Aluminum Plant Research Articles

Assessment of the public health risk caused by exposure to atmospheric emissions from an aluminum plant

Introduction. Aluminum production is accompanied by emissions of pollutants that can negatively affect the environment and public health. The study aims to determine the impact of atmospheric emissions from an aluminum plant on the health of the population of the city of Novokuznetsk based on a risk assessment. Materials and methods. The volume of maximum permissible emissions of the Novokuznetsk Aluminum Plant was used in the work. Experts calculated the maximum and average concentrations of substances at 40 exposure points. The maximum permissible concentrations of substances were determined in accordance with SanPiN 1.2.3685-21. The authors calculated the carcinogenic risk and the risk of non-carcinogenic effects in accordance with the Guidelines 2.1.10.1920-04. They carried out the classification of risk levels based on methodological recommendations 2.1.10.0156-19. 2.1.10. Results. The authors have selected pollutants were for risk assessment: inorganic dust with a SiO2 content of <20%, sulfur dioxide, benz(a)pyrene, hydrogen fluoride, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, suspended solids, nitrogen oxide, carbon (soot). The maximum concentrations were 0.1–3.77 MPC for inorganic dust (SiO2<20%), 0.1–2.64 MPC for hydrogen fluoride and 0.05–1.74 MPC for sulfur dioxide; average concentrations were up to 9.16 MPC for benz(a)pyrene. The hazard indices for acute exposure are at an acceptable level; For chronic exposures, they correspond to alarming and high levels, reaching the highest value (13.469) at a point located closer to the sources of emissions. Hazard indices for critical organs and systems in acute exposures are at acceptable or minimum (target) levels, in chronic exposures they correspond to alarming and high-risk levels. The respiratory and immune systems are most affected. The total individual carcinogenic risk ranges from 4×10–7 to 8×10–6, without exceeding the upper limit of the permissible risk. Residents of the Kuznetsk district of the city are most affected by emissions. Limitations. The main limitation in the work carried out was the use of calculated concentrations of pollutants for risk assessment without the use of in-kind indicators. Conclusion. Elevated concentrations of pollutants were detected in the atmospheric air of residential areas adjacent to the territory of the aluminum plant, which determine alarming and high levels of non-carcinogenic risk to public health. Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics Committee.

Ways to Improve Environmental Safety when Placing Alumina Production Wastes in Sludge Storage Facility

The possible scale and degree of contamination of groundwater in the areas of sludge storage of alumina plants were estimated and patterns of changes in the composition of groundwater were established. The zone of intensive impact of the sludge storage on groundwater has been determined. A set of environmental measures has been developed, providing for the creation of a contouring anti-filtration curtain, pumping of contaminated groundwater by drainage wells, carbonation of sludge waters in order to reduce pH and transfer harmful impurities into insoluble compounds.

Evaluation of fluoride emissions and pollution from an electrolytic aluminum plant located in Yunnan province

The monitoring and evaluation of fluoride pollution are essentially important to make sure that concentrations do not exceed threshold limit, especially for surrounding atmosphere and soil, which are located close to the emission source. This study aimed to describe the atmospheric HF and edaphic fluoride distribution from an electrolytic aluminum plant located in Yunnan province, on which the effects of meteorological conditions, time, and topography were explored. Meanwhile, six types of solid waste genereted from different electrolytic aluminum process nodes were characterized to analyze the fluoride content and formation characteristics. The results showed that fluoride in solid waste mainly existed in the form of Na3AlF6, AlF3, CaF2, and SiF4. Spent electrolytes, carbon residue, and workshop dust are critical contributors to fluoride emissions in the primary aluminum production process, and the fluorine content is 17.14 %, 33.30 %, and 31.34 %, respectively. Unorganized emissions from electrolytic aluminum plants and solid waste generation are the primary sources of fluoride in the environment, among which the edaphic fluoride content increases most at the sampling sites S1 and S7. In addition, the atmospheric HF concentration showed significant correlations with wind speed, varying wildly from March to September, with daily average and hourly maximum HF concentrations of 4.32 μg/m3 and 9.0 μg/m3, respectively. The results of the study are crucial for mitigating fluorine pollution in the electrolytic aluminum industry.

