Rio Tinto and ARENA study the use of hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions in alumina refining

Rio Tinto is working with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency ((ARENA)) to study whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in alumina refineries to reduce carbon emissions.

Rio Tinto will conduct a US $1.2 million feasibility study funded in conjunction with a US $580000 grant from ARENA to use clean hydrogen instead of natural gas in the refining calcination process at the Yarwun aumina refinery in Gladstone.

The research plan includes work to be done at Rio Tinto's Bundoora technology development centre in Melbourne, where Rio's internal development capacity has now been extended to hydrogen.

ARENA CEO Darren Miller (Darren Miller) said: "if we can replace fossil fuels with clean hydrogen in the alumina refining process, this will reduce carbon emissions and intensity in the refining phase of the aluminum supply chain. Exploring these new clean energy technologies and methods is a key step in the production of green aluminum.

This study will be used to develop a potential technology that will help decarbonize the Australian alumina industry. If successful, Rio Tinto's research technology and business experience may lead to the implementation of hydrogen calcination technology, which can be applied not only in Australia, but also around the world. "

Daniel van der West Hewson, acting managing director of Rio Tinto's Pacific operations, pointed out that the research funded by ARENA and Rio Tinto is a step towards reducing refinery emissions and is likely to play an important role in Rio Tinto's commitment to decarbonization.

Rio is investing in what needs to be done, not only to decarbonize a plant, but also to help Rio and the global aluminum industry provide a low-emission path.

Rio Tinto recognises that there is still a long way to go to reduce carbon emissions from operations, and it is clear that more work needs to be done. But projects like this are an important part of helping us achieve our goals.

The study includes two different work items:

Once completed, the study will inform the feasibility of potential demonstration projects. Rio Tinto has applied for a patent for the hydrogen calcination process.

Rio Tinto aims to achieve net zero emissions in its operations by 2050. Across the company, it aims to reduce absolute emissions by 15% by 2030 and reduce emission intensity by 30% compared with 2018.