Kristian Etienne Einarsrud visited Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) in May as a part of the CaNAl INTPART project between Canada and Norway. This is a network project for International Partnership for Excellent Education, Research and Innovation.

“Thanks to the CaNAl INTPART project, Norwegian and Canadian researchers alike have the possibility to make shorter and longer stays in Canada and Norway – respectively. Given the sound reputation of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) and a history of working in parallel but not (yet) together on aluminium reduction topics – I could not let this chance pass.” 

The visit was organized by Prof. Kiss who had proposed a full program during my stay, including visits to the group of Prof. Kiss – GRIPS – Groupe de Recherce en Ingenierie des Procédés et Systèmes  (the Research Group for Process and Systems Engineering)  and CURAL – Centre Universitaire de Recherce sur l’Aluminium (The University Center for Aluminium Research), the Rio Tinto Aluminium smelter in Alma and the Canadian National Research Council Aluminium Technology Center – CNRC-ATC. In exchange, we contributed to a full afternoon devoted multiphase flow modelling in aluminium production as well as information on CaNAl, IMA and SFI Metal Production – highlighting in particular our cross-disciplinary and cross-industrial traditions at NTNU and in the SFI.

The laboratories on the UQAC campus ranged from lab scale electrolysis cells and room temperature models equipped with for instance particle image velocimetry – PIV – to an industrial scale friction stir welding rig able to join 18 meter long pieces.  Experiences and possibilities related to both measurement of thermal properties and carbon, including a small-scale anode baking furnace, were discussed and demonstrated.  The facilities presented could easily be extended to other metals and could be a starting point for new activities for other partners of the SFI – also beyond aluminum.

The region of Saguenay is home to the only fjord in Canada – in that sense – even if you are far away, you will still feel at home – a notion further founded by the great hospitality of our new friends at UQAC.