Situation
Pitch binder characteristics have a significant impact on anode performance.
Problem
Pitch characteristics, as used by smelters, are related to tar characteristics,
tar distillation process, pitch storage and handling conditions.
It was observed that the pitch wetting capability and the variability in pitch
wetting behaviour were the mains causes of the anode problem in the electrolysis
process.
Solution
SyTAC is a measuring equipment developed by Alcan and commercialised by STAS,
which allows pitch wettability values (P1 and P2) to be
determined with a good precision.
Advantages
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Using good and consistent pitch wettability improves prebaked and Söderberg
anode performance in potrooms.
-
Using pitch with a good wettability (∆ P = P2 – P1 less
than
5°C according to the Alcan method) improves the prebaked
anode density and decreases the binder requirement.
-
SyTAC is fully integrated and automated.
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SyTAC is easy to use by laboratory personnel and requires very little training
to operate.
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SyTAC provides a comprehensive application software with a user‑friendly
interface to perform the test configuration, the test supervision and the test
report generation.