How much does an aluminum smelter cost?

Chalco has the highest costs, around US$ 1800 /tonne, of all major producers. Of the world’s 50 highest-cost smelters, 37 are located in China, and the average cost of production in 2015 was US$ 1,918 a tonne, 14 % above the average cost for the rest of the world, which is US$ 1,684 a tonne, according Wood Mackenzie.

How hot is an aluminum smelter?

The smelting of aluminum occurs at 800°C/1475°F, while the melting point of aluminum is 660°C/1190°F. As a result, the molten aluminum contains excess thermal energy as it is drawn from the smelting pot.

How much electricity does an Aluminium smelter use?

The level of electricity consumed by an aluminium smelter creates a very significant baseload demand. For example, a smelter with an annual output of 300,000 tonnes will require around 4,440 GWh of electricity.

What is the best way to melt aluminum?

Fire up the kiln or furnace to 1220°F. This is the melting point of aluminum (660.32 °C, 1220.58 °F), but below the melting point of steel. The aluminum will melt almost immediately once it reaches this temperature. Allow half a minute or so at this temperature to assure the aluminum is molten.

How much electricity does an aluminium smelter use?

How much electricity does an aluminum smelter use?

According to Alcoa, the world’s largest producer of aluminium, the best smelters use about 13 kilowatt hours (46.8 megajoules) of electrical energy to produce one kilogram of aluminium; the worldwide average is closer to 15 kWh/kg (54 MJ/kg).

How hot do smelters get?

Commonly used electrolyte in aluminum smelting process is molten aluminum fluoride and sodium bath. Therefore, a very high temperature (900–1000°C) is required to keep the bath in molten phase, which is a high energy–consuming process.

How hot is a Potroom?

Aluminum potroom workers engage in rigorous physical tasks near smelters where operating temperatures to reduce alumina to pure aluminum can reach 1,800°F. Many workers exposed to such extreme heat conditions are at risk of developing heat strain.