Technical Services

Calcined petroleum coke (CPC) plays a critical role in the aluminum industry, serving as a key raw material in the anodes used in the electrolytic process. CPC is a naturally heterogeneous material that is derived from green petroleum coke (GPC) -- a byproduct of the refining process — and the quality and composition of both GPC and CPC are gradually changing due to evolutions in the petroleum refining industry. It is important for Rain Carbon Inc. to work closely with customers and suppliers to manage these quality changes.

Smelters produce and consume large numbers of anodes. Consistent anode quality is critical to maintain a stable aluminum smelter operation. Although all anode plants use the same basic process for the production of anodes, differences in process and equipment affect anode quality.

Supply interruptions and inconsistent quality of CPC can disrupt smelting operations and erode profit margins. Emerging supply and quality constraints can threaten a smelter`s success. Rain Carbon Inc. has the resources, expertise and commitment to help meet these challenges.

Our technical services and R&D include:

• Frequent customer visits with detailed quality and technical review meetings
• Close dialogue with refinery suppliers supported by frequent visits and feedback on quality and technical issues
• Audits of plant operations to identify potential improvement opportunities, and provision of technical resources to identify and resolve quality and process inefficiencies
• Provision of laboratory work on specific projects for customers
• An active laboratory R&D program to develop new GPC and CPC sources for the industry, as well as other technology-related improvements
• Sponsorship of external R&D work to support in-house R&D activities
• Initiation and management of industry-wide round robin programs
• Organization of Carbon Symposiums, which provide an opportunity to share knowledge on CPC- and anode-related issues
• Frequent participation and presentation at conferences around the world
• Publication of technical papers on issues relevant to the industry; many of these papers can be found in the Innovation section