A comprehensive efficiency analysis of the energy consumption is carried out for two types of aluminum electrolyzers using graphitized bottom blocks available from the Ukrainian Graphite JSC. The use of bottom blocks high in graphite (50 and 70%) leads to economic consumption of electric power, increased output, and extended service life of the electrolyzers.
Results of a one-year follow-up inspection of two groups of aluminum electrolyzers with variously designed cathode unit refractory linings are reported.Here we report on the results of an inspection of the lining and heat insulation of two groups of electrolyzers in service at the Volgograd Aluminum Smelting Plant. The electrolyzers inspected were of the same type and the same age, and were serviced under the same operating and maintenance conditions. Likewise, carbon-based lining materials were of the same type, as well as the conditions for installation, for therun-in heating regime, and for putting into operation. However, the two groups differed in the design of the electrolyzer base plate. One group of electrolyzers (control electrolyzers) had a base plate made up from domestic chamotte and diatomite materials. In the other group (test electrolyzers), the base plate was fabricated using calcium silicate and a dry barrier mix (DBM) purchased from a foreign manufacturer. A design concept for the test electrolyzers was that, in the initial operation stage, their thermal operating parameters should be similar to those of the control electrolyzers.To control the thermal regime of the cathode unit, thermocouples were inserted in the base plate of the test electrolyzers as shown schematically in Fig. 1.Temperature profiles over the outer surface of the cathode casings of test electrolyzers and control electrolyzers are shown in Fig. 2; the measurements were made within a period of two weeks after start-up. The results presented were averaged over all sections and all electrolyzers. In the early stage of inspection, maximum temperatures for the bottom and the lateral areas of the base plate were in good agreement with the calculated values.Over the period when measurements were made, the temperature regime of the upper zone of the cathode casing was not yet quite stable. Still, the outer surface temperature was in good agreement with the temperature measured inside the base plate (Fig. 3).
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