SUPPRESSION OF CYANIDE FORMATION IN HALL PROCESS POTLINING

SPENT POTLINING FROM INDUSTRIAL PRIMARY ALUMINUM PRODUCTION CELLS IS A DESIGNATED HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BECAUSE OF ITS CYANIDE CONTENT. OVER 100,000 TONS OF THIS MATERIAL ARE ANNUALLY LANDFILLED IN THE UNITED STATES. IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO AVOID THE FORMATION OF CYANIDE DURING THE OPERATION OF THE CELLS. EMEC CONSULTANTS PROPOSETO INVESTIGATE THE CONDITIONS AT WHICH CYANIDES FORM AND MIGRATE WITHIN THE CELL. IT IS HOPED THAT WAYS TO ELIMINATETHE FORMATION OF CYANIDE CAN BE IDENTIFIED. A POSSIBLE, PROPRIETARY APPROACH IS ALREADY OUTLINED IN THE PROPOSAL. THE EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF ITS FEASIBILITY IS PREPARED IN PHASE I, THEN PLANNED TO ACTUALLY BE INITIATED ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTROLYZERS IN PHASE II.