Non-ferrous Scrap Research Articles

Magnetic Image Sensor for Detecting Ferrous Contaminants in Nonferrous Scraps

Magnetic Image Sensor for Detecting Ferrous Contaminants in Nonferrous Scraps

Identification of sustainable practices applied to ship recycling

Ship recycling activity plays a significant role for the circular economy by enabling the recovery of materials such as ferrous and non-ferrous scrap. However, the absence of efficient hazardous waste management and good health and safety conditions in some places has triggered action from the international community. Thus, regulations were created to establish requirements for operational safety and environmental protection. However, there is a lack of studies that identify the main sustainable practices applied in this sector, which can guide countries interested in operating in this segment. This study aims to identify the sustainable practices of the ship recycling supply chain to be developed in Brazil and analyze their relationships. Through the literature review, 27 sustainable practices were identified. A questionnaire was applied with the participation of 128 specialists from the maritime, naval, and oil sectors. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to identify sustainable practices and validate the structure of the theoretical model, respectively. The results showed that management practices have the most relevance for the establishment of the ship recycling supply chain, followed by collaborative practices. The strong positive relationship between these two groups of sustainable practices shows that as recycling companies and facilities are gearing up for this activity, collaborations and interactions between stakeholders will emerge. This research contributes to the limited literature regarding studies that address sustainable supply chain management in developing countries with a focus on ship recycling. In addition, it highlights aspects that can help in the formulation of regulations, awareness, and the development of strategies to implement good practices in Brazil and around the world.

Scrap Metal Classification Using Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy and Machine Vision

The need to recover and recycle material towards building a circular economy is increasingly a global imperative. Non-ferrous metals in particular are highly recyclable and can be extracted using processes such as eddy current separation. However, their further separation into recyclable groups based on metal or alloy continues to pose a challenge. Recently, we proposed a new technique to discriminate between non-ferrous metals: Magnetic induction spectroscopy (MIS) measures how a metal fragment scatters an excitation magnetic field over different frequencies. MIS is related to conductivity, which can be used to classify the fragment according to this property. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time the use of MIS with machine learning to classify non-ferrous scrap metals drawn from commercial waste streams. Two approaches are explored: (1) MIS over a bandwidth from 3 kHz to 90 kHz, and (2) the combination of MIS with physical colour of the metal samples. We show that MIS alone can obtain purity and recovery rates >80% for most metal groups and waste streams, rising to >93% for stainless steel. The exception was the Zorba waste stream where the mix of aluminium alloys within the sample set led to poor conductivity contrasts. The introduction of colour substantially improved results in this case, increasing purity and recovery rates by 20-35 percentage points. Of the machine learning models tested, we found that random forest, extra trees and support vector machine algorithms consistently achieved the highest performance.

Labor rationing as a promising tool for increasing the efficiency of industrial enterprises: relevance, problems and potential results onthe example of the ferrous and non-ferrous scrap industry

Labor rationing as a promising tool for increasing the efficiency of industrial enterprises: relevance, problems and potential results onthe example of the ferrous and non-ferrous scrap industry

High-Shear De-Gassing and De-Ironing of an Aluminum Casting Alloy Made Directly from Aluminum End-of-Life Vehicle Scrap

High-shear melt conditioning (HSMC) technology was used for degassing and de-ironing of an aluminum alloy recovered from the Zorba cast fraction of the non-ferrous scrap from shredded end-of-life vehicles. The results showed that the recovery of aluminum alloys from the Zorba cast fraction was more than 80%. High-shear melt conditioning improved the degassing process during melt treatment in comparison with the adding of degassing tablets. The efficiency of the de-ironing process using HSMC increased by up to 24% after, increasing the Mn content to 0.8% in the melt. Adding Mn to Zorba melt enhanced the de-ironing process and eliminated the formation of β-AlFeSi intermetallic particles, which have a detrimental effect on both the mechanical and corrosion properties of the alloy.

