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ABU DHABI / WAM
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) implemented advanced technologies to improve productivity and enhance operational procedures at its operations, while maintaining the highest standards of environmental conservation.
As part of its mandate to drive an ongoing quest for innovation-based improvements, the dedicated Technology Development and Transfer department at EGA continuously forges ahead in identifying and implementing technological advancements for the benefit of the aluminium industry.
A case in point is the successful filing of an application in September 2015 to patent the development of hinged grating for easy access to the outer shell of electrolytic cells, facilitating safer inspection and measurements as well as natural cooling and temporary forced cooling during cell start-up. The innovation, developed at EGA Jebel Ali , is the brainchild of Mark Jordan, Lead Engineer – R&D, Technology Development & Transfer, Mahmood Abdulmalik, Senior Manager, Technology Engineering and Syed Fiaz Ahmed, Engineer I – R&D, Technology Development & Transfer.
The invention relates to the way in which operators and maintenance inspectors access functional elements of the potline in order to monitor certain parameters related to the operation of the cell, such as potshell outer surface temperatures or voltage drops of cathode connections. Jordan explains that, in the current arrangement, access to the intercalary space between the potshells is closed by a heavy top structure (a ‘slab’) that requires the
use of a machine or crane to be
removed.
The space between the potshell and the slab is fitted with grating for worker safety and to allow air heated by thermal contact with the potshell to move upwards, thereby cooling the potshell by natural
convection.