Anthracite Carbon for Aluminum Production

It is mostly used for aluminium production. Anodes are formed in aluminium cells at alumina plants. This material is also utilized in the columns for electric reduction kilns that produce metallic silica and ferroalloys. It is supplied in the form of briquettes in bulk or big bag packaging. Composed of petroleum coke (coal tar pitch) and coal.

Aluminum smelting requires a large amount of energy to run the facility. Electricity can be generated from coal, gas or nuclear sources. But coal provides the most electricity at the lowest cost. To make aluminum from bauxite, in addition to electricity, it is necessary to use a lot of coke. For the production of the desired level calcined-anthracite it is necessary to use appropriate equipment and technological tools.

This product is a high-grade, low-ash, coal with a very high degree of purity and is ideal for the smelting process. This product is also called "calcined Petroleum Coke", or "calcined Anthracite". Made by heating coal at around 1000 degC to melt it, followed by solidification in a Rotary Kiln. After crushing and grinding it to a fine dust, the product is then sifted. Material is sifted, cleaned, and decontaminated to remove all impurities. Anthracite calcined undergoes heat treatment in order to reduce its amount of ash.

Calcined anthracite has a much lower carbon volatile matter content, moisture content, and ash content than raw anthracite products, which makes it desirable for the production of carbon electrodes in the aluminum industry. As steel consumption increases, it is anticipated that the market for anthracite calcined will grow rapidly.

Anode and Cathode in Aluminium Production. Carbon containing paste is used as a self-supporting cell or block. The composition comprises a slurry containing anthracite powder and graphite. This slurry then becomes a solid block that forms the cell lining. Anode or cathode is then placed into the electrolytic cells of the alumina plant to produce aluminum. The bodies that are fabricated undergo tests for electrical conductivity. They also test their crushing strength. The tests show that both the anode (made from low-ash, anthracite) and cathode (made from calcined late petroleum coke) are equally competitive.

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