The electrolysis process should adopt a superheat control concept rather than bath temperature control alone. Superheat should be controlled within the range 6-10°C to form a stable side ledge and minimise sludge formation on the cathode bottom. Good superheat control should make the pot more stable and enable smelter operation at higher efficiencies. It has been demonstrated that 9-Box control can be successfully applied to 300 KA pots and the strategy does diagnose abnormal situations early, in order that operators have time to check the pots and solve the problems. It is the authors' considered opinion that 9-Box control technology can be further extended to aluminium smelters in China. Considerable economic benefits can be achieved, provided the smelter personnel are committed to the discipline, ethos and strategy of 9-Box control.
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