Announcing ENAL’s special research program: Forecasting when an Innovative Smelting Process will be demonstrated and bankable.

The ENAL team is preparing resources for a Technology Forecast Study assessing when an Innovative Aluminum Smelting Process that will eliminate CO2 emissions in electrolytic reduction and significantly reduce energy and capital costs will become a credible, bankable option as smelting technology.
Shall we continue, 50 years from now, producing aluminum using the Hall-Heroult Process as it is? Some doubt it now, because of exceptional political pressures expressing environmental dangers. These dangers are more and more recognized as massive, controversial as to their natures and scenarios, but potentially cataclysmic. And since inertia is colossal in our industry, it is reasonable to ask oneself when, if ever, will there be an alternative to the Hall-Heroult Process that would completely eliminate the issues. These issues are: CO2 emissions; high energy and capital intensity; high logistics intensity; economies of scale imposing mega-projects. Since the industry exists, several alternatives had been identified and have been the object of R&D efforts, sometimes ambitious (witness Alcoa’s pilot smelter testing the Aluminum Chloride alternative to Alumina with Inert Anodes (IA), which was abandoned in the 80’s, and several others tested by Pechiney, Alusuisse, Hydro Aluminum, VAW, etc.). The last attempt (2000-04) was Alcoa’s, testing an Inert Anode on conventional alumina reduction. All were eventually abandoned, except UC Rusal’s. Rusal progresses in January 2010 within a successful, ambitious IPO, in which its own research on IA is (discreetly) offered in the basket. This research has apparently obtained some separate funding from the Russian Government. One can ask now whether conditions may have dramatically changed. Political pressures may be such that, if anyone can demonstrate a viable IASP, it would be quickly imposed by regulatory policies on top of CO2 taxes. ENAL engages into a worldwide dialogue with its expert panelists to answer the question: When will an Innovative Aluminum Smelting Process (IASP) eliminating CO2 emissions and energy intensity (Inert Anode? Carbothermical or other Multipolar Process? Aluminum Chloride replacing Aluminum Oxide in electrolyte? Other?) be demonstrated in a credible pilot smelter and available for technology transfer? 2016? 2020? 2030? Never? We think we have special resources to undertake this research: Our panelists include some of the most experienced and knowledgeable engineers in aluminum technology, including in Russia and China; we also have been covering now for a decade the energy arena insofar as it affects primary aluminum; and for clients in other industries we are undertaking special projects addressing investments in Sustainable Development, including all considered technologies aiming at eliminating CO2 and CnHn emissions: Soft energies, 3rd generation of nuclear, Carbon Capture & Storage, etc. We will soon present how we intend to pursue this effort, and who are the experts who will contribute to it. Meanwhile, we are open to dialogue on this project with our subscribers. If you wish to express an interest in the outcome of this exercise, do not hesitate to contact Andre Teissier du Cros at atc@enalnewsletter.com