The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption
Carbon anodes are consumed in electrolysis cells during aluminum production. Carbon consumption in pre-bake anode cells is 400–450 kg C/t Al, considerably higher than the theoretical consumption of 334 kg C/t Al. This excess carbon consumption is partly due to the anode manufacturing processes. Net...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2016-05-01
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| Series: | Metals |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/6/6/128 |
| _version_ | 1811284152038719488 |
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| author | Khalil Khaji Mohammed Al Qassemi |
| author_facet | Khalil Khaji Mohammed Al Qassemi |
| author_sort | Khalil Khaji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Carbon anodes are consumed in electrolysis cells during aluminum production. Carbon consumption in pre-bake anode cells is 400–450 kg C/t Al, considerably higher than the theoretical consumption of 334 kg C/t Al. This excess carbon consumption is partly due to the anode manufacturing processes. Net carbon consumption over the last three years at Emirates Aluminium (EMAL, also known as Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) Al Taweelah) was analyzed with respect to anode manufacturing processes/parameters. The analysis indicates a relationship between net carbon consumption and many manufacturing processes, including anode desulfurization during anode baking. Anode desulfurization appears to increase the reaction surface area, thereby helping the Boudouard reaction between carbon and carbon dioxide in the electrolysis zone, as well as reducing the presence of sulfur which could inhibit this reaction. This paper presents correlations noted between anode manufacturing parameters and baked anode properties, and their impact on the net carbon consumption in electrolytic pots. Anode reactivities affect the carbon consumption in the pots during the electrolysis of alumina. Pitch content in anodes, impurities in anodes, and anode desulfurization during baking were studied to find their influence on anode reactivities. The understanding gained through this analysis helped reduce net carbon consumption by adjusting manufacturing processes. For an aluminum smelter producing one million tonnes of aluminum per year, the annual savings could be as much as US $0.45 million for every kg reduction in net carbon consumption. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T02:25:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f8d16c1934874bb4a01ad678651f5075 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-4701 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T02:25:16Z |
| publishDate | 2016-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Metals |
| spelling | doaj.art-f8d16c1934874bb4a01ad678651f50752022-12-22T03:06:49ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012016-05-016612810.3390/met6060128met6060128The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon ConsumptionKhalil Khaji0Mohammed Al Qassemi1Process Control & Improvement, Carbon and Port, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Al Taweelah, UAEProcess Control & Improvement, Carbon and Port, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Al Taweelah, UAECarbon anodes are consumed in electrolysis cells during aluminum production. Carbon consumption in pre-bake anode cells is 400–450 kg C/t Al, considerably higher than the theoretical consumption of 334 kg C/t Al. This excess carbon consumption is partly due to the anode manufacturing processes. Net carbon consumption over the last three years at Emirates Aluminium (EMAL, also known as Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) Al Taweelah) was analyzed with respect to anode manufacturing processes/parameters. The analysis indicates a relationship between net carbon consumption and many manufacturing processes, including anode desulfurization during anode baking. Anode desulfurization appears to increase the reaction surface area, thereby helping the Boudouard reaction between carbon and carbon dioxide in the electrolysis zone, as well as reducing the presence of sulfur which could inhibit this reaction. This paper presents correlations noted between anode manufacturing parameters and baked anode properties, and their impact on the net carbon consumption in electrolytic pots. Anode reactivities affect the carbon consumption in the pots during the electrolysis of alumina. Pitch content in anodes, impurities in anodes, and anode desulfurization during baking were studied to find their influence on anode reactivities. The understanding gained through this analysis helped reduce net carbon consumption by adjusting manufacturing processes. For an aluminum smelter producing one million tonnes of aluminum per year, the annual savings could be as much as US $0.45 million for every kg reduction in net carbon consumption.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/6/6/128carbon anodepitch additionanode desulfurizationnet carbon consumption |
| spellingShingle | Khalil Khaji Mohammed Al Qassemi The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption Metals carbon anode pitch addition anode desulfurization net carbon consumption |
| title | The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption |
| title_full | The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption |
| title_short | The Role of Anode Manufacturing Processes in Net Carbon Consumption |
| title_sort | role of anode manufacturing processes in net carbon consumption |
| topic | carbon anode pitch addition anode desulfurization net carbon consumption |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/6/6/128 |
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