Time series research in the non-ferrous scrap recycling sector with identification of trend-seasonal components by Chetverikov method

The article is devoted to identifying of trend-seasonal components using iterative methods of the non-ferrous scrap metal collection filtering. According to the study objectives and the results of the time series characteristics analysis, the Chetverikov method implementation as a method for data filtering is described stepwise. Calculations and construction of diagrams were carried out in MS Excel. The study result is a visualized stepwise filtering of the trend-seasonal time series of the non-ferrous scrap mass in two positions - copper and brass, as well as the values of the seasonal component and specific seasonality indices calculated using the Chetverikov method, which makes it possible to study further the use and predicting of the non-ferrous metal scrap collection rate in the region, to select effective forecasting methods and models.

Ancient Rus Metallurgical Complex at Kopyriv Kinets

The article is devoted to the results of studies of several archaeological sites related to the production and processing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. During archaeological research of the Ancient Rus settlement in the Kopyriv Kinets in Kyiv, on the excavation site of 2017 at Kudriavska st., 24-A, a large number of archaeological sites of various purposes were discovered and explored, among which two nearby industrial buildings of a rather complex structure turned out to be interesting. Having carefully studied the design features, stratigraphy, the fairly dense and saturated with a variety of finds buildings Nos. 1-2, the following results can be considered. Production building No. 1, at first could have been used to obtain iron, since the remains of a metallurgical hearth and a significant amount of iron krits and slags were found in it. Moreover, here massively (?) could have been produced iron products by forging. Production building No. 2 was the most likely used primarily for foundry. Here, raw materials in the form of non-ferrous scrap (trimmings, strips and plates) could be smelted for further casting of copper/bronze products. This process was successfully promoted by a furnace made of stones and plinthite, the heat of which was sufficient for this production process. With the advent of the building No. 2, the functioning of the building No. 1 continued for some time, since colored scrap and copper-bronze slag were also found in it. It is possible that for some time in the kiln of the building No. 1, in parallel with the manufacture of iron and iron products, they were engaged in the smelting of copper and bronze. As for the time of existence of these structures, considerably they were built gradually, one after another. The first one in XI century there is the building No. 1, and then – in the second half of XI century the building No. 2 appeared next to it, which continues to function at the beginning of XII century. Thus, buildings No. 1 and No. 2, obviously, formed a single complex of impressive size, which specialized in the production and processing of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Application of multi-stage vacuum distillation for secondary resource recovery: potential recovery method of cadmium telluride photovoltaic waste

With the widespread use of cadmium telluride solar cells, environmental protection, and effective recycling approaches for solar cell component waste have become topics of concern. As an emerging metal smelting technology, vacuum metallurgy technology has broad application prospects in primary metal refining and the recycling of secondary non-ferrous scraps. Thus, this study proposes a new method for the separation and recovery of rare metals from cadmium telluride waste through sulfur smelting and vacuum distillation. In this process, sulfur is smelted with cadmium telluride to produce tellurium with a high vapor pressure. The tellurium was then separated and purified by multi-stage vacuum distillation. The results show that the tellurium purity can reach up to 99.97% and the tellurium recovery rate was above 99%. The cadmium and sulfur contents in the tellurium were 0.0061% and 0.0194%, respectively. Moreover, the cadmium sulfide produced during the smelting process can be enriched by vacuum distillation, resulting in 99.6% purity. This technology strongly aligns with the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” principle for solid waste, and provides a basis for the sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry.

MATHEMATICAL SIMULATION OF A LINEAR INDUCTION MOTOR FOR COLOR METALS SEPARATION

Non-ferrous and metal scrap separation nowadays is becoming more and more actual problem. There are several traditional methods of separating ferrous and non-ferrous metal waste. To automate this process, it is necessary to use mechanized systems based on linear induction motors. This paper is presented to the study of such type object. In this paper several field mathematical models have been developed, which are implemented by the finite element method in Comsol Multiphysics software package. The object of the study is a linear three-phase induction motor which is constructed for the non-ferrous metal scrap separation. With the help of the developed mathematical model the basic parameters and characteristics of a linear motor are calculated and the optimal limits of its operation are determined and the minimum configuration of the scrap is required for its reliable separation. A series of calculations was performed to determine the optimal operating modes of the linear separator and to formulate recommendations for the practical implementation of the experimental one. In this paper relation between electrical conductivity and force was calculated. It was performed due to optimal practical recommendations, which are used in real life operation.

QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF NONFERROUS METALS RECOVERED FROM LANDFILL MINING: A CASE STUDY IN BELGIUM

Nonferrous metals (NFM) contribute the most to the revenues that might be generated by the implementation of landfill mining (LFM). However, metals in landfills undergo stronger degradation compared to that of their normal use, which might lead to a lower scrap quality compared to conventional scrap. Nowadays, there is information about the most common metals found in LFM, but no reliable data about their quality. In general, excavated landfill material is processed mechanically through different steps, such as particle size separation and metal classification by magnetic and eddy current separation. The subject of this work is the characterisation of NFM recovered from a landfill in Belgium with the goal to assess the quality of metals for marketing purposes. In this study, two questions about the real concentration of metals and the marketability of NFM are discussed. A primary evaluation shows that there is around 5 kg of NFM per ton of excavated material processed at the Mont-Saint-Guibert landfill. Besides, through thermal treatment, it was possible to find out that on average only 70 wt% of the NFM is metallic being the rest, defilements (30 wt%) strongly attached. As a result, a technical assessment was carried out following two approaches. In the first approach, 7 types of scraps can be potentially recovered from NFM: two different qualities of Al scrap, two of Cu, one of Pb, one of Zn, and one of stainless steel. In the second approach, NFM might be commercialised directly from the landfill as a mixed nonferrous scrap.

Recovering Aluminium for Recycling in Reusable Backyard Foundry that Melts Aluminium Cans

In a world which is increasingly demanding sustainability, nonferrous metal recycling has become a very important practice. Millions of tons of nonferrous scrap are recovered annually and used by smelters, refiners, ingot makers, foundries, and other manufacturers. Secondary materials are essential to the industry’s survival because even new metals often require the combined use of recycled materials. The recovered materials are melted down in a furnace, poured into casters and shaped into ingots. These ingots are either used in the foundry industry or they can be transformed into flat sheets and other wrought products, which are then used to manufacture new products. Aluminium offers intelligent and practical solutions to recovering for recycling. The main activities described in this article are carried out during the experimental phase of the research and they are oriented towards the recovering aluminium for recycling. The objective of the research is to develop some recycling facilities for re–smelt and re–cast of aluminium by using charcoal briquettes into a mini metal foundry, designed and manufactured in laboratory. In this research we experimented a reusable backyard foundry that melts aluminium cans (soda and beer) easily and safely.

Classification of Nonferrous Metals Using Magnetic Induction Spectroscopy

Recycling automotive, electronic, and other end-of-life waste liberates large quantities of metals, which can be returned to the supply chain. Sorting the nonferrous metals, however, is not straightforward. Common methods range from laborious hand-sorting to expensive and environmentally deleterious wet processes. The goal is to move toward dry processes, such as induction sensors and vision systems, which can identify and sort nonferrous scrap efficiently and economically. In this paper, we present a new classification method using magnetic induction spectroscopy (MIS) to sort three high-value metals that make up the majority of the nonferrous fraction—copper, aluminum, and brass. Two approaches are investigated: the first uses MIS with a set of geometric features returned by a vision system, where metal fragments are matched to known test pieces from a training set. The second approach uses MIS only . A surprisingly effective classifier can be constructed by combining the MIS frequency components in a manner determined by how eddy currents circulate in the metal fragment. An average precision and recall (purity and recovery rate) of around 92% was shown. This has significant industrial relevance, as the MIS-only classifier is simple, scalable, and straightforward to implement on existing commercial sorting lines.

Analysis of recycling of non-ferrous metals as a part of recycling of sea-going ships

