Banarpal: Shortage of pitch and coke, two essential raw materials required for aluminum production, for the last few days has threatened to affect production in National Aluminum Company (Nalco).
Coal tar pitch and coke are important ingredients for production of anodes in the smelter plant which are ultimately used for production of aluminum, it was learnt.
According to reports, the supply quantity of these two essential items has dropped over the last 15 days while the plant’s store doesn’t have adequate stock for a smooth run of the unit. The plant needs at least 10 tanker-loads of pitch a day. But it has come down to two to three tankers during the last fortnight. Similarly, the supply of coke has also been affected.
Meanwhile, some Nalco officials, under the condition of anonymity, have admitted that the production has been affected due to use of inferior quality anode.
According to experts, anodes are used to generate positive current while cathodes are used to generate negative current in the pot line of the plant. These two items are required to produce liquefied aluminum.
While cathodes are needed to be replaced after several years, anodes are replaced after every 72 shifts. There are 960 pots in the pot line of Nalco’s smelter plant. Of them 835 pots are in operation at present.
A large quantity of anodes is required to keep these pots functional. At least 16 anodes are used in every pot of the plant.
Explaining the intricacies of the production of anode, the experts clarified that raw anodes are manufactured in the green anode plant of the company. Later, it they are baked in the bake-oven plant like bricks and ultimately used for aluminum production.
Of late, it is alleged aluminum production of Nalco has been affected by inferior quality of anode. Shortage of pitch and coke is learnt to have affected its quality.
The production is likely to be hit in coming days, thanks to some irresponsible plant officials who are in charge of maintaining stock of raw materials, sources said.
Nalco’s general manager (O&M) D Mohapatra admitted about the prevailing shortage of coke and pitch in the plant.
Orders have been placed on the agencies concerned and the problems would hopefully be solved soon, he added. PNN
