UC Rusal starts modernisation of Bratsk aluminium smelter

Russian aluminium major UC Rusal has started modernisation of the Bratsk aluminium smelter, the world's largest, to reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency. The first stage of the project will be completed in 2011, costing U$350 million in investment, the group said in a statement Thursday. It said the modernization program would include reduction cells being equipped with alumina point feeders, which would result in better sealing for the reduction cell and a significant reduction in emissions. UC Rusal said the smelter would also be fitted with 24 dry scrubbers to ensure up to 99% fluoride collection. It said 64 new reduction cells in 16 potrooms would also be installed, resulting in a 100,000 mt increase in aluminium output. The air supply systems would also be modernized and electrical equipment replaced, the group said. "The modernisation project is aimed at reducing the smelter's environmental impact and is expected to result in 40% reduction of the overall volume of hazardous emissions. Before the year 2012, hydrogen fluoride emissions at the smelter will be cut by 17% and benzopyrene emissions by 30%," it said. Valery Matvienko, director of the Engineering and Construction, which is managing the modernization, said: "The Bratsk smelter modernisation will contribute greatly to achieving UC Rusal's ambitious environmental strategy." He added that the program would complement a similar project set to be completed this year at the Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter where significant environmental improvements had been achieved already. "Hazardous emissions have been reduced by 12%, increasing to a 30% target by the end of the project. Our goal is to maintain the Soderberg technology which is used at most of our largest smelters, while achieving the same environmental parameters as at pre-bake smelters. Our experience so far gives us reason to be confident of our future success," he added. The Bratsk's start-up complex was commissioned in 1966 and has a yearly production capacity of more than 983,000 mt. The Bratsk smelter has produced over 29 million mt of aluminium throughout its life time, it said.