The transition strategy at alouette towards higher productivity with a lower energy consumption

Abstract

The Alouette aluminium smelter at Sept-Iles, Quebec was commissioned in 1992 with a nominal capacity of 215,000 tonnes per year based on AP30 cells operating 264 pots at 300 kA. Since that time, the plant has expanded considerably, and in 2005 a new potline of 312 pots was added plus an 18 pots test section. The cells currently operate slightly over 370 k Amp with plant capacity now at 600,000 tonnes per year. In the quest for higher productivity and profitability, Alouette is planning a transition to 400 kA based on the use of new, high-amperage, low-energy (LE) AP cells, referred to as AP40LE. In designing this new cell, certain lining, rodding procedures and materials of construction were modified. The main performance objectives and the development steps towards introducing the AP40LE pots and plans for bringing all production lines to 400kA are described in this paper.