Université Du Québec a Chicoutimi

B.d.h. Industries, Inc.

Daniel Audet

Luc Parent

The system () and the method are used for forecasting the electrical conductivity of an anode () for aluminum production before the anode () is baked. In the system (), at least one receiving coil () is coupled to an electromagnetic field emitting unit (). A sensing device () is connected to the receiving coil (), the sensing device () outputting a signal indicative of a variation of the electromagnetic field received by the receiving coil () as the crude anode (), or a portion thereof, passes inside the receiving coil (). A value indicative of the electrical conductivity of the anode () is then calculated using the signal from the sensing device () and signals previously obtained using reference anodes (). This way, the electrical conductivity of the anodes () can be forecasted before the crude anodes () are baked.

System and method to forecast the electrical conductivity of anodes for aluminum production before baking

The system and the method are used for detecting a level of liquid metal at a given location, such as a launder set between an holding furnace and a casting pit. The system comprises an emitter coil and a receiver coil in a side-by-side configuration and in close proximity of the location. In use, an AC signal is applied to the emitter coil for producing an alternating magnetic flux. At least a part of the magnetic flux passes through the location where the level of liquid metal needs to be measured and goes back into the receiver coil. The signal in the receiver coil is monitored and the data are conveyed to a control module which determines the level of liquid metal from the variation of the signal in the receiver coil. The coils of the system are advantageously provided with respective core elements having a high magnetic permeability and which are configured and disposed to channel the magnetic flux. As a result, the system is not significantly affected by the presence of steel on the frame side of the launder and is capable of determining the level of liquid metal with a high signal to noise ratio. It can also be used at other locations besides a launder.

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Chicoutimi, Canada

Daniel Audet