Performance Validation of Modified Compressors for Energy Efficiency
Alcoa
Location
Deschambault, Quebec
Year
2024
Sector
Services and expertise
Details
The requirements
Alcoa operates an aluminum smelter in Deschambault that specializes in the production of low-carbon primary aluminum. The site stands out for its integration of energy efficiency initiatives and its strategic importance in North America's supply of sustainable aluminum.
The mandate was to support Alcoa in validating the performance of new compressor heads as part of an energy efficiency project eligible for a Hydro-Québec subsidy. LDV conducted comparative tests on three compressors before and after modification to measure energy savings and document the results required for the measurement plan.
Mandate
The deliverables provided by LDV include:
Field testing campaign on three centrifugal compressors;
Comparison of performance with and without variable inlet vanes (IGV);
Demonstrated gains in energy efficiency, modulation capacity, and reduction of losses in load shedding mode;
Technical results used to support a request for financial assistance from Hydro-Québec.
