Bio-pitch as a binder in carbon anodes for aluminum production: Bio-pitch properties and its interaction with coke particles. (1st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hussein, Asem; Lu, Ying; Mollaabbasi, Roozbeh; Tessier, Jayson; Alamdari, Houshang
• Is Part Of: Fuel. Volume 275(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-01
• Subjects: Aluminum production -- Carbon anode -- Binder -- Coal-tar-pitch -- Bio-pitch; Fuel -- Periodicals; Coal -- Periodicals; Coal; Fuel; Periodicals; 662.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117875
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-2361

Abstract

Abstract: Aluminium industry depends today on only the coal-tar-pitch as a binder to produce carbon anodes. However, it becomes difficult to secure a high-quality binder for the future needs of the aluminum industry as coal-tar-pitch is a non-renewable fossil binder. In this work bio-pitch, as a renewable and environmentally friendly binder, was produced by the heat treatment of a bio-oil. The range of heat treatment temperature and heating rate was selected to achieve the desired physical properties of the produced bio-pitch. This bio-pitch showed a softening point and a viscosity similar to that of the coal-tar-pitch. In addition, it was able to cover and spread over the coke particles and further, penetrate into their open pores. According to the results of this work, the bio-pitch is a promising candidate to replace the coal-tar-pitch to produce a homogenous and mechanically stable green carbon anode.