Primary processing of aluminium
It is vital for us to minimize the environmental impact of aluminum production. At the same time, the products we develop can reduce the environmental burden when used.
The benefits of using aluminium may well offset the effects of mining and production. These are the main steps in the production of primary aluminium:
The production of primary aluminium took place in large production lines. The main smelter is where it happened.
Here, alumina smelting is converted to aluminium. To do this, three different raw materials are needed:
Alumina (alumina)
electric
carbon
Aluminum atoms link oxygen atoms in alumina. These connections must be broken by electrolysis to produce aluminium metal.
1, alumina was transported to the factory and put into the pot (container). The alumina here dissolves in the electrolytic bath.
2, high melting point of alumina, through the process of electrolysis conversion. Electrolytic cell, a very high direct current operation - between the cathode and anode, both poles are carbon. In this process, the anode carbon is consumed and reacts with oxygen in alumina to produce carbon dioxide.
3, liquid aluminum is removed from the electrolytic cell, transported by special vehicles, and molded into extruded ingots, single ingots or other ingots, depending on how to process further.
How many aluminum does the smelter need?
The world's largest smelter produces 1 million tons a year.
Better electrolytic battery column = less energy consumption
The production of aluminum is an energy intensive process. We continue to work to further develop and improve our electrolytic battery column:
energy efficiency
Economic performance
environmental effect
work environment
We are committed to developing technologies that can be more energy efficient and help reduce emissions of climate gases per ton of aluminium production.
Global production
China is the world's largest producer of aluminum, and it also has the highest growth rate.
What's the output of aluminum?
In 2011, the world's total aluminum output reached 44 million tons.
What are the environmental challenges we should address when producing primary aluminium?
Energy production and dissemination, including greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from the production process
Sulfur dioxide emissions of fluoride, dust and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Liquid waste water
Waste disposal
Energy supply problems
Because it requires a lot of energy to produce aluminum, energy costs constitute an important component of aluminum output (20-40 of the percentage).
The development of smelters often triggers the development of local power supplies, and vice versa. That's why most smelters are located near power plants.
Some aluminium smelters struggle for survival because of higher electricity prices. For decision makers, this is a huge challenge, how to make good specifications, so that these enterprises can survive.
What impact does energy production have on the environment?
Even the power used to make aluminum is bought in the market, and our industry is responsible for the environmental footprint of the power supplies.
If the new plant should be based on coal as an energy base, we hope that geological conditions can capture carbon in the long run.
How do we plan to use less energy?
It takes about 14 kwh of electricity to produce 1 kilograms of aluminum. The amount of electricity is equivalent to 30 TV sets for an hour.
Compared with 100 years ago, electricity consumption has been reduced by 70% by improving global smelters.
Greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from modern smelters, carbon dioxide, a major source of consumption in the production of anodes. In addition, a small amount of perfluorocarbon high temperature chamber gas (all fluoride) is produced by process perturbations, known as the anode effect.
The carbon dioxide generated by the power supply of the smelter is nearly 60% of the total amount of aluminum production. (this figure reflects world average emissions, excluding emissions from China), from mines to metals.
Water used in smelters
In many areas, fresh water is of limited use. To meet this challenge, a water treatment system that allows reuse of water has been developed. The new smelter usually uses fresh water that is not emitted; they buy only the water they need, instead of evaporation and other small losses.
Waste generated by a smelter
Aluminum smelter produces solid waste.
It is necessary to rearrange the pot every 5-8 years.
Some carbon used in electrolytic tanks is considered as hazardous waste because of its fluorine content, cyanide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and active metals.