Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has launched a pilot programme to upgrade aluminium reduction cells at its Al Taweelah smelter in Abu Dhabi, testing new technology designed to improve productivity, energy efficiency and emissions performance.
The pilot involves upgrading 13 DX technology reduction cells with EGA’s new E40 technology. The results will be used to assess the technology ahead of potential industrialisation across all 808 DX technology reduction cells operating on potlines 1 and 2 at Al Taweelah.
If implemented across all 808 cells, EGA estimates that E40 could increase hot metal production from the two potlines by approximately 67,000 tonnes per year. The technology could also reduce net specific energy consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions from power generation by around 6% per tonne of aluminium produced.
EGA has accelerated the pilot programme during the ongoing restoration of the Al Taweelah smelter. The facility was damaged after Iranian strikes on the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi led to an emergency shutdown. 
The pilot is intended to provide operational data on E40 technology and determine its potential for wider application across the smelter. If successful, the upgrade could increase production capacity while reducing the energy intensity and emissions associated with aluminium production.
Source: EGA with additional information added by Glass Balkan
