About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Reduction Technology
|
| Presentation Title |
Smelter Power Modulation and Pot Heat Balance for High Amperage Reduction Cells |
| Author(s) |
Nicholas B. Depree, Yashuang Gao |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Nicholas B. Depree |
| Abstract Scope |
The EnPot system was developed over many years of research and plant trials at the Light Metals Research Centre. It uses patented Shell Heat Exchangers, the airflow through which can be changed to insulate or cool the pot shell, allowing pot heat balance to match varying input conditions. This means the power supply to the smelter can be flexible by more than +/-20%. This has great benefits for stability of power grids which are rapidly changing around the world, and by supplying this demand side response, create value for the smelter, or also allow increased production and capacity creep. This paper shows a recent application of the technology on large 440kA pots, with a detailed investigation into pot dynamics and control, heat balance and resulting temperatures. The effect of a large sudden change in input power and the measured responses inform how potlines can be best modulated in future. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |