A Brief Study of Energy Efficiency in Alternative Routes of Extraction of Aluminium and Magnesium

Abstract

The production of Aluminium from its ores at present relies on the Bayer (alumina production) and the Hall- Heroult (Al production) process. The cost associated with alumina production and apparent disadvantages like high energy consumption of the Hall-Heroult process have led to intensive research to find alternative routes for Al production. The direct has been thoroughly investigated as an alternative technique. Another alternative includes the indirect carbothermal reduction route where alumina (or aluminous ores) is first reduced to intermediate Al compounds before reduced further to Al. Magnesium is a light metal that used in structural applications, and also used as additive in chemical and metallurgical industries. The current dominant route for producing magnesium is via the Pidgeon and electrolytic processes,requiring intensive energy and high capital costs.So,energy efficiency of alternative routes for Mg extraction such as Mintek and solid oxide membrane processes(SOM) along with Direct carbothermal process(only) for Al extraction is discussed and highlighted in this paper