Towards decreasing energy consumption of aluminum reduction by using anodes with holes and channels

Abstract

In aluminum electrolysis the energy power consumption can be decreased by lowering the cell voltage and by increasing the current efficiency. By using anodes with holes and channels, the discharge distance for the anode gas from the molten bath can be reduced. For the anode gas, the period of staying in the bath is decreased and the penetrated depth in the bath will decrease. By such measures the current efficiency of the cell can be increased and the cell voltage can be decreased. In the Qingtongxia smelter, 350 kA aluminum reduction cells are operating with anodes having holes and channels. Copyright © 2014 by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.