Rusal’s eco-friendly investment
(Posted on 02/02/20)
Rusal, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has invested approximately 600 million roubles as part of an eco-friendly modernization of its coke-calcining kiln at the Volgograd aluminium smelter (VgAZ).
Following this modernization, the kiln’s output capacity has now increased to 12 tonnes per hour as compared to 8-9 tonnes of output at comparable kilns at other plants.
With a capacity of 94,608 tonnes per year, the modernization of the kiln at VgAZ is aimed at enhancing the environmental aspects of production and intensifying the plant’s coke calcining process. Thanks to new structural segments where the raw materials go through a preparatory ‘drying’ process, the coke that enters the heating chamber of the kiln has a lower moisture content compared with earlier generations of kilns. The lower consumption of natural gas also improves the kiln’s performance and minimizes the carbon footprint of the entire process. Another design concept that has been implemented involves the mixing of elements to ensure that all layers of raw coke are evenly calcined.
As the result of these improvements, the kiln’s fuel consumption has been reduced while the output has been increased. In addition, thanks to the recovery unit that has also been constructed, the steam that is produced during the calcining process can now be converted into heat (used for heating the plant in winter and heating the tap water year-round) and electrical energy. The steam and the carbon-containing dust are captured and returned to the production process.
Rusal’s CEO Evgenii Nikitin said: “The modernization projects conducted by RUSAL are not only aimed at achieving specific operational objectives, but also have a key role to play in improving the environmental profile of our plants. Improving and upgrading the calcining kiln at our Volgograd aluminium smelter fully conforms with these two principles, as it is part of a larger project to increase the self-sufficiency of the Company in terms of raw materials and to create a modern, energy-efficient and environmentally clean anode production.”
Latest News
NGFA applauds reintroduction of HAULS Act
(Posted on 24/12/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has applauded Senator Deb. Fischer’s (R-Neb.) reintroduction... Read more
Anglo American and Teck receive approval for merger of equals
(Posted on 18/12/25)Anglo American plc and Teck Resources Limited have received regulatory approval from the Government... Read more
Rhodes Ridge $191m feasibility study on Pilbara iron ore mine
(Posted on 18/12/25)The Rhodes Ridge Joint Venture has approved a $191 million (A$294 million) (Rio Tinto share $96 million... Read more
Strong metals trading as Trafigura publishes annual results
(Posted on 09/12/25)Trafigura Group Pte Ltd, a global leader in the commodities industry, has announced its financial results... Read more
Rio Tinto’s Nuton technology produces first copper
(Posted on 09/12/25)Rio Tinto has successfully produced the first copper from the Johnson Camp mine in Arizona using its... Read more
US soy and Uzbekistan sign MoU to expand trade
(Posted on 02/12/25)The American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health programme and the... Read more
KNAC and Rio Tinto sign updated agreement
(Posted on 02/12/25)Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation (KNAC) Registered Native Title Body Corporate and Rio Tinto... Read more
OCI Global announces sale of OCI Ammonia Holding to AGROFERT
(Posted on 02/12/25)OCI Global, a leading global producer and distributor of nitrogen products has announced that it has... Read more
Court of Appeal confirms permit for new steel plant in Luleå
(Posted on 24/11/25)In December 2024, SSAB was granted a permit by the Land and Environment Court at Umeå District... Read more
Simandou partners celebrate start of operations
(Posted on 15/11/25)The President of the Republic of Guinea has joined project partners WCS1, Baowu, Chinalco and Rio Tinto... Read more
