Data acquisition system for the computer control of aluminum smelters

摘要

Disclosed is a system for measuring cell potentials in an aluminum potline having a plurality of cells connected in series. The system enables better control of the cells than the current method which calculates cell resistance on the basis of measured cell potentials and potline current but an assumed value of back e.m.f. The present invention uses corrected voltage measurements and provides a decentralized, current independent cell potential measuring system which converts simultaneously all cell potentials during a normal integration period (e.g. 1 second) into a value corresponding to the potline current when it is at its normal (set-point) value. Simultaneously, various possible back e.m.f. values are measured with the same current relationship and computations made of the error caused by the non-ohmic portion of the cell potential when the current deviates from its normal (set-point) value. Sudden changes in current enable correct values of back e.m.f. to be determined.