Alumina Refineries’ Next-Generation Transition (AlumiNEXTTM)Project

R&D Focus Areas:
Industrial heat processes

Lead Organisation:
University of Adelaide

Status:
Active

Start date:
November 2024

Completion date:
October 2027

Key contacts:
Lead Investigator: Dr. Woei Saw (University of Adelaide): woei.saw@adelaide.edu.au

Funding:
Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition CRC

Total project cost:
AUD$5,170,934 (cash and in-kind contributions)

Project summary description:
The AlumiNEXT™ Project explores innovative ways to decarbonise alumina refineries by transitioning from natural gas combustion to hydrogen or electrification in the calcination process and achieving net-zero steam generation and recovery within the Bayer Process (refining bauxite ore to produce alumina).

The project addresses the short-term need to: (a) de-risk relatively high technology readiness level (TRL) technologies that can retrofitted into current alumina refineries to reduce emissions; and (b) develop novel technologies to unlock a step-change in efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions, and reduced cost in next-generation net-zero refineries.

The project aims to de-risk high-readiness technologies with strong potential to reduce emissions and explores novel approaches to unlock significant efficiency gains using low-carbon energy sources. By targeting key processes in alumina production, the project aims to deliver practical, high-impact approaches to decarbonisation.

Related publications and key links:
Alumina refineries’ next-generation transition

Higher degree studies supported:
To be advised.

 

May 2025