transverse direction (Y), with a constant centre-to-centre distance (d). The carriage, which can move according in transverse direction above the cavities, has a median longitudinal plane (P). The carriage comprises at least first and second tools (23, 30) of a single first type, arranged such as to be inserted each into one cavity such as to perform a single first function, and each having a vertical axis (24, 31), said axes being transversely separated by a distance (B) equal to the centre-to-centre distance (d) of the cavities. Said axes are arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the median longitudinal plane (P) of the carriage, and define therebetween a substantially longitudinal central corridor (50) on the carriage.
B66C 17/06 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
F27B 13/02 - Furnaces with both stationary charge and progression of heating, e.g. of ring type or of the type in which a segmental kiln moves over a stationary charge of multiple-chamber type with permanent partitionsCombinations of furnaces
F27B 13/06 - Details, accessories or equipment specially adapted for furnaces of this type
F27D 3/06 - Charging or discharging machines on travelling carriages
F27D 3/12 - Travelling or movable supports or containers for the charge
16.
CARRIAGE AND MACHINE FOR OPERATING A FURNACE IN AN ANODE-FIRING FACILITY
The invention relates to a carriage (20) which makes it possible to operate a furnace (3) comprising longitudinal cavities arranged next to one another in a transverse direction (Y), with a constant centre-to-centre distance (d). The carriage, which can move according in transverse direction above the cavities, has a median longitudinal plane (P). The carriage comprises at least first and second tools (23, 30) of a single first type, arranged such as to be inserted each into one cavity such as to perform a single first function, and each having a vertical axis (24, 31), said axes being transversely separated by a distance (B) equal to the centre-to-centre distance (d) of the cavities. Said axes are arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the median longitudinal plane (P) of the carriage, and define therebetween a substantially longitudinal central corridor (50) on the carriage.
F27B 13/02 - Furnaces with both stationary charge and progression of heating, e.g. of ring type or of the type in which a segmental kiln moves over a stationary charge of multiple-chamber type with permanent partitionsCombinations of furnaces
F27B 13/06 - Details, accessories or equipment specially adapted for furnaces of this type
F27D 3/06 - Charging or discharging machines on travelling carriages
F27D 3/12 - Travelling or movable supports or containers for the charge
B66C 17/06 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forgesOverhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
The invention relates to a service module (19) for a plant for producing aluminum, including a frame (25) and a rotary portion (33) including a hopper (37) mounted on said frame so as to pivot about a substantially vertical axis, said rotary portion being provided with at least one tool (21, 22) mounted on a telescopic arm, said service module including a first support structure (35) which is intended for supporting the entirety of said rotary portion and which is mounted on said frame so as to pivot about a substantially vertical axis, a stationary member (39) of said telescopic arm being mounted on a second structure (41) for supporting said rotary portion via coupling means (43) attached to a coupling portion of said stationary element, said coupling portion being spaced apart from the ends (45, 47) of said stationary element. The invention also relates to a service machine (5), to a service unit including the above-described service module, and to the use of said service unit.
B66C 17/00 - Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially-horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports
C25C 3/10 - External supporting frames or structures
The invention relates to a system for constantly monitoring the insulation of a body relative to neighbouring bodies that comprises: a) a CPI (100); b) a first portion (103) of a measuring circuit connecting said body (70) to a first terminal (101) of said CPI; c) a second portion (104, 201, 108, 109) of a measuring circuit for connecting the second terminal (102) of said CPI to each of the adjacent bodies (80, 90), said second portion including at least one relay (201) for alternatively connecting said CPI to a portion (104, 201, 108; and 104, 201, 109) of the measuring circuit, connected to said adjacent body (80 and 90). The CPI alternatively injects a current, upon each switching, into the measuring circuit in order to regularly monitor the insulation of the different portions of an intervention unit to be operated in an electrolysis cell, the measuring circuits being preferably adapted so that a single CPI is used. The system may also include a system for regularly monitoring the power circuits.
patents
