24.03.2022
An aluminium alloy power cable was approved by leading oil companies as a replacement for flexible cable with copper conductor.
ELKAFLEX power flexible cable of AsKGm-KhL brand produced by Bogoslovsky Cable Plant (BKZ) LLC was approved for application by leading Russian oil companies. This was preceded by pilot field tests carried out at an oil company's service facilities.
ELKAFLEX cable with aluminium alloy conductors will be used as a replacement for flexible cable with copper conductor to provide temporary power supply. It is designed to connect mobile mechanisms – electric excavators, drilling trolleys, etc. – to power grids with a rated alternating voltage of 0.38 kV (0.22 / 0.38 kV), 0.66 kV (0.38 / 0.66 kV), 1 kV (0.6 / 1 kV) with a frequency of up to 400 Hz or with a rated constant voltage of 0.7 kV, 1 kV and 1.5 kV.
The conductors are made of an ultrafine-grained aluminium alloy, and the insulation and outer shell are made of a cold-resistant elastomer. Due to its high thermal and corrosion resistance, this alloy provides reliable contact at the cable joints. In addition, the AsKGm-KhL cable ELKAFLEX is cheaper and lighter than its copper analogues and is not of interest to illegal collectors of non-ferrous scrap.
FACT SHEET
Bogoslovsky Cable Plant produces self-supporting insulated cables and flexible aluminium and oil submersible cables. Using unique aluminium alloys in production, including those containing rare-earth metals, makes it possible to maintain and improve the physical properties of the products, as well as reduce their costs by 30-40% compared to copper-based analogues.
As part of the strategy to convert inefficient facilities, Oleg Deripaska, founder of UC RUSAL, suggested that new aluminium processing facilities be developed at Bogoslovsky Aluminium Smelter (BAZ) to produce competitive, high-value-added products, expand employment opportunities and create jobs.
In November 2016, UC RUSAL and ELKA-Cable Group signed a joint venture agreement to produce cable and conductor products. Financing of the project, in which each of the partners owns 50% of the equity, is being carried out on a parity basis. The total investment amounts to RUB 765 mln.