The Jebel Ali smelter site owned by Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC (EGA) has launched a project to enhance operations, targeting energy optimisation and capacity creep.
Since its inception in 1979, the Jebel Ali smelter operation has been committed to continuous innovation in the aluminium smelting process and the in-house development of proprietary, reduction technologies. Over the years, a strong reputation has been built for technological innovation and business performance excellence, characterized by maximum operating efficiencies.
The latest project has three core components: the first, replacing 513 pots in Potlines 1 to 3 with D18+ Technology cells following a pilot project that successful demonstrated EGA’s expertise in retrofitting older potlines.
The second component is adding 4 DX Technology cells to Potline 8 to increase the line’s production capacity.
The third component injvolves adding 6 D20+ Technology cells to Potline 5B. Inspired by the success of the D18+ Technology pilot project in maximizing production with the available power, experimental modifications were introduced to modernize the D20 Technology cells in Potline 5B at EGA Jebel Ali. This resulted in reduced specific energy consumption, allowing for additional D20+ Technology cells to be added to the line. The modifications also yielded higher hot metal production, thus contributing to further production creep.
“For EGA, optimising energy efficiency is a key strategic objective that aims to minimise operational impact on the environment while ameliorating the significant cost of energy,” said Dr. Ali Al Zarouni, Vice President of Jebel Ali Operations. “These factors have underpinned the development of advanced technologies that not only increase productivity, but also reduce our operations’ impact on the environment through improved energy-efficiency and reduced emission levels. Using these technologies is integral to EGA’s drive to ensure long-term competitiveness in an industry that is sensitive to product quality, costs and, increasingly, environmental performance.” Yousuf Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Major Projects advises that SNC Lavalin has been appointed as the EPCM provider for the energy optimisation and capacity creep project at EGA Jebel Ali. “The owner’s team has enough strength, confident and experience to lead the EPCM to achieve the best KPIs of the project record, based on the recent series of successes in executing EMAL Phase1 and Phase 2 with a CAPEX value of $10 billion. We are committed, as the owner’s team, to complete the project safely on budget and within the agreed programme of implementation, not compromising the relationship with our stakeholders including our long-term committed suppliers, while fostering the development of our national engineers.”
Source : WAM News Agency for United Arab Emirates
