Hydro puts a new electric boiler into operation at Alunorte alumina refinery

As part of the commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050, Hydro has reportedly brought in a change in the use of energy by inaugurating the operation of a new electric boiler, equipped with more modern technology and greater capacity, at its Alunorte alumina refinery. The boiler will be able to cut carbon emissions by 100,000 tonnes per year, with steam generation capacity of about 95 tonnes per hour, consuming 60 megawatts.

The installation of a new electric boiler has costed Hydro BRL 42 million and taken about 20 month time. Initially, the boiler will operate with energy purchased from the market.

Hydro is also studying the addition of two more electric boilers, expected to start operating in 2024.

Carlos Neves, Hydro’s director of operations for Bauxite & Alumina in Brazil, said: “Innovation and technology development are the main enablers of CO2-free processes. Our ambitions for the future are to reduce our own emissions globally by 10% by 2025 and 30% by 2030. This project plays an important role in the company’s global climate strategy.”

In 2021, Hydro announced the decision of investing BRL 1.3 billion in a project to begin using liquefied natural gas (LNG) at Alunorte. The company also signed a 15-year contract with New Fortress Energy.

All these have made Alunorte, which is a benchmark in energy efficiency in the aluminium sector, prepared for the fuel switch. The refinery is investing even more to adapt the calcination process and part of the steam generation to switch from oil fuel to LNG as an energy source.

Last year, a research project was also announced on the use of floating solar panels at Hydro’s bauxite mine in Paragominas, aiming at reducing the evaporation of water from the plant’s reservoirs and offering a new source of energy capable of meeting part of the mine’s own consumption.