Patent ID: 7594952
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: A62D,B09B,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a spent potliner after use in an aluminum smelting process for the production of non-toxic mineral products, the method comprising crushing and classifying the spent potliner, placing the classified and crushed spent potliner in a furnace, adding no more than air to the furnace, heating the spent potliner in the furnace to a temperature greater than 450° C. to oxidize the spent potliner and less than a temperature at which fluorides enter the gaseous phase to minimize fluoride volitization, mixing the hot product from the furnace with water at a substantially lower temperature to produce reaction gases and residue, destroying flammable gases in the reaction gases by burning, and mixing the residue with water in a well ventilated area for a period of weeks to cure and further detoxify the residue, whereby the non-toxic residue becomes available for the production of non-toxic mineral products.