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A Case Study of Variation in Aluminum Smelting Cell Thermal State with Control Implications

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Abstract

The thermal state of an aluminum smelting cell is determined principally by the following parameters: electrolyte temperature and excess aluminum fluoride concentration. Despite the attempts to control them within a predetermined specification range, large variations are observed. The focus of the present study is to identify the causes of the variation and recommend the solutions to minimize it. The task was accomplished by monitoring an industrial operating cell. The Apollo root cause analysis technique has been used to identify the underlying causes of the variation. Smelter’s response of addition of AlF3 in order to control the variation was one of the primary causes. The AlF3 addition to the cell should be based on its mass balance requirement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    G. Tandon (Doctoral Researcher) & J.J.J. Chen (Professor)

  2. Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, Light Metals Research Centre, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    M.P. Taylor (Honorary Professor, Director)

Authors
  1. G. Tandon
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  2. M.P. Taylor
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  3. J.J.J. Chen
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Correspondence to G. Tandon.

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Manuscript submitted November 10, 2006.

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Tandon, G., Taylor, M. & Chen, J. A Case Study of Variation in Aluminum Smelting Cell Thermal State with Control Implications. Metall Mater Trans B 38, 707–712 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-007-9074-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-007-9074-x

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