CONTROLLING ELECTRODE CURRENT DENSITY OF AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL

Apparatuses and methods for controlling electrode current density of an electrolytic cell during the electrolytic production of a metal, such as aluminum or aluminium, are disclosed. The cell has anodes and cathode plates vertically aligned and arranged in alternating rows. Each electrode defines a connecting region for connecting the electrode to the cell, a middle region, and an ACO (Anode-Cathode Overlap) region extending from the middle region for overlapping adjacent electrodes(s). The ratio of the ACO region's surface area to the middle region's surface area is superior to one. Alternatively, an average cross-sectional ACO region to the middle and connecting regions, is superior than one, preferably superior than 2. The present technology allows maximizing current density in the ACO region. Increasing these ratios has less impact on the environment by reducing heat generation and energy consumption, making the metal production eco-friendly, in particular when used with inert or oxygen-evolving electrodes.