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Canada to debut world-first carbon-free aluminum production technology
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A British-Australian mining company's facility in Canada is set to
debut a novel carbon-free aluminum smelting technology. This is in an
effort to accelerate the shift to more environmentally friendly
production methods.
The Elysis technology promises to replace traditional smelting,
eliminating all direct greenhouse gases and producing oxygen instead.
It will be installed at Rio Tinto's Arvida smelter in Quebec.
The company will design, engineer, and build a demonstration plant at
the smelter with ten pots operating at 100 kiloamperes (kA).
According to a statement, Rio Tinto and the Government of Québec,
through Investissement Québec, will invest $179 million (CAN$235
million) and $106 million (CAN$140 million), respectively, for a total
of US$285 million (CAN$375 million).
"This pilot operation will be a critical step in Rio Tinto's learning
journey towards full-scale industrialization of the Elysis
technology," said the firm.
## Decarbonizing aluminum industry
Aluminum has long been the material of choice for developing
sustainable products because of its strength, lightweight, and endless
recycling possibilities.
Stricter emission regulations will force manufacturers and producers
worldwide to concentrate on decarbonizing their operations and supply
chains.
Elysis, a joint venture between two competing major aluminum industry
firms—Alcoa and Rio Tinto—is helping in that mission. Through
Investissement Quebec, the Canadian and Quebec governments have
committed to supporting the Elysis project by each investing $58
million ($80 million CAD).
Elysis is an inert anode technology. The concept is simple. In a
traditional electrolysis cell, alumina (a combination of aluminum and
oxygen) is placed with an electrode and a carbon anode. This process
separates aluminum and oxygen, with aluminum settling at the cell's
bottom and oxygen combining with the carbon anode, resulting in CO2
emissions.
In inert anode technology, the carbon component is eliminated. Without
carbon, the separation of aluminum from oxygen only releases oxygen
from the cell.
The technology offers a way to drastically cut the carbon footprint of
numerous everyday products, such as those used in the consumer goods,
building, transportation, and electricity industries.
According to the firm, its technology has the potential to cut yearly
GHG emissions by about 7 million metric tons, or the equivalent of
taking 1.8 million automobiles off the road, if it were solely used in
Canada.
Furthermore, the developers claim that the technology also enhances
occupational health and safety, lowers capital intensity and
operational costs, and boosts productivity. It can be retrofitted into
existing smelters and new installations.
VIDEO
## Scaling up Elysis technology
Rio Tinto says that its new plant is anticipated to begin production
in 2027 and will have the capacity to manufacture up to 2,500 tons of
commercial-quality aluminum annually without directly emitting any
greenhouse gases.
According to the firm, casting and alumina supply facilities can be
utilized because of its proximity to the current Arvida smelter.
Through an offtake agreement, Elysis joint venture partner Alcoa will
have the option to purchase a portion of the aluminum produced by Rio
Tinto at the Arvida demonstration plant during the first four years.
"In addition to delivering even lower-carbon primary aluminum for our
customers, this investment will allow Rio Tinto to build its expertise
on installing and operating this new technology, while the Elysis
joint venture continues its research and development work to scale it
up to its full potential," said Jérôme Pécresse, Chief Executive at
Rio Tinto.
Furthermore, continuing its research and development, the joint
venture is scaling up Elysis technology. Larger prototype 450 kA cells
have been constructed at Rio Tinto's Alma smelter, integrated at the
end of an existing potline.
According to Rio Tinto, Elysis has commenced commissioning these
industrial prototype cells, with startup scheduled for 2024.
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#### ABOUT THE EDITOR
**Jijo Malayil** Jijo is an automotive and business journalist based
in India. Armed with a BA in History (Honors) from St. Stephen's
College, Delhi University, and a PG diploma in Journalism from the
Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, he has worked for news
agencies, national newspapers, and automotive magazines. In his spare
time, he likes to go off-roading, engage in political discourse,
travel, and teach languages.
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