The concentration and probabilistic health risk assessment attribute to PAHs in indoor air of Hormozgan aluminum plant, Iran

ABSTRACT We measured PAHs concentrations to understand the potential short and long-term health risks to workers. In the anode cooking area, the lowest and highest concentrations of PAHs were found for DahA (dibenzo[a,h]anthracene) at 0.373 ± 0.326 µg/m3 and Chry (chrysene) at 1.923 ± 1.258 µg/m3, respectively. In the anode-making area, these concentrations were higher, with DahA at 0.435 ± 0.221 µg/m3 and Chry peaking at 3.841 ± 1.702 µg/m3. Risk assessment based on these concentrations indicates a hierarchical order of individual PAHs risks in the anode cooking area, led by BaP (benzo[a]pyrene), followed by other specific PAHs compounds. The total hazard quotient (THQ) for PAH exposure in both anode-making and cooking areas significantly exceeds the threshold for considered cancer risk, emphasizing the considerable danger to workers. This study underscores the urgent need to mitigate exposure to PAHs in industrial settings to protect worker health from the carcinogenic risks of such hazardous compounds.

Investigation of the possibility of using depleted bauxite in alumina production at the Pavlodar aluminum plant

The topic of processing low-grade or low-quality bauxite is highly relevant in modern conditions due to the gradual depletion of high-quality bauxite reserves. Consequently, there is an increasing need to explore alternative sources of raw materials for aluminum production and its derivatives. Processing low-quality bauxite ores can become an effective solution, reducing dependence on limited high-quality resources and ensuring production stability in the long term. Such research has significant potential for developing technologies capable of optimizing aluminum production processes and enhancing its competitiveness in the global market. Bauxites from the Krasnooktyabrsky bauxite ore management with low aluminum oxide content (37 – 40% by mass) and a silicon module up to 2.0 are considered as potential blending materials for sintering bauxite in alumina production due to the depletion of high-quality bauxite reserves. This article presents the results of research on their processing into alumina at the Pavlodar Aluminum Plant. Laboratory and pilot-scale studies were conducted to assess the feasibility of using low-quality bauxite in alumina production and to determine the techno-economic indicators of processing. The research results confirmed the technological feasibility of processing depleted bauxites with a silicon module of 1.95 - 2.0 in the sintering section while maintaining the quality of sinter and extracting useful components. The maximum proportion of blending of depleted bauxites with the main bauxite was determined not to exceed 50%.

Changes in the indicators of the cardiovascular system in aluminum plant workers under the influence of physical factors

Changes in the indicators of the cardiovascular system in aluminum plant workers under the influence of physical factors

Red mud: Characteristics, utilization, and environmental remediation strategies in the aluminium industry

Aluminium plants generate a substance identified as red mud, which is an alkaline atrophy product. As the aluminium industry expands, the accumulation of red mud has become a more pressing concern. Various atrophy treatment technologies have been developed to utilize red mud as a material for environmental remediation. These substances, also identified as Red Mud Ecological Rehabilitation Ingredients (RM-ERMs), are created by stimulating red mud, fusing it in a complementary manner with additional compounds, or removing useful components from it. RM-ERMs find application in three main areas: purifying wastewater, treating atrophy gases, and remediating soil. The extremely alkaline nature of red mud is harnessed in the making of RM-ERMs, offering a window to perk up the environment through purification methods. The utility of RM-ERMs has shown promise as a potential method for simultaneously addressing various types of waste. This review provides an introduction to the physical and chemical characteristics of red mud, and summarizes the active mechanism of RM-ERMs in addressing specific contaminants in wastewater, atrophy gases, and soil. Additionally, a review of current challenges in the field of RM-ERMs offers crucial insights and recommendations for future research in this area.

