Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically controlling a carbon bake furnace to thereby reduce uniformly baked anodes is disclosed. In its method aspects, the invention contemplates the use of flue and pit temperatures to produce a control signal to operate a valve for varying the air fuel mixture of a burner associated with said valve. In its apparatus aspects, the invention utilizes a plurality of infrared detectors to measure the pit and flue temperatures. The signals produced by these sensors are fed to a computer which produces a control signal for operating a valve associated with at least one of a plurality of burners which is to have its air/fuel ratio adjusted to thus adjust the temperature in the pit heated by the selected burner to a desired target temperature.

Abstract: A pit cover for retaining heat in an open top, ring-shaped, carbon anode baking furnace comprises an insulating cement cast into the form of the cover, at least one metal beam embedded in the insulating cement, and a plurality of stainless steel needles interspersed substantially throughout the insulating cement for reinforcement purposes. The insulating cement has a K factor of approximately 2 to 4, a density of approximately 80 to 100 lb./ft..sup.3, a cold crushing strength in the range of 1,000 to 5,000 psi, and a low iron content, preferably, less than 2%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for controlling the combustibility of volatile hydrocarbons and particulate matter in an exhaust gas stream driven off from a carbon product being baked in a furnace. In a prebaking stage, the carbon product is heat treated in a temperature range of 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. in order to drive off the volatile hydrocarbons and particulate matter and form the exhaust gas stream. The exhaust gas stream is heated to a temperature of at least 900.degree. C. and at least one heat transfer medium is force-drafted and mixed into the exhaust gas stream so that the stream contains at least approximately 6% oxygen. The volatile hydrocarbons and particulate matter in the exhaust gas stream are combusted into non-polluting compounds having an opacity less than 40% for exhaustion from the furnace into the outside atmosphere.