Norsk Hydro

Norsk Hydro: A site-wide study of variability in alumina particle size

Norsk Hydro, a major player in the aluminium production market, is using an Insitec Voyager particle size analyzer from Malvern Instruments to investigate changes in alumina particle size distribution across its site. The goal is to achieve better process efficiency. Pure aluminium is recovered from alumina (aluminium oxide) using the Hall-Heroult process. Alumina is prone to segregation and there are many opportunities where this may happen: during tanker discharge, storage in silos or when pneumatically conveyed. Changes in particle size impact the efficiency of the electrochemical circuit, with peaks in fines levels posing a particular problem. Using the Voyager, Norsk Hydro has studied the impact on segregation of silo operating practice and ship unloading procedures. The company has been able to adapt handling methods to achieve more controlled and productive operation of the electrochemical circuits.

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	Case studies - For more information, see:
	Insitec used to characterize the alumina feed for Hydro's aluminium primary production

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