- Home
- Companies
- Regain Materials
- Products
- Regain - SPL Processing Technology
Regain - SPL Processing Technology
Regain’s robust proprietary technology accepts SPL with its inherent variation in size and chemical composition, eliminates the cyanide and explosive gas hazards and refines the material to manufacture high quality products. Regain takes SPL as it is delined from the reduction cells (pots) and processes it at the smelter site through a low capital cost detoxification system that eliminates the hazards in the SPL. The process addresses the extreme variability in chemical composition of SPL by refining the material to make a quality-controlled product that is tuned to the customer’s needs. This process has been proven since 2002 with more than 250,000 tonnes of SPL transformed by Regain.
SPL Preparation involves (a) recovery of material from storage or directly from pots, (b) primary segregation of aluminum metal, carbon materials and refractory materials, (c) sorting into like material streams and (d) crushing and size classification in preparation for further processing. The cyanide and explosion hazards in the SPL are eliminated through the SPL Treatment process. Mineral products with fluxing and mineralising properties are manufactured by processing the detoxified SPL material and other ingredients.
Regain processing plant can accept both first cut and second cut SPL from large lumps to very dusty fines. The robust chemical process is able to handle wide variations in the chemical composition of SPL.
Delivering this capability at low cost depends on safety, simplicity and reliability.
Regain processing plant is designed and manufactured to aluminum smelter plant standard for safety. Complex aspects of process are automated so that minimal specialized skills for either operations or a preventive maintenance program. External laboratories provide product testing and certification.
The Regain solution for Spent Potliner is an innovative model of industrial sustainability that has demonstrated proven benefits for the aluminum industry, end-users of the products and the environment.
Our Objectives:
- Cost effective solution for smelter waste
- Zero waste from smelter
- Positive impact on the environment
- 100% beneficial use of waste materials - no residue.
Benefits to Aluminum Industry
- 100% of Spent Potliner is transformed
- No residual waste materials
- Progressive elimination of SPL accumulated in storage
- Land filling of SPL eliminated
- On site transformation of SPL
- No hazardous waste transport
- Secure, established offtake markets
- Full material tracking and chain of custody controls
- Improved relations with community and regulatory agencies
Benefits to Cement Industries
- Cost effective chemicals and minerals for increased production, better quality products and reduced energy consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emission
- No hazardous waste storage & handling
- Quality products of consistent chemical composition
- Ongoing product support & optimization
Benefits to Community & Environment
- Reduced hazardous waste to landfill and risk of contaminating groundwater
- Reduced transport of hazardous waste
- Reduced greenhouse emissions
- Positive overall impact on the environment
The influences of risk and regulatory requirements regarding SPL, along with the needs of the cement industry, defined the drivers for the Regain SPL Solution.
Key Influences for Regain
Regain assessed the risks in dealing with Spent Potliner:
- Explosion hazard is the most significant risk, especially in transport and end-use
- Costs to the industry and the community to clean up SPL storage and landfill arehigh
- Workforce and community have concerns about cyanide in residues and groundwater
Regulatory Authorities are typically:
- Opposed to landfilling of SPL
- Reluctant to support for international exports of hazardous waste
- Sensitive to community reaction
Requirements of Cement Manufacturers:
- Biggest input cost is energy
- Significant environmental and community issues
- Seeking genuine economic value
Key Drivers for Regain
- Remove explosion and cyanide hazards
- Need reduced preparation and treatment costs
- Present products to cement manufacturers that offer value in energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reduction
- Remove incentive for end-users to charge for processing hazardous waste