Anode Block Heating Using Resistive Elements in Contact Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for drying anode blocks used in aluminum production are inefficient due to the condensation of water vapor from gas burners, leading to prolonged drying times, as the blocks are porous and prone to water absorption, especially when stored outdoors.
Innovation Solution
The use of radiative heat from high-temperature electrical resistive elements with multiple legs, arranged in cylindrical cups, positioned in front of each contact hole on the anode block, to efficiently dry the blocks without adding water vapor, potentially combined with air blowing through the cups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If gas burners are used to heat the blocks, then the blocks can be heated, but water vapor from the gas condenses onto the block extending the drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas burner heating system with an electrical heating system that uses resistive heating elements positioned inside the contact holes. This substitution eliminates the water vapor generation problem inherent in gas combustion while providing direct, localized heating through electrical resistance, thereby reducing drying time without adding moisture to the block.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements are positioned specifically inside the contact holes where water accumulation occurs. This localized heating approach concentrates thermal energy exactly where it is needed - in the pores and contact holes - rather than heating the entire block surface. The cup-shaped structure further concentrates the heating effect within each hole, efficiently evaporating trapped water vapor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the blocks are stored outdoors, then storage flexibility is improved, but water collects in the holes through precipitation and absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional external heating methods with electrical heating elements inserted directly into the contact holes. This allows for rapid, targeted heating that can efficiently remove water absorbed during outdoor storage, enabling the blocks to be dried quickly regardless of their moisture content from precipitation or absorption.
3Quantity of substance
If pressurised air is used to remove liquid water, then liquid water can be removed, but the blocks still require extended heating to dry internal moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating function into multiple independent heating elements, each positioned in a specific contact hole. This segmentation allows simultaneous heating of multiple holes, efficiently evaporating water from different locations at the same time. The cup-shaped structure further segments the heating zone to concentrate energy within each hole's volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical heating elements provide continuous heating action that directly evaporates water vapor from the block's internal pores and contact holes. Unlike the two-stage process of air blowing followed by heating, the electrical heating system performs both liquid water removal and vapor evaporation in a continuous, unified process, significantly reducing total drying time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method significantly reduces the drying time of anode blocks from several minutes to approximately 4 minutes, achieving faster and more efficient heating and drying compared to previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the holes are caused to be heated by means of radiative heat from electrical resistive elements arranged to be used at high temperatures
Implementation Method 2
the holes are caused to be heated by means of radiative heat from electrical resistive elements
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A method for the heating of anode blocks, which anode blocks (2) are used during the production of aluminium and comprise contact holes (3) into which it is arranged that electrical contacts are to be attached. The invention is characterised in that the holes (3) are caused to be heated by means of radiative heat from electri- cal resistive elements (4, 5, 6) arranged to be used at high temperatures, in that the wire of the elements (4, 5, 6) is in the form of shanks with two or more legs, in that each one of the elements (4, 5, 6) is caused to be arranged in a cup (7, 8, 9) with an open end surface, in that one cup (7, 8, 9) for each hole (3) in the anode block (2) is caused to lie in front of the hole(3) in question. The invention relates also to an arrangement.