Grant: Alliance Grants
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
$151,543.00
Reduction of environmental emissions and energy consumption of the primary aluminium production with improvements to the chemical, electrical and thermal synergy.
FY 2024-25
Summary
Aluminum is produced from alumina dissolved in molten cryolite, by electrolysis at a temperature of about 940-970°C. As in any chemical reactor, in the aluminum electrolysis cell the optimal operational conditions require the homogeneous distribution of the intensive parameters like temperature, alumina concentration, current density, etc. Introducing, dissolving, and dispersing of the alumina powder uniformly in this shallow molten electrolyte layer represents a very important and difficult challenge. The alumina concentration gradients in the cell are strongly correlated with the cell chemical, thermal and electrical heterogeneities.
The collaborative work described builds upon a previous partnership with Rio Tinto Aluminium that looked precisely at the alumina dissolution kinetics. The scope of the research program was extended in order to improve the understanding of the root causes of the chemical, thermal and electrical heterogeneities in an electrolysis cell. The work will directly lead to potential improvements and solutions to increase the homogeneity in an electrolysis cell. By doing so, the electrolysis cell will consume a lower amount of electrical energy as well as significantly reducing the frequency of process perturbations generating important amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG), specifically the perfluorocarbon gases (PFC). The different projects within the scope of this research will be based on mathematical modeling, simulations, experimental low-temperature analog systems, experimental high-temperature molten salt setups, data analytics of industrial data and in situ industrial measurements.
The primary aluminum industry represents a very important sector in the Canadian economy. The Canadian smelters excel worldwide in their energy efficiency and low environmental impact. RTA, the third biggest producer of primary metal is also a technology leader. The expected results will help the Canadian aluminum industry to keep its leading position in the increasingly stronger international competition.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Quebec, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
562923-2021
Name nom
Dion, Lukas L
Department département
Sciences appliquées
Organization id
52
Institution établissement
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Province en
Québec
Province fr
Québec
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2024
Competition year année de concours
2021
Award amount
151543
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
509
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Primary metal products (ferrous and non-ferrous)
Area of application fr
Produits des métaux primaires (ferreux et non ferreux)
Research subject code
1805
Research subject group en
Chemical engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie chimique
Research subject en
Transport processes
Research subject fr
Procédés de transfert
Field of research list names en
Not available
Field of research list names fr
Non disponible
Socioeconomic objective list names en
Not available
Socioeconomic objective list names fr
Non disponible
Application title
Reduction of environmental emissions and energy consumption of the primary aluminium production with improvements to the chemical, electrical and thermal synergy.
Keywords
alumina dissolution and distribution; computational fluid dynamics; electrical current distribution; electrolysis cells; greenhouse gas emissions; heat and mass transfer; mathematical modeling; multivariate analysis; primary aluminium production; time-serie analysis
Application summary
Aluminum is produced from alumina dissolved in molten cryolite, by electrolysis at a temperature of about 940-970°C. As in any chemical reactor, in the aluminum electrolysis cell the optimal operational conditions require the homogeneous distribution of the intensive parameters like temperature, alumina concentration, current density, etc. Introducing, dissolving, and dispersing of the alumina powder uniformly in this shallow molten electrolyte layer represents a very important and difficult challenge. The alumina concentration gradients in the cell are strongly correlated with the cell chemical, thermal and electrical heterogeneities.
The collaborative work described builds upon a previous partnership with Rio Tinto Aluminium that looked precisely at the alumina dissolution kinetics. The scope of the research program was extended in order to improve the understanding of the root causes of the chemical, thermal and electrical heterogeneities in an electrolysis cell. The work will directly lead to potential improvements and solutions to increase the homogeneity in an electrolysis cell. By doing so, the electrolysis cell will consume a lower amount of electrical energy as well as significantly reducing the frequency of process perturbations generating important amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG), specifically the perfluorocarbon gases (PFC). The different projects within the scope of this research will be based on mathematical modeling, simulations, experimental low-temperature analog systems, experimental high-temperature molten salt setups, data analytics of industrial data and in situ industrial measurements.
The primary aluminum industry represents a very important sector in the Canadian economy. The Canadian smelters excel worldwide in their energy efficiency and low environmental impact. RTA, the third biggest producer of primary metal is also a technology leader. The expected results will help the Canadian aluminum industry to keep its leading position in the increasingly stronger international competition.
