Reliable Flue Gas Filtration for Major Alumina Expansion

Worsley Alumina Refinery – Western Australia

The Project

Worsley Alumina — a joint venture between BHP Billiton, Japan Alumina Associates and Sojitz Alumina — launched a $2.2 billion expansion to increase refinery capacity from 3.5 Mtpa to 4.6 Mtpa.

Additional power and steam were supplied by a new on-site multi-fuel cogeneration boiler, requiring strict compliance with environmental emission limits.


The Challenge

The boiler’s flue gas emissions needed to meet stringent Environmental Protection Act requirements while operating under:

  • High gas volumes
  • Variable fuel combinations
  • Elevated temperatures
  • Tight project timelines

A high-efficiency and reliable filtration system was critical.


The Solution

Nederman MikroPul secured the contract via Austrian Energy & Environment on behalf of Griffin Energy.

The solution included:

  • 10 custom S-Series Mikro-Pulsaire® bag filter modules
  • Long bag technology for high filtration efficiency
  • Two-stage inlet design to reduce filter wear
  • High-temperature filter media suited to multi-fuel operation
  • Full weatherproof penthouse enclosure
  • Fully assembled and insulated modules delivered to site

Pre-assembled delivery reduced installation time and simplified integration into the expansion program.

The Results


  • Successful commissioning
  • Stable, normal pressure drop
  • Ongoing compliance with emission limits
  • Original filter bags still in service

The system continues to provide reliable, long-term performance, supporting increased refinery capacity while ensuring environmental compliance.