Study Finer Fines in Anode Formulation (Case Study: Almahdi Hormozal Aluminium Smelter)

Abstract

To facilitate continuous improvement and permit amperage increases in the pot room, efforts have been focused on anode formulation at ALUMINIUM ALMAHDI. The impact of finer fines on baked anode properties was considered and trials to measure this impact were developed. Green mill operation and process parameters were adjusted to produce finer fines as measured by Blaine Number—the R&D Carbon method used to infer the “fineness” of carbon dust. Analyses were conducted on green and baked anode properties. Green and baked apparent density and air permeability improved with high statistical correlation. Electrical resistivity and flexural strength required increased pitch content to demonstrate improvement. No crack rate increase was observed and the bake loss was very low. Finer fines are also a potential control for baked anode properties as calcined coke.