Techno-Economic Assessment of a Carbothermic Alumina Reduction Process: Appendix L. Optimistic Cost Estimates for Carbothermic Reduction.

摘要

A techno-economic assessment of a process for the carbothermic reduction of alumina based on prior work and a flowsheet developed by a technical committee for the US Department of Energy is described. Estimates indicated that one could expect operating costs for a new carbothermic plant at $0.44-$0.45/lb of aluminum vs. $0.52 in a conventional plant using Hall cells based on conditions prevailing in mid-1988. This savings may not be sufficient to interest a new producer for new plant construction in the US considering the availability of aluminum from overseas facilities favorably situated to produce aluminum in the cost range of $0.35--$0.40/lb. The objective of this effort was to undertake optimistic estimates for capital investments and operating costs for the carbothermic reduction of alumina based on the flowsheet described in the body of this report. Estimates were to be of preliminary nature based on engineering judgment, discussions with industry personnel, and equipment suppliers. The results are presented here in Appendix L. The body of report is referenced continuously throughout the following text. Three Addenda are included at the end of Appendix L. 5 refs., 1 fig., 7 tabs. (ERA citation 14:022412)