Global considerations of aluminum electrolysis on energy and the environment

Abstract

Aluminum production requires resources in the form of energy and minerals, and the by-products of the process have an impact on the environment. Important tasks for the aluminum producers are to use the energy and the raw-materials more efficiently, and to reduce the amounts of various harmful gaseous and particulate emissions and their negative effects on the surroundings. The ways that the aluminum producers can contribute to lower the total energy consumption and reduce the emissions, are reviewed and discussed.