The first climate project for CO2 capture was launched in Russia

Aluminum producer Rusal has registered an innovative climate project for carbon dioxide capture in the Russian carbon unit (CU) registry. It was implemented at the Achinsk Alumina Refinery (AAR) and became the fifth for the company, its press service said.

The project involves modernization of wet scrubber units to capture CO2 generated from fuel combustion at ten furnaces in AGK's sintering shop. Absorption takes place by means of sub-slurry water, which is in the closed water rotation of the mill, and further disposal on slurry cards, which prevents secondary release of the gas into the atmosphere.

The expected emission reduction effect amounted to about 1.8 million tons of CO2 equivalent over the entire 10-year project implementation period.

Prior to the launch, AGK's technical specialists conducted research and development work to analyze quantitative indicators of greenhouse gas emissions and confirm the effects of the technology.

During the first and second stages of the plants' modernization, it was decided to replace gas distribution grids and install additional nozzles for more efficient irrigation of incoming furnace gas. For this purpose, a special team of experts and engineers from Rusal's alumina division was set up. They developed the necessary equipment and conducted tests.

"Thanks to the coordinated work of a team of technical specialists from Rusal's alumina division and their unique engineering solutions, projects are being implemented in Russia that are becoming a model of innovation and progress in the industry," said Yakov Itskov, director of the company's alumina business.

The carbon dioxide capture project has passed an independent expert review and received a positive opinion from the greenhouse gas validation and verification body of Innopolis University.

Rusal now has five climate projects with a total validated volume of 8.7 million carbon units.