Regulation and Management of Anode Baking Furnace Production Cycle During Green Anode Crisis

Abstract

Manufacturing of anode in aluminium smelter includes 3 stages like green anode production, baking of green anode and rodding of baked anode. Green anodes undergo baking process in order to remove pitch volatiles, enhance its thermal and electrical conductivity, and reduce its reactivity level. Anode baking process is carried out in an open top ring-type furnace. Both from the construction and operation point of view, anode baking process is the costliest stage of anode manufacturing process. In baking furnaces, green anodes are loaded, baked and unloaded from the furnace on continuous basis. Thus, the unavailability of green anode will interrupt the baked anode production as well as lead to stoppage of Baking furnace. This paper presents and discuss the management of a crisis situation created due to the unavailability of green anodes and how, by regulating the baking furnace fire cycle duration, a possible situation of furnace stoppage was averted.