Patrick B Frizzle

6379512, Apr 30, 2002

Nov 25, 2000

09/721846

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Lynnwood WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Northwest Aluminum Technology - The Dalles OR

C25C 300

204245, 204291, 204292, 204294

An electrolytic bath for use during the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum. The bath comprises molten electrolyte having the following ingredients: AlF and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF, and LiF; and about 0. 004 wt. % to about 0. 2 wt. %, based on total weight of the molten electrolyte, of at least one transition metal or at least one compound of the metal or both. The compound is, a fluoride; oxide, or carbonate. The metal is nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, or molybdenum. The bath is employed in a combination including a vessel for containing the bath and at least one non-consumable anode and at least one dimensionally stable cathode in the bath. Employing the instant bath during electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum improves the wetting of aluminum on a cathode by reducing or eliminating the formation of non-metallic deposits on the cathode.

6419813, Jul 16, 2002

Nov 25, 2000

09/721847

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Theodore R. Beck - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Seattle WA

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

C25C 316

205374, 205376, 205378, 205380, 205386, 205387, 205394, 205395, 205396

Cathode connector means for low temperature aluminum smelting cell for connecting titanium diboride cathode or the like to bus bars.

6436272, Aug 20, 2002

Oct 4, 2000

09/678238

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Seattle WA

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

C25C 316

205374, 205376, 205378, 205380, 205386, 205387, 205394, 205395, 205396, 2042431, 204244, 204245, 2042473, 2042474, 204280

A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte. A plurality of non-consumable anodes are disposed substantially vertically in the electrolyte along with a plurality of monolithic hollow cathodes. Each cathode has a top and bottom and the cathodes are disposed vertically in the electrolyte and the anodes and the cathodes are arranged in alternating relationship. Each of the cathodes is comprised of a first side facing a first opposing anode and a second side facing a second opposing anode. The first and second sides are joined by ends to form a reservoir in the hollow cathode for collecting aluminum therein deposited at the cathode.

6485628, Nov 26, 2002

Nov 25, 2000

09/721836

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Lynnwood WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Northwest Aluminum Technology - The Dalles OR

C25C 306

205381, 205384, 205392, 205393, 205394, 205396

An electrolytic bath for use during the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum. The bath comprises a molten electrolyte having the following ingredients: (a) AlF and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF, and LiF; and (b) about 0. 004 wt. % to about 0. 2 wt. %, based on total weight of the molten electrolyte, of at least one transition metal or at least one compound of the metal or both. The compound may be, for example, a fluoride, oxide, or carbonate. The metal can be nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, or molybdenum. The bath can be employed in a combination that includes a vessel for containing the bath and at least one non-consumable anode and at least one dimensionally stable cathode in the bath. Employing the bath of the present invention during electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum can improve the wetting of aluminum on a cathode by reducing or eliminating the formation of non-metallic deposits on the cathode. Removing sulfur from the bath can also minimize cathode deposits.

6497807, Dec 24, 2002

Nov 25, 2000

09/721845

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Seattle WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Northwest Aluminum Technologies - Seattle WA

C25C 306

205372, 205394, 205392, 205233, 205385, 205386, 205387

A method of treating an electrolyte for use in the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum employing an anode and a cathode, the alumina dissolved in the electrolyte, the treating improving wetting of the cathode with molten aluminum during electrolysis. The method comprises the steps of providing a molten electrolyte comprised of ALF and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF and LiF, and treating the electrolyte by providing therein 0. 004 to 0. 2 wt. % of a transition metal or transition metal compound for improved wettability of the cathode with molten aluminum during subsequent electrolysis to reduce alumina to aluminum.

6258247, Jul 10, 2001

Feb 9, 1999

9/247196

Craig W. Brown - Seattle WA
Richard J. Brooks - Seattle WA
Patrick B. Frizzle - Lynnwood WA
Drago D. Juric - Bulleen, AU

Northwest Aluminum Technology - The Dalles OR

C25C 306

205394

An electrolytic bath for use during the electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum. The bath comprises a molten electrolyte having the following ingredients: (a) AlF. sub. 3 and at least one salt selected from the group consisting of NaF, KF, and LiF; and (b) about 0. 004 wt. % to about 0. 2 wt. %, based on total weight of the molten electrolyte, of at least one transition metal or at least one compound of the metal or both. The compound may be, for example, a fluoride, oxide, or carbonate. The metal can be nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, or molybdenum. The bath can be employed in a combination that includes a vessel for containing the bath and at least one non-consumable anode and at least one dimensionally stable cathode in the bath. Employing the bath of the present invention during electrolytic reduction of alumina to aluminum can improve the wetting of aluminum on a cathode by reducing or eliminating the formation of non-metallic deposits on the cathode.