Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR)

Renewably powered Mechanical Vapor Recompression has the potential to replace fossil fuel use for steam generation in the Bayer alumina production process.

Electricity sourced from renewable energy would power compressors that turn waste vapor into steam which would then be used to provide refinery process heat.

MVR has the potential to reduce an alumina refinery’s carbon footprint by 70 percent and eliminate up to 35 percent of fresh water usage.

With support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Alcoa will soon launch a pilot MVR at our Wagerup refinery in Western Australia to test the process at scale.

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