Queensland Alumina uses Siemens Technology to improve its alumina refining process

2021-09-15

Sep. 14, 2021 - Queensland Alumina (QAL) is reportedly obtaining five medium-voltage variable speed drives or VSDs from Siemens for continuing to improve its alumina refining process.

The order consists of three GH180 Perfect Harmony variable speed drives (VSDs), which will be used in place of the existing drive helping QAL to cut down the energy usage as well as other emissions. Along with this, two more variable speed drives will be connected with the boiler house ash pumps.

The initiative is a part of Queensland Alumina’s $400 million five-year environmental strategy program, also known as the 5-YES program.  The program will help in reducing environmental risk and emission due to capital improvements.

The five-year environmental strategy program sees QAL intention to invest in 60 capital modification projects and other cultural-change initiatives.

Paul Bulloch, the head of Siemens large drive application in Australia and New Zealand, says he is excited by QAL’s commitment to the telecommunications company.

He also said, “We’re proud to work closely with QAL, assisting them in achieving their targets of reduced energy consumption and emissions. QAL has a rich history in Gladstone spanning over 54 years. Their operations contribute to the economy on a local, national and global scale. It’s great to see them investing in cutting-edge technology that has a proven track record of helping reduce operating expenses globally from China and Singapore to Germany and Australia through higher productivity, faster project execution thanks to 30 per cent shorter commissioning times and maximised efficiency.”

In Australia, the GH180 Perfect Harmony variable speed drive has an installed base of over 780 units, and globally has 20,000 units. These units exceed 25 gigawatt of installed power capacity. Remote diagnostics from SiDrive IQ makes enhanced reliability possible.