Objective
Worn out anode forks from aggressive alumina smelting conditions require efficient repair processes since they contribute around 16% of the heat lost during electrolysis. Currently, most of the repair is handled manually, giving room for human error, inconsistencies and high labour costs. There is also a high carbon footprint from the manual propane cutting and transportation of forks to a distant rodding plant.
The concept of our project, Auto-Anode, hinges on integrating automated anode repair modules, and at least doubling the speed, accuracy, efficiency, safety and accountability of the process. It will eliminate propane use and the need to transport forks to a separate workshop, thereby reducing the carbon footprint by ca 48t CO2 pa.
Automation for the various stages has largely been validated. The challenge lies now in ruggedising the machine vision and integrating the system. Undoubtedly, a properly integrated Auto-Anode system will be a game changer for the aluminium smelters, with yearly savings of up to €30 per ton of produced aluminium, and for our company, generating an accumulated net profit of €21.65 million by 2024. Besides compound savings by smelters, Europe could save up to €4.5million from potential imports of aluminium and give an edge in the lightweight automotive race, while cutting on greenhouse emissions. Imminently, SMEs within the value chain can enjoy increased profitability since the price of locally produced aluminium will be lower. Global savings of up €13million pa are possible due to the use of Auto-Anode.
To ensure a widespread uptake of this advanced process technology, beyond assuring technical, seamless excellence, we will carry out a detailed market study; conduct a technology watch and IPR strategy; consolidate supply chain partners; detail the exploitation and dissemination plan and finally elucidate the overall business plan.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrolysis
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computer vision
- social sciences sociology industrial relations automation
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry aliphatic compounds
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.2.1.2. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.2.1.5. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced manufacturing and processing
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H2020-EU.2.1.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Advanced materials
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H2020-EU.2.3.1. - Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
210 GARDABAER
Iceland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.