The object of research is the processes of recycling non-ferrous metals in the recycling of sea-going ships. Recycling is the main direction for development of non-ferrous metallurgy. As the world experience shows, the use of secondary raw materials is more economically effective and environmentally safer than the use of primary resources. One of the most problematic places is the lack of recycling and modern environmental recycling technologies in Ukraine. In the study, the analysis method was used to study the dynamics of copper production in the world and the method of classification when considering the properties, the use of non-ferrous metals in shipbuilding, and also when identifying potential consumers of non-ferrous metals . In paper the analysis of properties of non-ferrous metals used in ship-building is carried out, their application in a ship design is shown. The analysis of enterprises of Ukraine, which are the main potential consumers of non-ferrous metals, as recyclables, is carried out. The largest non-ferrous metal processing plant in Ukraine – OJSC «Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant» (Bakhmut) – uses only non-ferrous scrap as its raw material. The rationale for the role of secondary scrap in the development of the production of non-ferrous metals in Ukraine is obtained. The dynamics of copper production in the world is analyzed. It is emphasized that the methodology used in Ukraine for assessing the benefits of different recycling classes is obsolete and does not allow correctly calculating the revenue and expenditure parts and assessing the risks. Due to the changes in the integrated approach in assessing the economic efficiency of the use of new technologies in production, the adoption of the state program for the recycling of sea-going ships can provide an increase in annual profits, the period of recoupment of costs, profitability, and the percentage of non-ferrous metal recycling.

Recoveries of rare elements Ga, Ge, In and Sn from waste electric and electronic equipment through secondary copper smelting

The recycling and recovery of valuable metals from waste materials is one of the key issues in maintaining the sustainability of base and rare metals. Especially WEEE (Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment) can be considered as a high potential resource for a number of valuable and critical metals like gallium, germanium and indium. During the mechanical processing of WEEE, these metals are primary separated into the non-ferrous scrap fractions, including copper fraction. As a consequence, the behavior of these valuable metals and the possibility of their recycling in secondary copper smelting are of great interest. This study experimentally investigates the distribution behavior of indium, gallium, germanium and tin between metallic copper and lime-free / lime-containing alumina iron silicate slags (LCu/s[Me] = [Me]Copper/(Me)Slag), as well as between solid Al-Fe spinel and slags (Lsp/s[Me] = {Me}spinel/(Me)slag). Moreover, the copper-slag-spinel equilibrium systems are examined. The experiments were executed simulating high alumina-bearing copper scrap smelting in typical black copper smelting conditions of pO2 = 10−10–10−5 atm (1 atm = 1.01325 × 105 Pa) and T = 1300 °C. The experimental technique employed utilized a highly advanced equilibration-rapid quenching method followed by Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (EPMA).The results show that tin and indium can be efficiently recovered into the copper phase in reducing process conditions (pO2 below 10−7 atm), whereas gallium dissolved preferentially into the solid spinel phase in all conditions examined. Gallium dissolution into slag and spinel was found to occur as GaO1.5, whereas indium in spinel was determined to be as InO1.5. In addition, germanium was seen to distribute preferentially into the copper phase with LCu/s[Ge] = 2–4, although its concentrations in all phases present were relatively low. Thus, the main route for germanium can be considered to be vaporization.

Novel Sol–Gel Synthesis of MgZr4P6O24 Composite Solid Electrolyte and Newer Insight into the Mg2+-Ion Conducting Properties Using Impedance Spectroscopy

Magnesium zirconium phosphate, MgZr4P6O24 (MZP), is a magnesium ion conducting ceramic material with potential for application as solid electrolyte in high temperature electrochemical sensor in non-ferrous scrap metal refining and virgin metal alloying operations. In this work, MZP was synthesized using a simple but novel and economical sol–gel route at a significantly reduced temperature. An insight into the calcination process and possible phase transformation at higher temperature was obtained using simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC). Phase identification of the synthesized material was studied after calcining the powder at 900 °C for 3 h using X-ray diffraction (XRD); a single monoclinic phase was observed at that temperature. However, a trace amount of possible minor second phase, zirconium oxide phosphate [Zr2(PO4)2O], was formed after heating at temperatures T ≥ 1000 °C. Impedance spectroscopy measurements on platinized sintered-MZP pellets were ...

Recycling plastics from automotive shredder residues: a review

Automotive shredder residue (ASR) is an inevitable by-product of car recycling, i.e. removal of all liquids and hazardous or valuable components from the car and shredding of the hulk, followed by the recovery of steel, iron, and non-ferrous scrap. The European Union (EU) ELV Directive requires attaining higher recovery and recycling rates, resulting in a reduction of the amount of ASR going to landfill. The most plausible methods to achieve a considerable reduction of ASR are as follows: either recycling of separated materials and dismantled bulky parts, such as bumpers, dashboards, cushions, and front and rear windows, or else systematic sorting of the commingled and size-reduced materials, resulting from shredding. After a brief comparison of the actual situation in the EU, the USA, and Japan, the characteristics of actual ASR are reviewed, as well as some of the most prominent efforts made to separate and recycle specific fractions, such as polyolefins, ABS, or polyurethane. Attention is paid to some major players in the EU and to some of the pitfalls that besiege these ventures.

