Utilization of waste heat for pre-heating of anodes
Peer reviewed, Journal article
Accepted version
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Date
2020Metadata
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- Publikasjoner fra CRIStin - SINTEF AS [5648]
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Abstract
Carbon anodes are replaced on a regular basis in Hall–Héroult cells as they are consumed by electrochemical reactions. Upon insertion of new anodes, bath will freeze locally as a result of low bath superheat and comparatively low anode temperature, creating an insulating layer on the anode surface, thereby delaying further production. In the current work the potential for pre-heating anodes directly utilizing waste heat from off-gas and spent anode butts is investigated using a numerical model realized in COMSOL and industrial measurements at the Alcoa Mosjøen smelter. Anode core temperatures over 150 ∘ C and surface temperatures over 250 ∘ C were found when using butts as a direct heat source. Frozen bath samples from both pre-heated and regular anodes were collected and analysed using computer tomography (CT) in order to assess how various heating strategies influences frozen bath morphology.
Description
This is the accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at:
Grimstad M., Elstad K.R., Solheim A., Einarsrud K.E. (2020) Utilization of Waste Heat for Pre-heating of Anodes. In: Tomsett A. (eds) Light Metals 2020. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36408-3_108