Mathematical model for estimating variation in specific energy consumption with respect to capacity utilization for aluminum smelting plant

Primary aluminum production involves refining of bauxite to alumina and smelting of alumina to aluminum. Smelting is an energy-intensive process and consumes 85–90% of the electrical energy consumption. Under the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE), PAT (Perform, Achieve, and Trade) has been developed, which is a market-based mechanism to improve energy efficiency in the energy-intensive large industries. By the end of the first PAT cycle I, the energy savings of 0.456 million tons of oil equivalent/year is expected to be achieved, which is around 7% of the total national energy saving targets assessed under PAT. To achieve the targeted energy saving and to ensure unbiased implementation of the PAT scheme, normalization factors were developed by JNARDDC as a sector expert. This paper presents the methodology adopted for the formulation of normalization factor for Indian aluminum electrolysis plants.