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Method for processing aluminum spent potliner in a graphite electrode arc furnace

Patent ·
OSTI ID:896223
A method of processing spent aluminum pot liner containing carbon, cyanide compositions, fluorides and inorganic oxides. The spend aluminum pot liner is crushed, iron oxide is added to form an agglomerated material. The agglomerated material is melted in an electric arc furnace having the electrodes submerged in the molten material to provide a reducing environment during the furnace operation. In the reducing environment, pot liner is oxidized while the iron oxides are reduced to produce iron and a slag substantially free of cyanide compositions and fluorides. An off-gas including carbon oxides and fluorine is treated in an air pollution control system with an afterburner and a scrubber to produce NaF, water and a gas vented to the atmosphere free of cyanide compositions, fluorine, and CO.
Research Organization:
Albany Research Center (ARC), Albany, OR
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE - Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
Assignee:
U.S. Patent Office, Washington, DC; United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy, Washington, DC (US)
Patent Number(s):
DOE/ARC-2000-009
Application Number:
U.S. Patent 6,498,282 B1
OSTI ID:
896223
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English