| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Reduction Technology
|
| Presentation Title |
A Successful 72-hour Sleeping Mode Operation on AP40 Pots in Kitimat Smelter: A Case Study. |
| Author(s) |
Pradeep kumar varma kalidindi, Kara Chisholm, Jennifer Petten , Pierre-luc Voyer, Patrice Desrosiers |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Kara Chisholm |
| Abstract Scope |
Kitimat’s Aluminum Smelter uses AP40 Technology with eight sections of 48 pots in a single pot line configuration with a unique asymmetric GTC configuration requiring a unique “siphon” alumina conveying pathway. In this type of configuration, continuity in alumina supply can be interruption can disrupt a smelter operating at full capacity over a long period. The 48-pot section experienced a hyper-dense phase system failure on November 9, 2022, causing 48 pots to lose alumina supply abruptly. Initially, the maintenance diagnosis assumed no foreseeable recovery within 72 hours. A contingency plan was activated, keeping the pots in sleeping mode for a few days by lowering the anode beam such that no electrolysis occurs. Meanwhile, limited information exists on alumina disruption and the use of the sleeping mode on a full section. This paper summarizes the successful process steps in Kitimat that prevented pot failure by employing the sleeping mode. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, |