Alba's upgrades to improve productivity

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba)’s pledge to continue strengthening its credentials as an environmentally friendly and energy efficient aluminium producer was bolstered with the recent upgrade of Pot Line5 from AP30 to AP36 technology. The upgrade was made possible with the successful installation of the first 1600 mm long anode in Pot Line 5 – a significant breakthrough that’s geared to place Alba amongst the leaders in pot line current and productivity through effective deployment of advanced AP3X smelting technology. Alba’s production process will receive further boost with additional modifications from the reduction side on anode reference gauges, PTA shovel size, simulations on start-up pots, studies on wench motors, etc. Commenting on the upgrade from AP30 to AP36 technology on Pot Line 5, Alba's Chief Operations Officer, Isa Al-Ansari said: "Alba as a company has always prided itself on being at the forefront of promoting clean technology, reinforcing green initiatives in production, and also ensuring that goals for reducing emissions and energy consumption are articulated with clear action plans. The new installation of the first 1600 mm long anode is a step in the right direction and will pave the way to upgrade Pot line 5 from AP30 to AP36 technology. The support of the Carbon and Reduction team was crucial and I like to thank them for their hard work. As a result of this upgrade, we will soon increase the current in Pot Line 5, which will push production to new benchmarks and contribute towards Alba’s expansion.” When it commenced operations in 2005, Alba’s Pot Line 5 set new world records for the fastest and safest start-up of a reduction line - 77 days without a single loss time injury (LTI). Utilising advanced AP technology, it is also one of the world's longest reduction lines.