Constellium R&D Approach in Recycling, From Lab to Industrial Scale

Abstract

Tilting Rotating Furnace (TRF) is a widely used technology for aluminium scrap recycling. Although being based on a very simple concept, the optimal operating conditions are not easy to define due to the large number of process parameters and antagonist performance indicators (e.g. productivity, metal recovery, emissions). In order to improve process understanding, a lab TRF has been developed to investigate the effect of key parameters and identify the mechanisms governing the process performance. R&D achievements done for the recycling of Used Beverage Cans (UBC) with this lab furnace are presented together with their implementation at industrial scale. As an example, we quantified the effect of burner settings, salt flux chemistry, scrap contamination on metal recovery. Environmental concerns were also considered in the study. An approach to reduce the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) during UBC recycling was developed. Mechanisms are proposed and recommendations were implemented at industrial scale.