Influence of Sayanogorsk Aluminum Plant emissions on morphological characteristics and phytopathology of Scots pine (<i>Pinus sylvestris</i> L., 1753)

This article presents data on the variability of morphological features and cytogenetic indicators in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) growing in areas affected by the industrial activity of the Sayanogorsk Aluminum Plant (SAP). We demonstrated that in polluted plots located at a distance of 1 and 5 km from the plant, the reproductive organ indicators of pine significantly decreased, germination energy and viability decreased, and needle necrosis frequency increased compared with the control. A significant increase in the frequency of class III needle necrosis in experimental plots by 7.2–8.6 times compared with the control, as well as a decrease in germination energy and seed germination in experimental plots by 1.1 and 1.3–1.5 times indicates the strong negative impact of SAP emissions on pine. Mitotic index and frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the apical meristem cells of Scots Pine seedlings were determined by cytogenetic analysis. A considerable reduction in mitotic activity by 1.35 to 0.8 times was observed in the meristem cells of Scots Pine growing in experimental plots, compared with the control plot. A tendency toward an increase in the frequency of abnormal mitoses of Scots Pine in the experimental areas was observed. Thus, the data obtained made it possible to assess the condition of Scots Pine in areas exposed to the influence of SAP.

Business models for symbiosis between the alumina and cement industries

Global alumina production generates approximately 150–170 million tonnes of bauxite residue (BR), predominately landfilled. The cement industry is looking for new supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to replace additional clinker volumes and reduce their carbon footprint. Symbiosis between the alumina and cement industries presents an opportunity to conserve resources and produce low-carbon cements by thermally modifying BR into novel SCMs. This research uses the Horizon 2020 ReActiv project as a case study to evaluate the suitability of different modified BRs for use as SCMs using evidence from project documentation and participant observations from progress meetings. It also explores symbiotic business model configurations between alumina and cement industries through semi-structured interviews with ReActiv project participants. Results indicate that thermal modification of BR significantly increases its cementitious value, and should optimally be carried out in alumina plants, with the cement industry then grinding and mixing the resulting SCM with other cement components.

Groundwater contamination and sources of potentially toxic elements in Korba Basin, India

AbstractMost coal in India originates from the Korb basin (Chhattisgarh), where coal mines, thermal power, and aluminum plants operate. Groundwater in this region faces severe pollution due to land reclamation, leaching of coal‐related contaminants, waste disposal, and industrial effluent seepage. This work presents results from monitoring groundwater pollution in the Korba basin from 2012 to 2017. Fluoride, aluminum, manganese, and iron levels exceeded acceptable quality limits across all 28 studied locations, with excessive nitrate, magnesium, calcium, and lead levels in specific sites. Tracking seasonal and temporal fluctuations in the most polluted site, namely Kudurmal, revealed peak solute concentrations during the monsoon period and a sustained 18% increase during the study period. Factorial analysis suggests groundwater contamination arises from both human activities and natural sources. These findings underscore the urgent necessity of devising remediation strategies for the drinking water supply.

Reducing the environmental impact of aluminum production through the use of petroleum pitch

This study is aimed at developing a technology for obtaining petroleum pitch as a binder for anode mass used in the electrolytic production of aluminum from fuel oils of catalytic liquid-phase oxidative oil cracking. A review of published data on the existing methods for obtaining petroleum pitch and its properties is carried out in order to define research directions. A method for producing petroleum pitch by catalytic liquid-phase oxidative cracking of crude oil using heterogeneous metal complex catalysts is proposed. The process of petroleum pitch production is shown to undergo several stages, including homogenization of fuel oil and modifying additives; oxidative cracking of fuel oil during heating of homogenized fuel oil in a furnace; catalytic liquid-phase oxidative cracking of fuel oil with removal of distillates; rectification of light fractions; condensation of distillates; collection of light oil products; oxidation of bottom residues by air and steam; removal of oxidation distillates and petroleum pitch; and pitch pelletizing. According to the conducted comparison of the as-obtained petroleum pitch with the B-1 coal tar pitch produced by the Altai Koks JSC, the proposed material meets the technological requirements of the Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Plant of the RUSAL company. In terms of sulfur content, the proposed petroleum pitch is superior to coal tar pitch. The experiments conducted at an aluminum plant showed the petroleum pitch to contain no harmful polyaromatic hydrocarbons, in particular, carcinogenic benz(a)pyrene. Therefore, replacement of coal tar pitch with petroleum pitch could provide technological and environmental advantages for primary aluminum producers, as well as for enterprises producing various carbon materials.

