Canada: Rio Tinto Alcan Introduces New AP60 Technology

Hatch helps RTA develop innovative aluminum smelting technology

Hatch and a joint venture partner are building for Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) a $1.2-billion plant in Jonquière, Québec to test and develop RTA’s proprietary AP60 smelting technology.

The AP60 technology plant will operate at an unprecedented 570,000 amperes and is expected to produce 67 percent more aluminum per pot than the previous generation AP30 technology, which operates at 300,000 amperes.

The Hatch joint venture completed the project’s feasibility study in 2010 after adding several value improvement ideas into the project’s scope.

The current engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) mandate includes the detailed engineering of specially adapted buildings and equipment; the deployment of innovative procurement and construction strategies; the first-time implementation of newly elevated health, safety and environment standards; and the pre-commissioning of a state-of-the-art development plant.

The 38-cell plant may also be expanded in the future. If all the project phases move forward, the plant could reach a total of 272 cells installed with a production capacity of 460,000 tonnes of aluminum per annum.