| Abstract Scope |
Aluminum is produced by electrolysis using carbon anodes and electrical energy. Carbon anodes, made from petroleum coke, pitch, and recycled carbon materials, are essential to this process. The properties of these raw materials can vary depending on the production process and their provenance. Despite this variability, the aluminum industry must constantly maintain anode quality. Strong interactions between coke and pitch, governed by their surface chemistry, are critical for optimal anode performance. The main objective of this work is to chemically modify the coke and/or pitch using a single additive and evaluate the effects on anode properties. Eight laboratory anodes were produced: two standard anodes, two with modified coke, two with modified pitch, and two with both modified coke and pitch. The results showed that all anodes containing the modified raw materials performed better than the standard anodes, demonstrating that chemical modification can enhance anode quality. |