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This has been a busy year for the Light Metals Research Centre at Auckland. We are working on cathode performance testing, smelting alumina phase analysis and next generation anode materials for valued customers in the aluminium industry.
Work in aluminium and magnesium alloys is progressing for a major automotive company and is increasingly dependent on surface science expertise which the Centre possesses. In addition to this the Centre is placing substantial resources into solving a serious industry problem involving smelting cell-wall heat exchange following widespread interest in this issue from smelters. This project is expected to yield a significant breakthrough in smelter operation.
A number of projects are just commencing in addition to those above: silicon carbide performance in sidewalls will be studied so that the performance of the material can be better understood and optimised by the manufacturer concerned.
Technical Services are being provided to a leading aluminium producer and smelter energy management is being researched with another smelting company. The emissions from a smelter as a function of alumina properties is the subject of another alumina-related project, and one which is increasingly important as amperage, and alumina production and properties are pushed to their limits.
Five training courses in smelting technology are currently underway or in preparation, underpinning the improvement in understanding of smelting in Australia, India, China, and North America (a TMS sponsored course). A course in alumina behaviour and quality considerations is being run at TMS next March involving alumina producers as well as smelting companies. A number of project proposals are also under consideration, with the trend being towards solving difficult industry-wide issues in the areas of alumina, Al/Mg alloy application, smelter process stability and next generation cathode design.
Mark Taylor
Director
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