Assessing coal pitch as a binder in anode production

The influence of various factors on the quality of anodes in aluminum production is analyzed. At present, no uniform approach permits the identification of a relation between the binder quality and the subsequent transformation of the pitch-coke composite in heat treatment. Measurable quality characteristics of the anodes used in aluminum production are considered. In selecting the optimum fluidity of the pitch and monitoring its variation at different temperatures, the determination of the dynamic viscosity is the most promising approach. The dynamic viscosity, which is the inverse of the fluidity, permits more reliable identification of the suppliers whose pitch is of the required quality. Introduction of a parameter such as the molecular-mass composition of the pitch in the corresponding standard is proposed.