Abstract
The centre for an energy efficient and competitive industry for the future (HighEFF) at SINTEF has over 7 years considered different aluminium production technologies with focus on energy consumption and environmental footprint. Primary aluminium production technologies including the Hall-Héroult process, inert anode, and the chloride process were considered. The investigations suggest that inert anode technology and the chloride process will curtail emission of greenhouse gases, provided the electrical energy source is renewable. Inert anodes will eliminate CO2 and perfluorocarbon emissions but will require more energy due to the absence of carbon anodes. The chloride process has the lowest electrical energy consumption and may be more environmentally sustainable, provided that the carbon is recycled or based on biomass. The Hall-Héroult process has the potential to be climate neutral by incorporating carbon capture and storage. It is noteworthy that more than 60% of CO2 emissions is related to the power production.