Characterization of Indoor Molds after Ajka Red Mud Spill, Hungary.

A red mud suspension of ~700,000 m3 was accidentally released from the alumina plant in Ajka, Hungary, on the 4th of October 2010, flooding several buildings in the nearby towns. As there is no information in the literature on the effects of red mud on indoor mold growth, we conducted studies to answer the following question: does the heavy metal content of red mud inhibit fungal colonization in flooded houses? In order to gain knowledge on fungal spectra colonizing surfaces soaked with red mud and on the ability of fungi to grow on them, swabs, tape lifts, and air samples were collected from three case study buildings. A total of 43 fungal taxa were detected. The dominant species were Penicillium spp. on plaster/brick walls, but Aspergillus series Versicolores, Cladosporium, Acremonium, and Scopulariopsis spp. were also present. The level of airborne penicillia was high in all indoor samples. Selected fungal strains were subcultured on 2% MEA with 10-1 and 10-4 dilutions of red mud. The growth rate of most of the strains was not significantly reduced by red mud on the artificial media. The consequences of similar industrial flooding on indoor molds are also discussed in this paper.

Improving the dewatering performance of red sludge with alternative methods in Eti Aluminum Plant in Seydisehir, Konya province, Turkey

Recently, alumina demand has increased significantly due to the increment of usage area of aluminum in the world. One ton of red sludge on dry bases has come out as a bauxite residue in the course of 1 ton of alumina and 0.5 tons of aluminum production respectively. Especially the high liquid ratio significantly reduces the life of the red sludge dam used as a disposal area. In this study, alternative techniques have been investigated to improve the dewatering performance of red sludge in ETI Aluminum Inc. For this purpose, the vacuum rotary drum filter, decanter centrifuge, and filter press methods have been searched, and the effects on ETI red sludge dewatering properties have been obtained. The dewatering studies have been performed not only at the laboratory scale but also at the pilot scale to determine the optimum technique and to achieve the most efficient performance. As a result of dewatering the 30% solids red sludge with vacuum rotary drum filter, decanter centrifuge, and press filter methods, solids ratios of 48%, 65%, and 70% were obtained, respectively. While the amount of caustic in the red sludge produced by the present method was between 1.5 and 3%, the amount of caustic remaining in the cake was reduced to 0.22%, 0.15%, and 0.95%, respectively, by vacuum filtration, decanter centrifuge, and press filter methods. Thus, reducing the amount of caustic in the red sludge has reduced its negative impact on the environment, and a significant amount of caustic has been recovered.

Study of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) T1 and M1 genes in aluminum industry workers with comorbid cardiovascular pathology

