ELECTROLYSIS POT J HOOKS NEW DESIGN:rnPOSITIVE IMPACTS ON PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENT

摘要

J hooks are crucial elements of modern aluminium smelting. Theirrntask is to support and ensure the anode rods clamping by thernanode clamps, and guide the pot tending machines extraction toolrnduring the anode changing phase. Although they appear as simplerncomponents, their performances are critical to a successfulrnproduction process. For 40 years, their design has almostrnremained unchanged, their simplicity and criticality makingrnmeasurable improvements difficult to obtain.rnTo create the new design, finite elements studies and computerrnassisted production methods have been used. The new concept'srnvalidation and its fine tuning has been performed on speciallyrndesigned test benches, taking into account normal and abnormalrnconditions of use, and also during extensive field test withrncollaborating smelters.rnBy working on the structural design, materials and shape of the Jrnhooks, it has been possible to improve their performances andrnreduce their overall impact on the environment.