The Alcoa smelter in Baie-Comeau is comprised of three series of vertical stud Söderberg cells, built respectively in 1957, 1959 and 1970 (South Plant), and two series of prebake cells constructed in 1984 and 1990 (North Plant).

The modernization project provides for the replacement of the Söderberg cells by two new prebake potrooms, and the conversion of the existing prebake cells to a new high-amperage technology (BC240) developed at the Baie-Comeau smelter.

Specifically, the following activities are to be conducted:

South Plant

• Dismantling of the Söderberg series (equipment and buildings)
• Excavation and site preparation
• Construction of two new prebake potrooms (F-Series)
• Addition of related equipment (scrubbers, rectifiers)
• Dismantling of the Paste Plant

North Plant

• Addition of 10 cells to existing potrooms
• Addition of electrical equipment for implementation of new technology
• Cell upgrade without production loss

Yves Chatel, Major Project Director

The Söderberg lines will be shut down
before 2015 (south plant).

The prebakes lines of the north plant will be modernized.