A continuous glue dissolution and addition system has been developed to reduce consumption of glue and electric power at the Tamano Refinery. In an aqueous glue solution, the molecular weight of the glue gradually decreases with time, depending on the solution temperature and acidity. The molecular weight is reduced 40% for 24 hours after it's dissolution in the addition tank, which is caused by the addition of hydrochloric acid about pH 2 and the retention temperature with atmosphere cooling from the dissolution temperature at 50°C. In the proposed system, a single tank is designed for both glue dissolution and addition, and the solution is directly supplied to the electrolyte head tank during dissolution. It was placed in operation in April 2010 and, as reported here, has reduced both the quantity of glue addition and the rate of electric power consumption.
