Update on the development of d18 cell technology at dubal

Abstract

Dubai Aluminium commenced operation in 1979 with 3 potlines, each with 120 D18 technology cells. While more advanced cell technologies have since been developed and implemented at Dubal, the original D18 cell technology has continued to be updated and improved so that it remains a vital contribution to the overall smelter production. This paper updates the progress1 of the original D18 cell technology at Dubal over the past few years, and its contribution towards the plant total hot metal output of >1 million tonnes per year. The four D18 potlines have been combined into two potline circuits, and additional busbars were added to all cells to reduce the external voltage drop and specific energy consumption. The original centre-break feeding design has gradually been replaced with a pseudo-point feeding design, and the anode size has been gradually increased so that it is now the largest for this technology. Other changes such as improved noise control logic, review of the anode set adder, and various changes to the alumina feed logic have enabled the D18 cell technology to reach the target amperage of 200kA and its subsequent stabilisation and optimisation at this milestone.