Reflections on the carbon consumption of prebaked anodes

Abstract

A theory was developed to explain the electrochemical oxidation of carbon. Dealing first with two procedures used for the determination of carbon consumption and the height of the spent anode, some ideas were then presented on how the carbon anode is consumed in the electrolytic cell and what kind of basic electrochemical mechanism is assumed at its bottom surface. Bath material management, which plays an important role and has a great impact on anode consumption, was also briefly discussed.