Yunlv Group: China's ultra-large aluminum electrolytic tank technology development and application to a new level

The aluminum aluminum CHYG-30 extra large aluminum electrolytic cell adopts new technologies, new materials and new processes in the design, roasting start-up, process control and other aspects, creating a series of high-efficiency, energy-saving and environment-friendly 200,000 tons electrolytic aluminum production in China. The technology of China's aluminum industry has taken a new step.

Dong Shiyi, deputy general manager of Yunnan Aluminum Co., Ltd. introduced that the development of aluminum electrolysis technology in the world today is mainly reflected in the continuously increasing production capacity of electrolyzers. The development of China’s aluminum industry started relatively late. In the 1970s, the company used a 20-kiloampere electrolyzer, which could only produce more than 100 kilograms of aluminum per day. However, the electricity consumption was large, and 17,000 kWh was needed per ton of aluminum. Pollution is also more serious. At the same time, foreign countries have imposed strict technical blockades on 300-kiloampere electrolyzers, and they are neither allowed to visit the Chinese nor transfer technology.

In order to break the monopoly of foreign technology, in 2000, Yunnan Aluminum Co., Ltd. and Guiyang Aluminum Magnesium Design and Research Institute began research and development of high-quality, low-cost, low-consumption, and low-pollution electrolytic cells. Based on the 280-kilo-ampere large-scale aluminum electrolyzer technology developed in China, the Yunalu Phase II technical reform project has eliminated the design of the 60-kiloh self-baking cell and converted it to 300-kiloampere. In June 2005, experts from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association organized a technical appraisal of the “Yunnan CHYG-30 prebaked aluminum cell system technology development and application” project. It was unanimously held that the integrated technology of this electrolytic cell has reached international standards. The level, for example, its annual production capacity has increased from 25 kilotons to 200 kilotons; the power consumption has been greatly reduced, saving 200 million kWh per year, and is calculated at an average cost of 0.37 yuan per kWh, saving about 7,000 yuan. The reporter saw in the factory that the 248 troughs were in normal operation. There was neither smell nor dust, and the factory floor was very clean. Dong Shiyi said that in the past, alumina and fluoride had dust, and now it was recovered through appropriate technologies and the recovery rate reached 98%. The project won the first prize of scientific and technological progress in Yunnan Province with its many advantages.

The industry believes that the CHYG-30 electrolytic cell has been put into production since April 2004. The equipment is operating normally. The technical parameters of the production process are stable. The slot temperature, voltage, and effect control effects are good, and the current efficiency is as high as over 94%. “If domestic large-scale aluminum plants that are under construction and reformed at an annual output of 200,000 tons or more are promoted, they will save a lot of capital and energy for national enterprises, reduce production costs and pollutant emissions, and can also increase China’s aluminum industry internationally. The competitiveness of the company, said Dong Shiyi.