RUSAL to invest around USD 250 million to implement Eco-Soderberg technology

UC RUSAL announces that it will invest around USD 250 million to implement Eco-Soderberg technology at the Company's smelters between 2018 and 2022, a press release from the company confirms.

The transition involves a number of engineering activities, like the construction two-stage gas-cleaning plants, the implementation of an automated system to supply raw materials to reduction cells and automation systems, high-performance innovative system for gas removal from reduction cells, and the mechanisation of labour-intensive processes.

The new system for gas removal from the reduction of cells increases the gas removal efficiency to 97.5% and reduces emissions by 3.5 times, thus bringing out the environmental efficiency of the Eco-Soderberg technology to pre-baked anode technologies. The dry and wet gas-cleaning complex allows for capturing both fluorides and sulphur (SO2). Very few plants worldwide are equipped with such integrated gas cleaning systems.  The project is a part of Rusal’s ambitious environmental protection programmes being implemented at its aluminium smelters.

Vladislav Soloviev, CEO of RUSAL, commented: “Implementing the Eco-Soderberg technology is among the key projects underway to eco-upgrade RUSAL's facilities, which would allow to reduce emissions as well as increase production efficiency in general. Developing and implementing green technologies is an essential requirement for maintaining a leadership position in today's aluminium industry. By growing in this area, RUSAL not only develops new technologies and products, but also promotes Russia's scientific expertise on a global scale”.

The press release further confirms that about 70% of Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter’s capacity has been switched to the Eco-Soderberg technology. The Bratsk Aluminium Smelter has switched about 70% of one of its potrooms to the Eco-Soderberg technology, and two series of potrooms feature a cutting-edge gas cleaning system. Pilot work has been launched partially at the Irkutsk and Novokuznetsk Aluminium Smelters. The company has plans to expand the technology to cover the entire smelter in IrkAZ and NkAZ.

Eco-Soderberg is a proprietary technology development by RUSAL’s Engineering and Technology Centre based in Krasnoyarsk which is included in the 'Guide to the Best Available Technologies in Aluminium Production' approved by the order of Rosstandart. The technology is claimed to increase energy efficiency and workplace safety in smelters along with reducing environmental footprint.