Resistance due to the presence of bubbles in an electrolytic cell with a grooved anode

Bubble resistance in an electrolytic cell using a grooved anode and anodes with plane surfaces are measured and reported. The cell was operated at var ious inclination angles of the anode and at a range of anode-cathode distan ces (ACD). The comparison shows that bubble resistance obtained for a groov ed anode is smaller than that for anodes with plane surfaces at the same op erating conditions (i.e, inclination angle, current density, and equivalent ACD). Explanations for the reduction in the bubble resistance due to the u se of a grooved anode are given. The use of grooved anodes may provide a si gnificant reduction in the overall cell voltage drop, and thus increase the energy efficiency, provided the node material is not consumed during the p rocess, causing the grooves to revert to a planar surface. The work reporte d in this paper is of particular significance to the aluminium smelting ind ustry if a non-consumable inert anode is available.