:: Rusal Launches New Cell

Russian aluminium producer OAO Rusal has launched a new generation electrolytic cell at its Sayanogorsk aluminium smelter in the remote Siberian region of Khakassia.

The cell, named RA-400, will run at 400 kA and, according to the company, guarantees lower costs. The electrical current efficiency is expected to exceed 94%, and power consumption to be under 13,800 kWh/t of aluminium produced.

Each cell is designed to produce around 3 t/d of aluminium, and will raise production efficiency by 30%. RA-400 will also secure a 30% reduction in emissions compared with the company's RA-300 cell - which was released in 2003.

Rusal plans to install two additional RA-400s at Sayanogorsk, and to fit the cells in all of its future smelters.

Valery Matvienko, director of Husal's engineering and con­struction division, said: "The launch of RA-400 is yet another proof of our innovative leadership - a strong foundation for our strategy to increase aluminium production to 5 Mt/y and become one of the world's most environmentally friendly metal producers."

Meanwhile, Rusal's engineering and technology centre is currently developing the RA-500 cell, with test work planned to commence at the Krasnoyarsk smelter later this year.