New Method for Representative Measurement of Anode Electrical Resistance

Electrical anode resistance is more and more recognized as a key parameter for pot operation as the carbon material itself contributes to close to 50% of the anode assembly voltage drop. Factors such as raw materials, forming and baking conditions are sources of significant variation in anode properties, including anode resistance. Anode resistance will vary within an anode and between anode batches reaching voltage differences up to several tens of millivolts. The current method for resistivity measurement is based on core sampling on limited locations of a small population of anodes and may not be representative of the anode resistance. The current study proposes a non destructive method reproducing the current distribution in service and providing immediate results. Such results could be used to improve anode resistance and help potrooms cope with the anode batches variability.