Treatment of exhaust fluorescent lamps to recover yttrium: Experimental and process analyses

The paper deals with recovery of yttrium from fluorescent powder coming from dismantling of spent fluorescent tubes. Metals are leached by using different acids (nitric, hydrochloric and sulphuric) and ammonia in different leaching tests. These tests show that ammonia is not suitable to recover yttrium, whereas HNO 3 produces toxic vapours. A full factorial design is carried out with HCl and H 2SO 4 to evaluate the influence of operating factors. HCl and H 2SO 4 leaching systems give similar results in terms of yttrium extraction yield, but the last one allows to reduce calcium extraction with subsequent advantage during recovery of yttrium compounds in the downstream. The greatest extraction of yttrium is obtained by 20% w/v S/ L ratio, 4 N H 2SO 4 concentration and 90 °C. Yttrium and calcium yields are nearly 85% and 5%, respectively. The analysis of variance shows that acid concentration alone and interaction between acid and pulp density have a significant positive effect on yttrium solubilization for both HCl and H 2SO 4 medium. Two models are empirically developed to estimate yttrium and calcium concentration during leaching. Precipitation tests demonstrate that at least the stoichiometric amount of oxalic acid is necessary to recover yttrium efficiently and a pure yttrium oxalate n-hydrate can be produced (99% grade). The process is economically feasible if other components of the fluorescent lamps (glass, ferrous and non-ferrous scraps) are recovered after the equipment dismantling and valorized, besides the cost that is usually paid to recycling companies for collection, treatment or final disposal of such fluorescent powders.

Recycling of Titanium Machined Chips as an Energy Absorption Material

Machined titanium chips are normally recycled as non-ferrous scrap metal, however, one approach is to recycle titanium chips to construct as lightweight sandwich panel with high energy absorption capabilities. The development of advanced ballistic protection systems that are lightweight while still providing superior energy absorption capacities is a challenge. This study reports the ballistic impact performance of sandwich panel made of Kevlar woven fabric and recycled materials, namely, titanium chips. Titanium is a lightweight material compared with steel however possesses much stronger energy absorption. Sandwich panels were constructed using titanium chips, together with layers of Kevlar woven fabric and a polymeric material. The enhancement of Kevlar woven fabric with titanium chips further strengthens sandwich panel especially in ballistic impact performance. Ballistic impact tests using a nitrogen powered gas gun firing projectiles with impact velocities range from 300 - 350 ms-1 was carried out. Bonding of the titanium chips with a polymeric material is crucial for the overall ballistic performance. This study proved that reduction in layers of Kevlar fabric is possible by substitution of lightweight material such as titanium chips as energy absorption materials.

Modern technologies for processing ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal

This article discusses the advantages of medium-frequency induction furnaces and refining units based on them that can be used to refine both ferrous and nonferrous metals. Due to automation of the processes that take place in these furnaces and reductions made in atmospheric emissions and noise level’ they are highly efficient and cost-effective’ consume small amounts of electric power’ and are convenient and safe to operate. The induction refining units made by the company RELTEK can be built with automatic charging and weighing equipment that will not only reduce staffing requirements but also accurately account for the metal that is remelted. Automation of furnace-charging increases these units’ productivity by shortening the amount of time spent on auxiliary operations.

The high-speed identification and sorting of nonferrous scrap

There are various approaches to sorting alloys. Perhaps the most simple method and one which is in greatest use today is hand sortation, which is normally a rather inaccurate process. An opportunity exists to recover low-grade nonferrous scrap by sorting it into various alloys with high accuracy by applying spectrographic analysis techniques. This article presents an alternative method for scrap identification and sortation in which optoelectronics are utilized to make a rapid and accurate identification of the scrap item. The scrap is then sorted automatically without operator intervention.