UC RUSAL launches new potrooms at Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter

UC RUSAL announced the launch of two new potrooms at the Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter (IrkAZ). The new production facilities will boost annual aluminium production capacity by more than 55% to 460,000 tn, with total investment in the project exceeding $600 mln.

The first start-up complex of the new potlines contains 26 RA-300 reduction cells out of total of 196 cells of the new potlines. With the total production capacity of 170,000 tn per annum, the fifth potline uses cutting edge prebaked anode technology to meet the highest environmental standards. Dry scrubber has been installed to absorb 99.5% of fluorides, dust and other potroom emissions and the potline includes a closed water cycle to further reduce environmental impacts.

The potline that also includes a silicon rectifier, anode rodding shop and various infrastructure facilities is designed by UC RUSAL’s Engineering and Construction Division.

Valery Matvienko, Head of UC RUSAL’s Engineering and Construction Division, said, “The modern technologies and equipment used at IrkAZ’s fifth potline will considerably increase efficiency and improve the environmental profile of the plant.

“A third of the work to launch the new potline was performed after IrkAZ joined UC RUSAL. This enabled us to use the experience and expertise gained during the construction and launch of the Khakas Aluminium Smelter.

“One of the priorities for the company is to turn plants built 40 or 60 years ago into modern enterprises that match western ecological and technical standards by using our own progressive in-house technologies. The new potline at IrkAZ is an excellent example of such a project.”

Construction of the new potline has been completed within three years. As a result of the launch, 800 new jobs have been created and more than 3,000 people were involved in construction. The new potrooms are expected to be operating at full capacity by the end of 2008.