Introduction. Employees of the main professions of aluminum production have a high level of professional and production-related pathology, primarily diseases of the circulatory system associated with the long-term influence of vasotoxic factors on the body. The pathogenetic course of angiopathies does not proceed in isolation, it is predetermined by chronic fluoride intoxication and hereditary component. The establishment of associations determined on the basis of studying the polymorphism of glutathione-S-transferase genes with the risk of developing comorbid cardiovascular pathology makes it possible to use genetic analysis in its early diagnosis.
 The study aims to explore the polymorphism of GST genes in aluminum industry workers with comorbid cardiovascular pathology.
 Materials and methods. The authors have carried out the study using clinical and molecular genetic diagnostic methods in workers of the main professions engaged in the production of aluminum, with chronic occupational intoxication with fluorine compounds and persons with individual signs of fluoride exposure to the skeleton (comparison group). By detecting extended deletions in the loci of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes, the researchers have assessed the association of the studied genotypes with the risk of chronic intoxication and atherosclerosis.
 Results. In the cohort of patients (36.58%) and in the comparison group (16.98%), the authors have revealed a combined form of cardiomyopathy complicated by coronary atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease. Also, scientists have established significant differences in the frequency distribution of genotypes of GST genes. Homozygous polymorphism GSTT1 0/0 is a risk factor for the development of occupational pathology against the background of the predominance of the normal genotype GSTM1+. Predictors (GSTT1 0/0, GSTM1 0/0) of the risk of atherosclerosis associated with hypertension in persons with chronic fluoride intoxication were determined.
 Conclusion. The association of GST genes with the development of comorbid cardiovascular pathology was determined in the structure of professional and production-related pathology in aluminum industry workers.
 Ethics. We have conducted the study of employees at the aluminum plant on a voluntary basis with the written consent of the examined persons on the basis of a specialized clinic of the Research Institute of Complex Problems of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases in accordance with the Ethical principles of conducting scientific and medical research with human participation ("Rules of Clinical Practice in the Russian Federation", Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation No. 266, 2003; Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association "Ethical principles of conducting scientific medical research with human participation", 2013).

The Introduction and Absorption of 160 kA Prebaking Cell Technology in Guizhou Aluminum Plant in the Early Stage of Reform and Opening Up

The Introduction and Absorption of 160 kA Prebaking Cell Technology in Guizhou Aluminum Plant in the Early Stage of Reform and Opening Up

"INDUSTRIAL WASTE UTILIZATION IN THE PRODUCTION OF BUILDING MATERIALS ON ECOSTROINII-PV LLP EXAMPLE "

"The results of the work of EcostroyNII-PV LLP on the processing of technogenic waste of energy and metallurgy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Pavlodar region are presented. The use of waste in the manufacture of construction products is one of the most effective solutions to environmental problems in the region. The proposed technology for the production of construction products using ash and slag waste provides for innovative compositions of raw materials mixtures and provides an increase in operational characteristics and an increase in labor productivity in construction. The applied technology, in comparison with existing analogues, provides for the use of local waste (ash and slag waste from the burning of Ekibastuz coal, bauxite sludge of the Pavlodar aluminum plant, steelmaking slag). They differ in chemical and granulometric composition, as well as binding properties from other analogues and prototypes. In the production of construction products, a concrete mixture has been introduced and patented, including, %: slag-Portland cement – 14.32–17.00; sand – 18.74–25.52, crushed stone – 46.50-49.71, alumina sludge obtained during processing of Kazakhstan bauxite – 5–7; self–disintegrating slag of steelmaking production – 5–7; ash and slag waste of thermal power plants from burning Ekibastuz coals – 5–7. According to the test results, the average tensile strength of building products (paving slabs, curbstones, hollow bricks) is 3.2 – 3.8 MPa (strength class 2.5). "

УТИЛІЗАЦІЯ ЗАБРУДНЕНИХ МУЛІВ БУЗЬКОГО ЛИМАНУ ПРИ РЕМЕДІАЦІЇ ПОВЕРХОНЬ ТЕХНОГЕННИХ МАСИВІВ

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of utilisation of the Buzky estuary sludge contaminated with chemical and radionuclide pollutants due to a significantan thropogenic load on its hydro ecosystem: use in transport logistics and through sewage discharges. Since these sludges can be a valuable fertiliser for solving many environmental problems that require the provision/introduction of organic matter/fertilisers, the article investigates the possibility of using dredged contaminated estuarine sludges for remediation of the surface of sludge pits at Mykolaiv Alumina Plant LLC. A method of simultaneously solving two separate environmental problems of Mykolaiv (disposal of contaminated sludge from the Buzky estuary and deflation of toxicants from the surface of red sludge pits) is proposed.

