Biomaterials for carbon anode in aluminium production

Purpose and goal:

Aluminum is one of the world´s most widely used and recycled metals. Fossils based carbon anodes are widely used in primary aluminum production. The consumption of carbon anodes is 380-450 kg for the production of 1 ton of aluminum. This means a carbon dioxide emission of 1.4-1.65 tons. In this project, KTH will cooperate with a Swedish biochar producer and an aluminum industry to develop processes for high-quality bio-based raw materials used in carbon anode

production for the aluminum industry. Expected results and effects:

The project will lead a novel process to reduce carbon emissions for the aluminum producer using local biomass. The project can also address the value chain of biomass valorization by exploring new applications and thereby providing new markets. Meantime, new IPRs-Intellectual Property Rights will be generated, and maybe lead to new industrial actors.

Approach and implementation: 5 work packs are included as belwo: WP1: Project management, communication, dissemination; WP2: Upgrade bio-oil as a binder for anode application; WP3: Upgrade biochar as anode raw materials, including packing materials for anode application; WP4: Characterization of samples;

WP5: Process developed with aiming of scale-up and industrial application. WP2, WP3, and WP4 are the WPs that need equipment and laboratory testing.