IP Library Granted Patent US 8,088,269
Granted Patent B1
US 8,088,269 · App. 12/854,612 · Granted Jan 3, 2012

System and method for measuring alumina qualities and communicating the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,088,269
App. No.
12/854,612
Granted
Jan 3, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

System and method for measuring alumina qualities and communicating the same are disclosed. In one example, a system includes an aluminum electrolysis cell, a feeder configured to supply a feed stock using a feed stream to the aluminum electrolysis cell, and a measurement device in communication with the feed stream, the measurement device adaptable to receive, release, and determine at least one attribute associated with the feed stock.

Claims (33)

1. A system comprising:

an aluminum electrolysis cell;

a feeder configured to supply a feed stock via a feed stream to the aluminum electrolysis cell; and

a measurement device in communication with the feed stream, wherein the measurement device is adapted to receive a first portion of the feed stock, wherein the measurement device releases a second portion of the feed stock during a first time period, and wherein the measurement device is adapted to determine at least one attribute associated with the feed stock by correlating the first time period with the second portion of the feed stock.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the feed stock is released into the feed stream.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the attribute comprises at least one of weight, flow rate, concentration and particle size of the feed stock.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measurement device is adapted to communicate the attribute to a host computer via a network.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the feed stock comprises alumina.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measurement device is coupled to an exterior portion of at least one of the aluminum electrolysis cell and the feeder.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measurement device is coupled to an interior portion of at least one of the aluminum electrolysis cell and the feeder.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the measurement device comprises a funnel.

9. A method comprising:

(a) supplying a feed stock via a feed stream to an aluminum electrolysis cell;

(b) receiving a first portion of the feed stock via a measurement device;

(c) releasing a second portion of the feed stock from the measurement device over a first time period; and

(d) determining a first attribute associated with the feed stock, wherein the determining comprises correlating the first time period to a second attribute of the second portion of the feed stock.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the measurement device is in communication with the feed stream.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second portion of the feed stock is released into the feed stream.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the attribute comprises at least one of weight, particle size, flow rate and concentration of the feed stock.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

(e) communicating the attribute to a host computer via a network.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

(f) adjusting alumina feed control including at least one of feed rate of the feed stream based on the attribute.

15. A method comprising:

(a) supplying a feed stock in a feed stream to an aluminum electrolysis cell;

(b) receiving a portion of the feed stock using a measurement device;

(c) releasing the portion of the feed stock from the measurement device over a time period;

(d) determining an attribute associated with the feed stock, wherein the determining comprises correlating the time period to the attribute of the feed stock;

(e) communicating the attribute to a host computer using a network; and

(f) adjusting alumina feed rate of the feed stream based on the attribute of the feed stock.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the measurement device is in communication with the feed stream.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the portion of the feed stock is released into the feed stream.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the attribute comprises at least one of weight, particle size, flow rate and concentration of the feed stock.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2026
From: SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
To: ALCOA CANADA CO.; ALCOA USA CORP.
Reel/Frame 075481/0646 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2024
From: ALCOA USA CORP.
To: SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067380/0794 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2024
From: ALCOA USA CORP.
To: SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067380/0803 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2024
From: ALCOA USA CORP.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 067376/0263 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ALCOA USA CORP.
Reel/Frame 061558/0257 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 27, 2017
From: ALCOA USA CORP.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041521/0521 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2016
From: ALCOA INC.
To: ALCOA USA CORP.
Reel/Frame 040556/0141 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 11, 2010
From: TARCY, GARY; BATISTA, ELIEZER; WANG, XIANGWEN
To: ALCOA INC.
Reel/Frame 024824/0970 →