Elin Haugland, Manager of Cell Design, Aluminium Metal Research Center, Norway
"Our HAL4e electrolysis cell concept increases the amperage we use to make aluminium, but reduces what we call the specific energy consumption, or the number of kilowatt hours of electricity per kilogram of aluminium.
Lower energy consumption – plus some other improvements we’ve made – means lower emissions.
Today, electrolysis cells for making primary aluminium run at 200 to 300 kiloamperes (kA). HAL4e runs at up to 420 kA, and we want to go even higher. Our average amount of energy used to produce a kilogram of aluminium is about 14.5 kWh, while the target for HAL4e is less than 12.9 kWh.
What does HAL4e stand for? HAL is an abbreviation for Hydro and aluminium, while the 4 links us to the kiloamperage evolution above 400 and four other key “e” words: environmental improvements, energy savings, emerging technology, and entry into partnerships.
The environmental improvements are related to carbon and fluoride emissions and the energy savings are based on some novel design solutions in the cells. It’s an emerging technology that we’re working on improving even more.
The new technology is primarily something for our next generation of primary aluminium plants, but much of what we’ve learned can also be applied to our existing plants to help make them more efficient.
These new cells represent more than 40 years of history and knowledge and experience, and yet they are also the future."
Qatalum
Our joint-venture primary aluminium plant under construction in Qatar will be the most modern smelter in the world when in begins full production in 2010. It will employ efficient natural gas power and technologies that minimize energy use and emissions.
Carbon capture
New electrolytic cell technology developed by Hydro paves the way for easier concentration and handling of CO2 emissions from primary aluminium production. This patented technology will place Hydro at the forefront in meeting climate change challenges.
