Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells
This review examines the degradation of refractory materials in aluminum reduction cells, focusing specifically on contamination caused by the cryolite-based bath. Aluminosilicate refractories, particularly Ordinary Refractory Bricks, play a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity and the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Metals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/3/278 |
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| author | Mohamed Hassen Ben Salem Gervais Soucy Daniel Marceau Antoine Godefroy Sébastien Charest |
| author_facet | Mohamed Hassen Ben Salem Gervais Soucy Daniel Marceau Antoine Godefroy Sébastien Charest |
| author_sort | Mohamed Hassen Ben Salem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review examines the degradation of refractory materials in aluminum reduction cells, focusing specifically on contamination caused by the cryolite-based bath. Aluminosilicate refractories, particularly Ordinary Refractory Bricks, play a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity and thermal balance of these cells under demanding operational conditions. The interaction between the molten bath and refractory linings leads to chemical reactions and mineralogical changes that modify the mechanical and thermal properties of the material over time. The study integrates findings from industrial autopsies, laboratory experiments, and a comprehensive review of the existing literature to identify and analyze the mechanisms of degradation. By analyzing the findings obtained from these methodologies, this review explores how cryolitic infiltration triggers transformations that compromise performance and reduce the lifespan of refractory linings. Covering a broad temperature range (665–960 °C), the study addresses key challenges in understanding bath-induced contamination and provides insights into how to improve the durability and efficiency of refractory materials in aluminum production. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4fa4a57f4b804386aa5a8dc241790a45 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4701 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Metals |
| spelling | doaj-art-4fa4a57f4b804386aa5a8dc241790a452025-08-20T03:43:37ZengMDPI AGMetals2075-47012025-03-0115327810.3390/met15030278Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction CellsMohamed Hassen Ben Salem0Gervais Soucy1Daniel Marceau2Antoine Godefroy3Sébastien Charest4Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, CanadaDepartment of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, CanadaDepartment of Applied Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC G7H 2B1, CanadaAluminerie Alouette Inc., Sept-Îles, QC G4R 5M9, CanadaAluminerie Alouette Inc., Sept-Îles, QC G4R 5M9, CanadaThis review examines the degradation of refractory materials in aluminum reduction cells, focusing specifically on contamination caused by the cryolite-based bath. Aluminosilicate refractories, particularly Ordinary Refractory Bricks, play a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity and thermal balance of these cells under demanding operational conditions. The interaction between the molten bath and refractory linings leads to chemical reactions and mineralogical changes that modify the mechanical and thermal properties of the material over time. The study integrates findings from industrial autopsies, laboratory experiments, and a comprehensive review of the existing literature to identify and analyze the mechanisms of degradation. By analyzing the findings obtained from these methodologies, this review explores how cryolitic infiltration triggers transformations that compromise performance and reduce the lifespan of refractory linings. Covering a broad temperature range (665–960 °C), the study addresses key challenges in understanding bath-induced contamination and provides insights into how to improve the durability and efficiency of refractory materials in aluminum production.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/3/278refractory materialscryolitic bath contaminationaluminum reduction cellsmineralogical transformationsthermal balance |
| spellingShingle | Mohamed Hassen Ben Salem Gervais Soucy Daniel Marceau Antoine Godefroy Sébastien Charest Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells Metals refractory materials cryolitic bath contamination aluminum reduction cells mineralogical transformations thermal balance |
| title | Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells |
| title_full | Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells |
| title_fullStr | Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells |
| title_short | Review of the Properties and Degradation Mechanisms of Refractories in Aluminum Reduction Cells |
| title_sort | review of the properties and degradation mechanisms of refractories in aluminum reduction cells |
| topic | refractory materials cryolitic bath contamination aluminum reduction cells mineralogical transformations thermal balance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/15/3/278 |
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