| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2022 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Electrode Technology for Aluminum Production
|
| Presentation Title |
Blocked Fluewall Detection and Improved Safety for Anti-flooding Module, A New Approach for Safer Operations of Anode Baking Furnaces |
| Author(s) |
Detlef Maiwald, Frank Heinke, Sandra Besson, Diane Tremblay, Lucas Ruel, Alexandre Gagnon |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Detlef Maiwald |
| Abstract Scope |
The carbon blocks used in the process for the primary aluminum production are baked in Anode Baking Furnaces. These furnaces have two combustion zones: volatile matters contained in the green anodes are emitted and burnt in the preheating zones, and natural gas or heavy fuel oil is injected and burnt in the heating zones. The control of both combustion zones constitutes a major challenge to ensure the safety of the operations, especially when deviations in the refractory condition, process or operations occur.
In 2020 a Process Safety analysis identified two situations where the controls in place were judged insufficient to ensure the complete safety of operations: blocked flue walls and flooding situations. In 2021 Innovatherm and Rio Tinto decided to co-develop modules capable of automatically identifying those situations and raise alarms, or ultimately shut down the gas injection. The modules have been successfully implemented in Usine Grande-Baie in June 2021. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |