The use of inert anodes in the aluminium smelting process is a groundbreaking
technology, capable of revolutionizing the global industry. Once introduced, it will
enable RUSAL to completely eliminate any hazardous emissions.
The classical Soederberg reduction process requires half a tonne of coal anodes per
one tonne of aluminium. The coal anodes are responsible for releasing carbon dioxide
along with tar and polyaromatic emissions into the atmosphere. Besides, the coal
anodes burn down and need to be replaced every three weeks, which is expensive and
labour consuming.
The inert anode paste contains no carbon. The only byproduct of the inert anode
smelting pot will be pure oxygen. A single reduction cell will be able to generate the
same amount of oxygen as 70 hectares of forest. Besides, the inert anode does not
burn down and therefore does not need to be replaced, which means a considerable
cut in operational costs.
- Complete elimination of greenhouse gas and polyaromatic hydrocarbon
emissions
- Over a 10% cut in operational costs through reducing anode and energy
consumption
- Over a 30% cut in Greenfield projects expenditure costs
НAs of today, RUSAL already has a material for inert anode that allows for a cut in
operational costs as compared to the coal anode technology. The company is now
working to improve the material as well as to retrofit the cells structure so that it
would suit the new technology.
The development of the inert anode technology is now underway in Krasnoyarsk with
the relevant tests being conducted at RUSAL’s Krasnoyarsk smelter.
RUSAL plans to begin the pilot tests of the new technology in the next two
years. The first inert anode cells are expected to come onstream as early as
in 2015.