Cell Startup and Early Operational Improvements in Albras

In August 2021, AlbrasALBRAS needed to cut out a cellCell during an electric preheatingPreheating because of extreme variations in anodeAnode current and temperatures. This was the beginning of an analysis of the whole cellCell start-upStart-up process, from cellCell preparation until early operationEarly operation. Another motivation was the drop in pot life; more cellsCell were shut down before 1,000 days. As indicated in the literature, there are three main causes for premature failures: relining, startupStart-up, and early operationEarly operation. Our new understanding came from observing the behavior of cellsCell and having discussions with the Hydro Support team. After the shutdown of Potline 2 in 2022, this process was accelerated by the dedicated team that was responsible for restarting the potline. This paper describes how an operational procedure was developed that allows AlbrasALBRAS to reduce the average preheatingPreheating time from 80 to 60 h while achieving a high and uniform cathodeCathode temperature, increasing repeatability, and thus avoiding stresses at the beginning of cellCell life. The standardization has increased the performance of new and restarted cellsCell.