Alcan/Alcoa process

A consolidated picture of the different processes for the production of aluminum is shown in Figure 6.25. There are altogether four processes (i) Alcan process (ii) Toth process (iii) Alcoa process and (iv) Bayer process. 

Figure 6.25 Flowsheets for Al extraction stream 1 Bayer process, 2 Alcoa process, 3 Toth process, 4 Alcan process.

Shaped products used for adsorbent purposes are generally less sophisticated and therefore less expensive than catalytic products. In 1985, it was reported that 10,000 t/yr of activated alumina adsorbents were produced in the United States. North American producers of Bayer process-based activated aluminas include Alcoa, La Roche (formerly Kaiser Chemicals), Discovery, and Alcan. Gel-based activated aluminas are produced by La Roche, Vista, and several of the major catalyst manufacturers. In Europe, principal sources of supply are Rhc ne-Poulenc and Condea. 

The Aluminum Company of America (known as Alcoa since 1999) was foimded in 1909 and became a msgor producer of aluminum by the HaU-Heroult process. Canada-based company Rio Tinto Alcan and Norvray-based Norsk Hydro are also msgor producers of aluminum. Msgnesium was first made commercially in Germany by I. G. Farben in the 1890 s, and later in the United States by Dow Chemical. In both instances, electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride was used to produce the magnesium. 

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