THE CSIRO has developed a barrier coating which will save smelter operators money in reduced consumption of petroleum coke.
The researchers say the low-cost coating prevents air burn oxidation and extends the operational life of carbon anodes used in high-temperature electrolytic cells. Use of the coating was shown to produce a net reduction in carbon usage of 0.02 Kg carbon/Kg aluminium produced.
The coating covers the carbon anodes which are made are made from petroleum coke. In the extreme heat of aluminium electrolysis these anodes can oxidise spontaneously due to air burn. Air burn can spread rapidly between anodes, and necessitates more frequent interruptions to the smelting process to replace anodes.
The trials demonstrated the coated anodes don’t develop air burn, and last longer in the smelter cells as a result.
CSIRO plans to license the coating technology to smelters, and invites expressions of interest in the technology.
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