INITIATIVES TO REDUCTION OF ALUMINUM POTLINE ENERGY CONSUMPTIONrnALCOA POCOS DE CALDAS/BRAZIL

摘要

Energy is one of the most important inputs for aluminumrnproduction and is responsible for approximately 40% of the costrnof aluminum production (CAP) in Soderberg pots. Facing thern2008/09 global economic downturn, Alcoa Poços de Caldas Plant,rnBrazil, has focused its efforts on a planned project, counting on itsrnpersonnel’s potential, to reduce the energy consumption. Mainrninitiatives taken along this process were: workshops on energyrn(thermal balance and energy consumption), STAR Probernmeasurements (pot control focused on thermal balance), newrncathode design, financial model development and changes inrnautomatic pot control. Through this project a reduction ofrn77mV/pot and 0.30 kWh/kg Al were achieved, the best ever resultrnreached at the plant at the present load level. In financial terms, inrn2008/09, US$ 1 million was saved without any extra investment.