Accelerated electrons as an alternative to natural fuel in aluminum production technologies

Abstract

An approach to modernizing aluminum production technology based on an intense beam of accelerated electrons representing a principally new energy carrier for this production branch is proposed. Physicochemical principles for creating a new technology and reasons based on interest in modernization are discussed. Some peculiarities of the effect of accelerated electrons on the initiation of chemical reactions in liquid and solid materials used in aluminum production industry are considered. The energy balance of the classic thermal aluminum production technology is analyzed, and conclusions about engineering, economics, and the environmental advisability of developing an approach to modernizing aluminum production technology with a new energy carrier, an accelerated electron beam, is formulated based on theoretical and experimental data. The parameters of some electron accelerators that satisfy the conditions needed to develop the proposed technology even now are given.