The SibFU scientists together with colleagues from the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology SB RAS and RUSAL conduct research to develop a unique material — autoclave carbon pitch produced by thermal dissolution of coal — processing of milled coal and an organic solvent at high temperature and pressure. It is intended to replace traditional coal tar pitch which is used in the production of electrodes.
The development of a new material is aimed at reducing the deficit of coal tar pitch, as well as improving the environmental friendliness of aluminum production.
According to Fedor Buryukin, Cand. Sc. (Chemistry) and Associate Professor of the SibFU School of Oil and Gas, demand for the coal tar pitch in the industry of the country is annually increasing: “The raw material for its production is coal tar — a byproduct of the production of metallurgical coke, while the production of such coke is reducing. The result is that the imbalance between production and demand for coal tar contributes to coal tar pitch deficit and growth of prices for it. The development of a new binding material will help to reduce tension in the market of coal tar pitch and partial replacement of binder materials import from Europe and China”.
“The raw material for its production is coal tar — a byproduct of the production of metallurgical coke, while the production of such coke is reducing. The result is that the imbalance between production and demand for coal tar contributes to coal tar pitch deficit and growth of prices for it. The development of a new binding material will help to reduce tension in the market of coal tar pitch and partial replacement of binder materials import from Europe and China”
Scientists emphasize that the developed alternative method for producing substitute for the coal tar pitch involves a significant reduction in environmental hazards. Thus, the most serious problem of the Soderberg anodes technology used today in aluminum production is the release into the atmosphere of polycyclic aromatic compounds, which are considered the most serious environmental pollutants. According to the researchers, getting the binder material based on the thermochemical processing of coal will solve this problem.
"The method is about processing mechanically activated carbon mixed with anthracene oil under relatively mild conditions. Studies have shown that at temperatures up to 400°C synthesis of carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbon does not occur. Therefore, the content of benzapyrene in such coal tar pitches is 2-3 times lower than in a traditional coal tar pitch", — said the scientific head of the project Nikolai Dovzhenko, Prof. Dr.-Ing., Director of the School of Oil and Gas of SibFU.
"The method is about processing mechanically activated carbon mixed with anthracene oil under relatively mild conditions. Studies have shown that at temperatures up to 400°C synthesis of carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbon does not occur. Therefore, the content of benzapyrene in such coal tar pitches is 2-3 times lower than in a traditional coal tar pitch"
Currently, works are carried out on creating bench-scale plant with a flowing autoclave. By the end of this year, developers are planning to hold a bigger test and release the pilot production batch next year, which will be tested on the electrolysis cells. In future, the developed technology for production of alternative binder can be implemented in enterprises of the aluminum industry in the manufacture of anodes as well as in related industries such as coal mining and coal chemistry.
The project is implemented within the framework of the Federal Target Program "Research and Development on Priority Directions of Scientific-Technological Complex of Russia for 2014-2020".
Press Office of SibFU , 25 march 2016
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