Images(4)

Anode

Object number2018.120.1

Datec. 1920

MediumPetroleum coke; Coal tar pitch

Credit LineGift of Stephen J. Lindsay

DescriptionVariegated dark gray cylindrical anode made from petroleum coke and coal tar pitch materials. Sides are smooth and ends are more rough. The cylinder has a very slight curve along its length.DimensionsLength x Diameter: 16.5 x 4.5 in. (41.9 x 11.4 cm)
Historical NotesAlcoa Hall Cell anode from aluminum process 1914 to 1926. An anode is a petroleum coke and coal tar pitch material used to conduct electricity into a melt of molten salt (cryolite) during the process of creating pure aluminum from aluminum oxide contained in bauxite. These anodes typically last about three weeks before being replaced, but this unused piece was saved from the Alcoa plant in Tennessee. After 1926, these cylindrical anodes were changed to a rectangular shape. Donor Stephen J. Lindsay works for Alcoa as a Senior Technical Specialist and received this piece from Boris M. Triko, Chief Process Engineer for smelting at the Alcoa, TN plant.

Previous owner Stephen J. Lindsay

Previous owner Boris M. Triko

Previous owner ALCOA (founded 1998)

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