Safe operation of anode baking furnaces

The baking of anodes is a process in which combustible substances are released. Ring main fires do occur and even explosions in the fire zones, ring main or fume treatment plant have happened in carbon plants. The risks associated with different process deviations and the possible consequences of these, can be evaluated for both existing and new furnaces to be built. European and IEC safety standards give useful guidelines for the design of process control and safety systems applicable to the baking process. This paper will present and discuss methods for evaluating the risks and consequences, and give examples for how operational procedures and the design of safety systems can reduce the occurrence of unwanted events for open as well as closed top furnaces.