The Approach to Zero Waste from Smelter and Secondary Dross Processing

Abstract:

Worldwide production of aluminium continues to grow even in the past economic slowdown period, at present the annual production is at approximately 65 million metric tons per annum. The production of aluminum has contributed to about 1% of global green house gases and all industry is under pressure to reduce these emissions. The industry is also responsible for 1.0 – 1.8 million tons of dross/salt slag landfill waste per year. The percentage of aluminum recycled, (currently about one third), continues to increase and may be looked upon as a cornerstone for the reduction of green house gases in aluminum processing. Recycled aluminum needs just 5% of the energy and emits only 5% of green house gases but the re-melting of scrap aluminum produces dross that presents its own environmental problems.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 693)
• Pages: 24-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.693.24
• Online since: July 2011
• Authors: David J. Roth

References

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