Overview
The aim of this project is to assess the technical and economic feasibility of H2 and electrification pathways for low-carbon alumina calcination, and to understand how each pathway can be incorporated into existing and future refineries to allow steam recovery from the calcination process to use in the digestion process. This will better understand the alternative value proposition of the main anticipated low-carbon pathways as well as the potential constraints/limitations and development timelines of each pathway.
Project Details
This project is divided into H2 and electrification pathways. Preliminary concepts of the combustion of H2 with pure O2 will be developed. These concepts will be designed for future refineries to be incorporated into existing refineries and to allow steam recovery to use in the digestion process. A down-select process will also be required to identify the plausible concept(s) for further assessment.
An assessment of the technical viability for integrating the various electrification (resistive, radiant burner) for air or steam as alternative working fluids will be conducted. For example, a radiant burner can be potentially used to replace the natural gas combustion in the main calciner, while a resistive heating can be potentially used to replace the natural gas fired air preheater.
Identified Pathways
Low-carbon alumina – calcination
Outcomes
Outcomes of the project include preliminary designs of potential reactor configurations (H2, Electrification or both (hybrid)); plant integration and retrofittable process configuration(s). This includes the digestion energy input and full refinery integrated flowsheet to optimise energy efficiency and support decarbonisation of the digestion area; and the plan for laboratory scale demonstration system to increase the TRL and support upscaling.