Abstract
In 2022, Reduction Line 3 at Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL) underwent a process excursion that resulted in multiple cells having to be cut out. As part of the recovery process, a cell restart methodology for the AP30 technology cells was developed based on a survey of the different practices both within Rio Tinto Aluminum and at other smelters. Subsequent trials of restarting several cells in RL3 allowed for the development and refinement of the optimal method for cathode preparation, inspection, preheat, and stable early-life operation. Out of the 24 cells selected for possible restart, 19 cells were started successfully, 4 cells were scrapped during inspection, and only one cell had to be cut out prematurely. The oldest cell started was 1489 days. The RL3 restart project has been a great example of effective collaboration, resulting in a successful outcome for the BSL reduction, reconstruction, and technical teams.
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References
Corby C, Zhang H, Lewis M and Roberts J (2019) Modernisation of Sumitomo S170 Cells at Boyne Smelters Limited. Light Metals 2019. pp. 543–552.
Tabereaux AT (2010) Loss in cathode life resulting from the shutdown and restart of potlines at aluminium smelters. Light Metals 2010, pp. 1039–1044.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the many people involved with this project, including Raul Rojas, Jack Edwards and Jamie Lingard from the RL3 recovery team, Hao Zhang and Amarjeet Kherha from T&TS, Troy Martin and Luke Mansfield from Tomago Aluminium and the vital support of BSL management to successfully carry out the restart of these cells in RL3.
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© 2024 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
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Whitfield, D., Ure, M., Jena, R., Andrews, E., Ghatnatti, S. (2024). Restart of AP30 Cells at Boyne Smelters. In: Wagstaff, S. (eds) Light Metals 2024. TMS 2024. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50308-5_69
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50308-5_69
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