USE OF STATISTICAL RESEARCH METHODS TO ANALYZE THE OPERATION OF ALUMINUM ELECTROLYZERS

摘要

The results of mathematical statistics on aluminum electrolyzers [1-5] have been used to make practical recommendations on improving technico-economic indices of the electrolysis process and on increasing the service life of electrolyzers with no additional capital investments. The methods of conducting this analysis and - to a high degree - the practical conclusions drawn by the authors of these works have drawn objections from specialists at the aluminum plant. First, let us consider articles [1-3] where authors are analyzing the connection between the technological parameters and the technico-economic indices for the electrolysis process. Using the conclusions drawn on the statistical relationships no consideration was given to selecting the most reliable data, corresponding to the operating conditions for the equipment and the planned flowsheet. Using the conclusions of the relationship it is impossible to calculate the influence of the following factors on the process technology and indices; this is even true for such strong effects as the extent of the limitations in the electrolysis series in providing electric power, the quality of the technological rules drawn up, the presence of disruptions in raw material supply, and the inadequate training of the service personnel. All these factors have no formal effect on initial data introduced to the calculation; they can have an opposite sign and be mutually exclusive when averaged. However, by not considering them, it is difficult to obtain reliable relationships.