Some Words About Service Life and the Main Reasons for Shutdowns

3 Some Words About Service Life and the Main Reasons for Shutdowns 

The modem reduction cell is a rather costly high-temperature device. The cost of reduction cell repairs has a sufficient effect on the production cost of A1 and smelter operation. Another reason for the special attention plant managers give to the service life of the cells is that sudden shutdowns means unreceived A1 and problems with operation. 

There are many ways to record the data on service life and sudden shutdowns, some of which are very sophisticated. Weibull distribution analysis of failures is well accepted on smelters [10]. Probably the most convenient record on any smelter is the record of the service life and the plotting of the number of pots against age (Fig. 2.14). Another record may be the percentage of sudden shutdowns. If there are problems with the service life, such maxima may reveal the specific reasons for the failure. 

As of this writing, a service life within 2,100-2,500 days is considered normal. There are many reasons for reduction cell shutdowns, and it usually is very difficult to distinguish only one reason. Professor H. 0ye [10] has listed the following factors as influence the service life  

2 Refractories and Carbon Cathode Materials for Aluminium Reduction Cells 

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