Method of cleaning filter bags in a system for effluent gas recycling and recovery from electrolytic cells for production of aluminum from aluminum chloride

摘要

A method is provided for the controlled cleaning of aluminum chloride contaminated filtering means used in a system for recovery of gaseous effluents formed in the production of aluminum from aluminum chloride. The method includes transferring filtering units from the system to a cleaning vessel, placing them inside the vessel and sealing the vessel from the environment. Water is flowed into the lower portions of the vessel to immerse the units to cause the aluminum chloride to react with the water, giving off gaseous and liquid products of reaction. Gaseous materials are exhausted from the upper portion of the vessel to a fugitive gas system and the liquid products are discharged from a separate exhaust means. Filtering materials are then stripped from the units to be disposed of without polluting the environment.P P An apparatus is also provided for carrying out the method of the present invention.