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Understanding of Co-evolution of PFC Emissions in EGA Smelter with Opportunities and Challenges to Lower the Emissions

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Light Metals 2019

Abstract

In addition to the conventional electrochemical reaction in Hall-Héroult electrolysis process where the alumina is reduced to liquid aluminum , the co-evolution of anthropogenic perfluorocarbon (PFC) gases, namely tetrafluoromethane CF4 and hexafluoroethane C2F6, was occasionally detected during the electrolysis process. In Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), along with the continuous amperage creep program, incremental increase in anode dimensions and associated reduction in cell anode-cathode distance (ACD ) to satisfy cell energy requirements, the company has focused its efforts on improving the advanced cell control algorithm which has assisted EGA technologies to operate at a high current density while maintaining low PFC emissions. As part of a continuous performance enhancement program, EGA has initiated a program to understand the temporal and spatial changes in cell conditions that cause the co-evolution of PFC emissions . The work included studies to gain insights in major events where the co-evolution of PFC emissions was detected using state of art continuous individual anode current monitoring , along with continuous monitoring of PFC emissions in reduction cells.

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Correspondence to Ali Jassim .

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© 2019 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

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Jassim, A., Akhmetov, S., Alzarooni, A.A., Whitfield, D., Welch, B. (2019). Understanding of Co-evolution of PFC Emissions in EGA Smelter with Opportunities and Challenges to Lower the Emissions. In: Chesonis, C. (eds) Light Metals 2019. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05864-7_101

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