Jul 15 2006
RUSAL, a global top-three aluminium producer, announced today preparations to launch the third process line for dry anode paste production at Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter. The launch of a new process line will complete the conversion of the smelter to the more effective and environmentally friendly dry anode technology . The project is part of a large-scale program for the ecological upgrade of the smelter. This progressive technology reduces the emissions of residues and benz(a)pyrene and, at the same time, improves the conditions of work for personnel. The company will also benefit from significant savings in raw material and electricity costs.
Today the majority of the potrooms (15) operate using dry anode technology. The introduction of the new equipment will help to enable that Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter's achieves self-sufficiency through anode paste based on high temperature pitch and enable the remaining six potrooms to be converted to dry anode operations. «Reducing the impact of production on the environment is one of our major goals,» said Oleg Burkatsky, Managing director of Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter. «In a large-scale integrated program for ecological modernisation, conversion of our production to dry anode is one of the key components of our strategy. Our total investment of US $29 mln in this program will generate substantial returns in performance improvement and environmental benefits.»
RUSAL's total investments in the Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter are expected to exceed US $300 mln by 2008. The reconstruction program will provide for a series of measures: commissioning of high-performance dry gas treatment centres, implementation of the automated reduction cell alumina feeding system and transfer of reduction operations to the progressive dry anode technology. The program will result in significant emission reduction, such as hydrogen fluoride by 1.5 times, tars by 2.7 times, and benz(a)pyrene by 2.5 times.