Fluoride emissions, in the form of gaseous hydrogen fluoride and sodium and aluminium fluorides and unused cryolite as particulates, are the major undesirable fume component produced in the aluminium smelting process. Such emissions can be reduced through the use of fume control systems, operational good practice and improved technology.

Data Use

The data presented here is not suitable for life cycle assessment (LCA) purposes, rather data from the IAI life cycle inventory (LCI) report (http://www.world-aluminium.org/media/filer_public/2013/09/05/2010_life_cycle_inventory_report.pdf) or from alternative sources, such as regional aluminium associations or life cycle data providers, should be used.

Source of Data

The data included in this IAI Statistical Report have been derived from voluntary reports of IAI Member and non-Member companies, with technology-specific assumed performance for non-reporting facilities based on reporting companies.

Data Aggregation

The IAI Statistical System is designed to meet the requirement that, in general, individual company data be included only within appropriately aggregated totals and not be reported separately. Fluoride Emissions are aggregated by different technologies as follows:

• Prebake technology: uses multiple anodes in each cell, which are baked in a separate facility and attached to rods that suspend the anodes in the cell.
• Søderberg technology: uses a continuous anode which is delivered to the pot in the form of a paste, and which bakes in the cell itself.

Data Integrity

The IAI considers the figures shown to be reliable, but they may be subject to revision.

*Original online at http://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/fluoride-emissions/

See also

2007. Human Health Risk Assessment for Aluminium, Aluminium Oxide, and Aluminium Hydroxide. By Krewski D, Yokel RA, Nieboer E, Borchelt D, et al. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews 2007; 10(Suppl 1): 1–269.

April 2008: Protocol for Measurement of Tetrafluoromethane (CF4) and Hexafluoroethane (C2 F6) Emissions from Primary Aluminum Production. U.S. EPA and the International Aluminium Institute.

February 2013: The Global Aluminium Industry: 40 years from 1972, by Dr Carmine Nappi, International Aluminium Institute.

June 2017: Life Cycle Inventory Data and Environmental Metrics for the Primary Aluminium Industry: 2015 Data. Final. World Aluminium.