Hatch partners with Alouette and restarts their first relined anode bake furnace in Quebec
Montreal, Quebec, Canada – Hatch, a global engineering, project management, and professional services firm, is thrilled to announce the restart of the first firing ramps of Alouette’s anode baking furnace No.1 (ABF-1) on June 22, following a refractory reline that was started this past spring. Alouette is the largest primary aluminium producer in North America.
Work began earlier this year for the reline of ABF-1 which will integrate a new furnace technology, allowing for an increase in the furnace's efficiency and operation. With the refractory installation nearly completed, the restart of their baking operations marks the next phase of this project. The refractory materials are designed to withstand the extreme heat and frequent thermal cycles typical of an anode bake furnace.
A second furnace reline (ABF-2) is planned for 2024. This work on ABF-1 and ABF-2 will ensure that Alouette can continue to efficiently produce aluminium, decrease its carbon footprint, and accommodate future growth. After successfully completing the FEL1 through FEL3 studies, Hatch was retained for FEL4 to manage the execution as an EPCM. This is Hatch’s fourth anode bake furnace reline project in Quebec in the last decade.
"We are pleased to partner with Alouette on this important project," said Joe Lombard, Global Managing Director of Metals at Hatch. "Our expertise in furnace relines and refractory materials is critical to the success of this project, and we look forward to helping Alouette increase the efficiency and reliability of its operations.
Alouette's President and Chief Executive Officer, Claude Gosselin, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership: "We are committed to maintaining our position as a leader in the aluminium industry, and this investment is an important component of that strategy. Hatch's team, with its experience and expertise, contributed to make this phase of the project a success."
Photo marking the transfer of all ABF-1 relined sections to Alouette Operations with the contractor, Alouette and Hatch Project teams
For more information about Hatch's engineering and consulting services, please visit their website at www.hatch.com.
About Hatch
Hatch is a global engineering consultancy firm that delivers innovative solutions to clients in the mining, metals, and energy industries. With over 65 years of experience and more than 10,000 professionals across 65 offices worldwide, Hatch has a proven track record of providing engineering and consulting services that drive value for clients.
About Alouette
Alouette is the largest aluminium smelter in the Americas, with a focus on sustainable, responsible production practices. The company operates a state-of-the-art aluminium smelter in Sept-Îles, Quebec, and is committed to investing in new technologies and processes to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. They are an ASI Certified Smelter.