special - Alu-web.de

TECHNOLOGIE
Amag setzt durch die ressourcenschonende
Erzeugung von Primäraluminium mit Strom
aus Wasserkraft im kanadischen Alouette-
Werk sowie durch das Recycling mit modernsten
energie- und emissionsoptimierten
Schmelztechnologien in Ranshofen bereits
Industriestandards beim Energieeinsatz und
bei den CO 2 -Emissionen. Dies gilt auch für
die Großinvestition „Amag 2014“ mit einem
Projektvolumen von 220 Mio. Euro am Hauptsitz
in Ranshofen.
Im Gesamtaudit 2013 bescheinigte die Zertifizierungsgesellschaft
Lloyd’s der Amag einen
hohen Standard sowohl im
• QM allgemein – ISO 9001 als auch bei der
• QM Automobilindustrie – ISO TS 16949
• QM Luftfahrtindustrie – AS /EN 9100
• Umweltmanagement – ISO 14001 und
• Arbeitssicherheit – OHSAS 18001. n
lows producing new, larger slab sizes for the
rolling mill under construction and covering a
broad range of alloys with a large proportion
of recycled scrap.
The new furnace can be tilted and is
equipped with regenerative burners and an
electromagnetic pump, so scrap can be melted
and cleaned and the liquid metal be cast in
one unit. The regenerative burners provide
for an optimum melting capacity, while at the
same time minimising power consumption
and CO 2 emissions. Moreover, the patented
burner technology and burner lance arrangement
adjusted to the furnace prevent formation
of nitrogen oxides. The significant reduction
of power consumption compared to
conventional burners results in a reduction of
costs and CO 2 emissions.
The gas-to-air ratio is additionally controlled
as a function of the residual oxygen content
in the waste gas, so the energy content
of minor organic scrap contaminants can be
utilised for the process. Accordingly, waste
gases are minimised. It goes without saying
that a state-of-the-art filter system was installed
together with the furnace. As a result,
the emission values of the furnace with respect
to all of the relevant pollutants are well
below the legal limit values.
The furnace is additionally equipped with
an electromagnetic pump, which is provided
with an intermediate tank mounted at the
side, to enable stirring and efficient alloying
of alloying materials to be performed at a
low oxide formation rate. Another advantage
of melt homogenisation is that hot spots are
avoided and heat exchange in the melt is improved.
n
Alcoa further extends sheet capacity
Investment addresses North American auto demand
Alcoa has announced its plans for a second
major expansion in North America
to meet what it sees as a growing demand
for light, durable and recyclable aluminium
sheet used in automotive production.
The company is to invest USD275 million over
the next three years to expand and convert
capacity at its rolling mill in Tennessee to
support automotive manufacturers’ plans for
using more aluminium sheet to increase fuel
efficiency, safety, durability and performance
of cars and light trucks. This latest development
follows Alcoa’s previously announced
USD300 million expansion of its Davenport,
Iowa plant due for completion by year-end.
Alcoa claims that the expansion in Tennessee
is a great example of how its edge in technology
and innovation is securing growth opportunities
in its value-added mid- and downstream
businesses. Klaus Kleinfeld, chairman
and chief executive of Alcoa, emphasises:
“More and more auto producers are turning
to aluminium to increase the fuel efficiency
and quality of their vehicles – we anticipate a
quadrupling of auto sheet volume by 2015 and
a tenfold increase by 2025.”
Alcoa’s Tennessee expansion will add 200
full-time, high-value jobs upon completion. In
addition, more than 400 jobs will be created
during the construction phase of the expansion,
welcomed by the state in its continued
growth in the automotive sector. The project
will convert some of the plant’s can sheet
capacity to high-strength automotive production,
as well as installing incremental automotive
capacity. The expansion project is
scheduled to begin shortly and be completed
© Alcoa
Alcoa Tennessee rolling plant – here, 96-inch mill…
…and cold roll storage
50 ALUMINIUM · 7-8/2013