Experiences on the Anode Effect Reduction at Alcoa Pocos De Caldas

摘要

Many Aluminum Smelters are being forced to adapt their operations to cope with environment limits. The anode effect plays an important role in fluoride and particulate emissions, especially for plants which operate with S0derberg cells, with no point feeders in place.Alcoa Aluminum located at Pocos de Caldas, Brazil, has been achieving a substantial improvement on anode effect rate in the VSS electrolyte cells based on some initiatives in feed and liquid level control and the use of quality tools to reach an In Control and Capable process.This paper will present some experiences in an attempt to reduce the anode effect rate through a systemic overview, understanding the anode effect mechanisms and defining and implementing new procedures to minimize it.