The Investigation of the Movements and Temperatures in the Cathode of an Aluminum Reduction Furnace

Abstract

Temperature and movements occurring in the cathode of a reduction furnace were explored by constructing and operating for short periods a number of 10 KA cells or “one-bar furnaces”. Each furnace consisted essentially of a slice across a high amperage industrial furnace and thus contained one cathode bar together with its carbon block (or blocks) and its attendant rammed-carbon side-lining, brickwork, etc. The steel box was specially designed to permit the conditions obtained in a large furnace to be simulated, and also to enable the restraints on expansion to be varied experimentally. Temperatures and outward movements of cathode block and box sections, and arching of the cathode bar, were measured during preheating, starting, and operation.