Ph.D student Øyvind Gundersen

Status

I started my Ph.D. study in July 1991. I will finish my doctoral degree in 1996. My scholarship was financed by the EXPOMAT program, having Norsk Hydro a.s. as my industrial partner. My supervisor is Prof. Jens G. Balchen.

Research area

The title of my thesis is "Modelling and Model Based Control of a Carbon Anode Baking Furnace." I have mainly concentrated on the development of a detailed mathematical model of the baking process based on first principles modelling. Furthermore, a model for pitch pyrolysis has been developed which constitutes a basis for the development of models for prediction of physical properties of baked carbon anodes. A quality concept for carbon anodes have been formulated to be used in optimization and on-line control of baking furnaces.

Activities

• Modelling of pyrolysis and physical properties of carbon materials
• Writing of the thesis.
• Assisting on a part time basis in my supervisor prof. Jens G. Balchens courses.

Publications

• Ø. Gundersen. "Forelesningsnotater i forbindelse med aluminiumsframstilling". Technical report. Department of Engineering Cybernetics, October 8, 1995. 95-54-U. In Norwegian.
• Ø. Gundersen. "Modeling and Control of Ring Furnaces. A Review of Research." Technical report. Department of Engineering Cybernetics, November 24, 1995. 95-66-W.
• Ø. Gundersen. "Mathematical Modelling of Coal Tar Pitch Pyrolysis". Technical report. Department of Engineering Cybernetics, December 29, 1995. 95-116-W.

Plans for 1996

The writing of the thesis will be completed in spring 1996. I apply for jobs on a general basis. There seems to be an opportunity for continued work in the field of modelling and control of ring furnaces in close cooperation with Hydro Aluminum.