Thanks to numerous advantages such as its infinite ability to be recycled, aluminum is one of the most commonly used raw materials worldwide. However, the production of pure aluminum is very complex, and because of the harmful emissions, is subject to various environmental protection guidelines.
In order to be successful in this field, the use of the most modern measurement technology is indispensable.
The production of aluminum by electrolytic smelting is an extremely energy-intensive process which causes an accordingly high level of emissions:
In addition to dust and fluoride (also fluoride compounds), these include SO2 and CO, which occur due to carbon electrode consumption. ll these parameters must be regularly monitored, analyzed and, if necessary, optimized. This is the only way to adhere to the stringent environmental stipulations and to ensure the efficiency of the smelting furnace.
The portable emission measuring instrument testo 350 is the ideal tool for professional flue gas analysis. It allows the optimum operation of the anode furnace, the monitoring of the sorption reactor and the control of relevant limit values. The following parameters are measured on anode furnaces: O2, CO2, CO and SO2.
The testo 350 has six slots. There is the possibility of freely placing the gas sensors for CO, SO2, CO2IR, COlow, NO, NOlow, NO2 and H2S. The O2 sensor has a fixed position at slot four. That allows this most important measurement parameter to be permanently recorded. This is significant because at low O2 values, soot formation would influence the quality of the aluminum. All gas sensors can be easily exchanged by the user, as can other wearing parts.
The high dust component in the exhaust gas make the use of industrial probes with pre-filters necessary. They protect the measurement technology from contamination. High CO concentrations which could damage other measuring instruments, are measurable with the dilution option of the testo 350. Depending on the duration of measurement and the moisture content of the fuel (e.g. natural gas in aluminum production), the testo 350 offers the option of gas preparation. This minimizes the influence of high humidity in the exhaust gas on the measurement results.