PREREQUISITES FOR THE RENOVATION OF POST-INDUSTRIAL AREAS ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE ZAPORIZHZHIA ALUMINUM PLANT

Industrial areas of cities play a significant role in shaping the urban planning system. In the historical context, a large number of cities were formed around factories, which were the dominant and starting point in the formation of the city, and the rural areas were later inhabited by the "industrial core".
 In the existing urban planning structure of the city, it is difficult to find areas for construction in the center or on the borders of already established districts. Most industrial giants in Ukraine were created during the industrialization of the country in the 1930s. Entire cities were built around the factories under construction. On land plots outside the city limits or on the territories of decaying industrial enterprises, "ghost" areas are formed, which only hint that there was once a large production facility. Former zones of industrial enterprises and factories form empty territories in the dense urban development, with gaping holes in the city plan, surrounded by established residential areas. A similar situation has developed in the city of Zaporizhzhia.
 The city, which gained industrial development between the October Revolution and the Great Patriotic War, was home to Dniproges, Zaporizhstal, Dnipro Aluminum Plant, Zaporizhkoks, and others. Nowadays, the city is home to both city-forming enterprises (metallurgical and chemical industries) and a fairly large number of other industrial enterprises of various classes, some of which have long been outdated and decayed.
 The prerequisites for the renovation of post-industrial areas were considered, as well as the prospects for the impact of the renovation on the basis of the existing domestic and foreign experience were revealed.
 A number of different factors affecting renovation processes in the existing urban planning situation with the influence of all existing and possible processes have been identified.
 Prerequisites for the renovation of deteriorating industrial facilities and their territories are determined, using the example of the city of Zaporizhzhia Aluminum Plant.

Половозрастная структура мелких млекопитающих антропогенных районов Северного Казахстана

Исследование проводилось в весенне-летний период 2021 г. на территории Северного Казахстана, где располагается Павлодарская область. Рассматривались особенности в половой и возрастной структуре популяций, обитающих в окрестностях двух крупных предприятий тяжелой промышленности и контрольном участке. Источниками антропогенного воздействия являлись Павлодарский алюминиевый завод и Казахстанский электролизный завод. Цель исследования — определение зависимости половозрастной структуры мелких млекопитающих от близости к источнику техногенного загрязнения ареала. Территория исследования была поделена на импактную, буферную, фоновую и контрольную. Были сделаны выводы о перманентном воздействии загрязняющих веществ на организмы микромаммалий. Об этом свидетельствуют нарушения в соотношении количества самок и самцов в популяциях на участках, расположенных в окрестностях заводов. Наблюдалось повышение воспроизводства особей, плодовитость самок техногенных территорий была выше контрольных. Отличалось процентное соотношение сеголеток, взрослых и перезимовавших животных. В импактных территориях замечено самое большое количество молодых организмов и самое малое количество перезимовавших микро-маммалий. На контрольном участке отмечено преобладание взрослых и перезимовавших особей. Возрастная группа животных определялась по массе, размерам тела, относительным качествам, таким как состояние шерсти. Данные о влиянии антропогенного воздействия на половозрастную структуру сообществ и популяций данного региона отсутствуют, поэтому вопрос исследования является особо актуальным. Результаты исследования могут использоваться в планировании селитебных зон региона и организации природоохранных мероприятий.

Extraction of a perovskite from red mud and its photocatalytic reduction of CO2

The extensive utilization of red mud is an urgent problem for the worldwide alumina plants, and the extraction of titanium from the red mud is especially difficult. The extraction of perovskite from a red mud alkaline leaching slag (by using acid leaching), in addition to its photocatalytic reduction of CO2, have been investigated in the present study. The results showed that the photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance of the extracted perovskite was like that of pure synthesized perovskite After a reaction duration of 4 h, the yields of CO and CH4 reached 10.24 μmol·g−1, 2.85 μmol·g−1, respectively, which were 0.96 times and 0.99 times that of pure perovskite, respectively. This study provides a promising method to use the titanium, as recovered from red mud, and presents a novel idea for using hazardous waste for the photocatalytic reduction of CO2, which is beneficial for the sustainable development of the alumina industry.