Forty Years of Trondheim International Course on Process Metallurgy of Aluminium

摘要

Trondheim aluminium course, which has been organized from the start by Professor Harald 0ye, took place for the first time in 1981 when it was given by Warren Haupin to participants from Norway. The success of this course led to the organization of an international course in 1982, which was given by several international experts to participants from 14 countries. Since then the course took place every year except in 2015, which was a difficult. time for the aluminium industry and in 2020 due to the pandemic travel restrictions. 2933 participants from 58 countries have attended the course in 40 years. Participants were from aluminium smelters, suppliers to the smelters, universities and research institutions. Experienced lecturers from many diiferent countries and lively interaction with participants, including group discussions on smelter problems, have contributed to the success of the course. Lectures presented basics and fundamentals of aluminium electrolysis, practical knowledge of potline operation and control as well as a review of technological progress and innovations in aluminium reduction technology. In the last few years, an optional l~day visit to Hydro's Sunndal Smelter at the end of the course enhanced the learning experience. The course has played an important role in connecting research to practice and in putting the industrial production on scientific basis through attendees that carried this knowledge to their smelters. This paper reviews the most important subjects covered in the course during the last 40 years.