Expanding the Application Scope of Fine Dust from Petroleum Coke Calcining Furnaces in Aluminum Production

Abstract

This paper discusses the formation and recycling of finely dispersed carbon dust that is captured by electric filters in petroleum coke calcination kilns. The paper analyzes the physical and chemical properties of such dust; it is a fine powder with a particle size of 60 μm and a density of 1.98 g/cm3; the ash content of the samples in this research was 0.97% on average, and the volatile yield was 1.45%. This waste could be of use in a variety of industries as a fuel; it could also be used as a reductant once pelletized. The paper proposes a pelletizing method using various binders: liquid glass, sodium lignosulfonate, carboxymethyl cellulose, cement, and dust produced by cleaning anode gases of electrolysis units. The method involves mixing carbon dust with the required amount of the binder and adding water to reach the required moisture content in the charge. The resulting charge is then to be pressed in a mold at up to 250 MPa. The research team studied how each of the binders affected the drop strength of the resulting pellets; the best results were obtained with a binder content of 5% to 6%; the drop resistance was best for liquid glass (85.0%), anode gas cleaning dust (75%), sodium lignosulfonate (94%), carboxymethyl cellulose (86%), and cement (93%).