Rusal completes smelter transition
(Posted on 31/07/20)
RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, has announced that its Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter (KrAZ) has completed its transition to the EcoSoderberg technology.
The recently completed retrofitting project on the smelter involved modifying a total of 1954 reduction cells to use the EcoSoderberg process. During this environmental retrofitting stage alone, USD 74 mln was invested in the project. In total, between 2004 and 2019, KrAZ allocated over USD 390 mln towards the implementation of various modernization projects.
The EcoSoderberg process was developed by the Engineering and Technology Centre of RUSAL. It was also included in the Reference of the Best Available Technologies in the Aluminium Production section approved by Rosstandard. Experts have concluded that the EcoSoderberg process is one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly production processes in the aluminium industry to date.
The EcoSoderberg process uses an improved design of the exhaust fume removal system which ensures a high degree of hermetic sealing as well as an optimized anode past? composition. This results in a significant reduction of emissions, particularly for the emissions of tarry materials. During 2011-2020, the second stage of KrAZ eco-modernization allowed the smelter to reduce total emissions by 13.7%, while hydrofluoride emissions reduced by 30%.
The chairman of the Krasnoyarsk territory’s government, Yuri Lapshin, and the minister of the environment and rational use of resources, Pavel Korchashkin, paid a visit to the smelter following the transition to the new environmentally-friendly process.
'The introduction of the EcoSoderberg process is a key part of the Company's modernization program. At the moment, in addition to KrAZ, the process is being introduced at RUSAL's other smelters, such as BrAZ, IrkAZ, NkAZ and VgAZ. In total, we plan for 400 reduction cells across five smelters to changeover to the new process this year. A new system of gas treatment has improved hermetic sealing of the cells, allowing us to effectively catch more than 99% of fluorides, 99.5% of benz (a) pyrene, and at least 96.5% of sulphur oxide. The next stage of our retrofitting efforts will involve deployment of inert anode reduction cells,’ noted RUSAL CEO Evgenii Nikitin.
The comprehensive environmental program at KrAZ was launched in 2004 and comprised two stages. The first stage focused on the smelter building and involved commissioning new gas treatment systems, installing an automated production process management system, and introducing the dry anode process. The second stage involved introducing the best available technologies including the modification of KrAZ reduction cells to utilise the EcoSoderberg process.
As a result of the 16-year environmental program, the smelter's total emissions have been cut by 38%, while fluoride emissions are down by 76%. Today, the smelter's emissions, which end up in the air of the city, are 4.5 times less than they were back in 1980.
RUSAL is the leader of the global aluminium industry. In 2019, the Company accounted for about 5.9% of global production of aluminium and 6.3% of alumina production.
Latest News
Rio Tinto reaches four billion tonnes of iron ore shipped to China
(Posted on 22/07/24)Rio Tinto has celebrates the shipment of four billion tonnes of iron ore from the Pilbara in Western... Read more
Africa’s opportunity to build sustainable logistics networks across mining sector
(Posted on 18/07/24)Capt. Pappu Sastry, CEO of Adhira Shipping and Logistics (ASL) has said that Africa’s mining sector... Read more
Conditions on Simandou iron ore investment now satisfied
(Posted on 16/07/24)All conditions have now been satisfied for Rio Tinto’s investment to develop the Simandou high... Read more
ADM offers segregated, traceable soybean meal to European customers
(Posted on 12/07/24)ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced that it is offering fully verified... Read more
Rio Tinto to install carbon free aluminium smelting cells
(Posted on 04/07/24)Rio Tinto will install carbon free aluminium smelting cells at its Arvida smelter in Québec,... Read more
Moonbound appoints ASL for long-term South African lithium logistics project
(Posted on 28/06/24)Moonbound Mining Ltd. has appointed Adhira Shipping and Logistics (ASL) as its logistics contractor... Read more
ADM and Bayer collaboration help farmers achieve lower carbon emissions
(Posted on 19/06/24)ADM and Bayer have announced an extension of their collaboration, working with farmers in a bid... Read more
US House appropriations bill includes reinstatement of NASS reports
(Posted on 14/06/24)A House appropriations subcommittee in the USA has approved its Fiscal Year 2025 bill that includes... Read more
Rio Tinto to acquire Mitsubishi’s stake in Boyne aluminium smelter
(Posted on 14/06/24)Rio Tinto has agreed to acquire Mitsubishi Corporation’s 11.65% interest in Boyne Smelters Ltd... Read more
Richards Bay Minerals’ renewable energy agreement
(Posted on 07/06/24)Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) has signed a renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) with Khangela Emoyeni... Read more
