Improving anode baked density and air permeability through process optimization and coke blending

Abstract

Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) has continuously increased aluminium production through improved cell technology and optimizing cell performance at higher amperage. High baked anode density and low air permeability are two key anode characteristics that impact anode performance in the reduction cell. Increasing baked anode density, for instance, will allow a plant to either increase anode shift life or increase potline amperage, without changing anode shift life. To assist DUBAL in its strategic journey of increasing amperage, the DUBAL Carbon Plant management team defined and implemented a 3-year strategic roadmap to improve baked anode density and anode air permeability through process optimization and raw material blending. In this paper, we present the steps taken and the results achieved through implementing this roadmap.