Major Reconstruction of Central Casing of Open Top Baking Furnace with a View to Increase Its Lifespan and Reduce the Total Costs Comparing to Full Reconstruction

Abstract

Aluminium Company of Greece operates with success its anode baking furnace since its start-up more than five decades ago. Thermal and mechanical stresses created by the baking process however affected the integrity of the concrete casing in the central part. Distortions, deformations and cracks were indeed visible in comparison to the outside part of the casing. This paper goes through the different phases undertaken by Aluminium Company of Greece in order to successfully develop and safely realize the replacement of the casing walls in the central passage as well as the anode conveyor supporting structure while limiting costs and impacts on production and anode inventory. The article details the technical challenges and innovative solutions as well as the project and operation organization put in place in order to realize the work without any safety incident and in a strict schedule of ninety days.