Production of Anodes for Aluminum-Air Power Cells Directly from Hall Cell Metal

摘要

The feasibility of producing aluminum anode plates for an aluminum-air power cell directly from primary aluminum as produced in Hall cells was examined, and costs for these anode plates were estimated. A critical assumption for this part of the study was that aluminum anode plates of alloy composition, 0.4 to 0.8% Mn, 0.04% Fe, and 0.04% Ga, with minor impurities normally occurring in 5A and 6A grade primary aluminum, would be satisfactory for power cell application. It is feasible to produce the above alloy in Hall cells and to go directly to 10- to 12-mm-thick anode slabs using a continuousy moving mold caster such as the Scal Jumbo. An aluminum alloy containing 0.4 to 0.8% Mn, 0.04% Fe, and 0.04% Ga can be produced in an aluminum plant specializing in high-purity metal production. The anodes produced by the processes described would cost 15 cents/lb over 3A grade molten aluminum costs (3.5 cents/lb for premium purity. 2.4 cents/lb for alloying agents, and 9.0 cents/lb for casting and shearing). Anodes could be produced with 0.03% Fe using Hall cell metal and continuous casting by the use of specially prepared aluminas, such as some chemical grade products. This would add another 10 to 15 cents/lb to the cost, over the 15 cents/lb described above. It is not feasible to produce lower iron anodes directly from Hall cell metal. (ERA citation 06:028755)