Waste Aluminum Cans Research Articles

Synthesis of potash alum from waste aluminum cans for the purification of river water

Abstract This study explored the synthesis of potash alum from disposed aluminum cans for water purification. The effect of the labels on the cans on the yield of alum was also investigated as it is economically beneficial for industry. Single crystals of potash alum were obtained and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Through a series of jar test experiments, the characterized alum samples were used to purify river water samples. Some of the parameters investigated include; pH, turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results show that the alum samples were able to reduce the turbidity by 100 % and substantially decrease the TSS, TDS and COD over the five-hour period of study. However, there were slight increases in acidity and EC which could be corrected by other methods

Macro-encapsulation of metal balls prepared by waste aluminum cans in ceramic capsules with reserved space

Phase change materials (PCMs) form the core of thermal energy storage (TES) for enhancing solar and industrial waste heat recovery. Metals have attracted growing attention due to their unique advantages, including high latent heat storage and high thermal conductivity. The application of metallic PCMs in TES is limited by the absence of appropriate packaging technology. Volume expansion during the solid-liquid phase can cause breakage of the protective coatings. This study proposes a “double-layer coating, recycling inner layer” method for the encapsulation of metallic PCMs. Waste aluminum cans (WACs) were selected as the PCM for cost reasons. The alloy balls prepared using the WACs were sequentially coated with an alkane mixture and ceramic slurry. The alkane mixture melts and discharges during the baking process, leaving a void for the phase-change volume expansion. The shell was gradually densified, and the metallic PCM was completely encapsulated after the heat treatment. The prepared MAEPCMs heat-treated at 1200 °C showed excellent mechanical properties, high heat storage capacity, and thermal cycle stability. The force required for compressive failure was approximately 2623 N. In addition, the total heat storage capacity reached approximately 198.6 kJ/kg at the temperature range of 600–700 °C, of which the latent heat accounted for more than 98.5%. There was no erosion between the alloy and the shell material, and the cumulative mass change was less than 8 wt. % after 600 thermal cycles. This study provides a structurally stable and low-cost technique for the preparation of durable macro-encapsulated PCMs with a high heat storage capacity and high thermal conductivity.

Experimental studies on drying characteristics of green chilies in a solar dryer

Green and clean technology is the demand of today’s world. Solar dryer, for drying agriculture produce is one of the major applications of the solar energy. The flat plate air collector plays crucial role for drying the agricultural produce in solar dryer application. This research work, focuses on the design and development a solar collector for drying agriculture produces using waste aluminum cans of beverages. A solar air collector is designed and developed in the laboratory as per IS 1933, 2003 standard. A solar collector developed has been tested and an overall performance of the system is evaluated for three different mass flow rates (0.01 kg/s, 0.008 kg/s and 0.006 kg/s) for drying 15 kg of green chilies. The selective coating material made by mixing activated charcoal and black board paint is applied on the cylindrical curved surface of the tubes considering the critical radius of insulation. The inlet and outlet temperature of air has been recorded for different mass flow rate and the overall collector efficiency is calculated. Further, the moisture removal rate from green chilies is evaluated for every 30 minutes of time interval in a day. It is found that the efficiency is decrease with increase in mass flow rate. A maximum moisture removal rate of 88% is observed for a mass flow rate of 0.01 kg/s and the maximum efficiency of solar collector of 50.27%. is attained for a mass flow rate of 0.006 kg/s.

Improved freshwater generation via hemispherical solar desalination unit using paraffin wax as phase change material encapsulated in waste aluminium cans

The present work aims to increase the amount of water generated by the hemispherical solar still (HSS) using paraffin wax as phase change material (PCM) encapsulated in waste aluminium-cans in two different shape of square pattern (4 PCM cans) and triangular pattern (3 PCM cans). Furthermore, a comparative analysis for the conventional HSS over the modified HSS with PCM two different arrangements was carried out to optimize the most suitable mass of PCM. Results showed that PCM encapsulated in aluminium cans in square and triangular patterns placed in HSS basin augmented the clean water production by 92.80 % (full day water generation of 5.63 kg/m2) and 67.12 % (full day water generation of 4.88 kg/m2) respectively, as compared to the bare HSS without any PCM (full day water generation of 2.92 kg/m2). The effective utilization of the heat from the aluminium cans filled with paraffin wax augmented the potable water production with increased evaporation of water. The economic analysis revealed that with the use of PCM encapsulated cans in square and triangular pattern, the cost per liter of water produced reduced to 67.65 % and 45.31 % respectively than HSS without any PCM. It was concluded that the low-cost encapsulating material with excellent conductivity and maximum mass of PCM (4 PCM cans in present case) could be beneficial in generating higher amount of freshwater from brackish water.

Application of waste aluminum cans based nano alumina as reinforcing filler in natural rubber composites

Application of waste aluminum cans based nano alumina as reinforcing filler in natural rubber composites

Fabrication of ultra‐thin alumina membranes utilizing waste aluminum cans

AbstractWe report on utilizing waste aluminum cans for anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes fabrication. Aluminum (Al) presents in the cans is about 97 % tested via inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. Synthesis process of the AAO membranes includes heat‐treatment and surface polishing of the waste Al sheets, first anodization, aluminum oxide layer removing, second anodization, aluminum substrate separating and pore‐widening. Thickness and morphology of the prepared AAO membranes are observed through a field emission scanning electron microscopy. By controlling the second anodization time, the AAO membranes possess ultra‐thin thickness in the range of ~60‐650 nm. The average pore densities ~1.2 × 1010 and ~ 3.0 × 1010 hole/cm2 of the AAO membranes are obtained at constant anodization voltage of 40 and 25 V, respectively. Hole diameter of the AAO membranes can be varied from 30 to 95 nm via managing the pore‐widening time. The ultra‐thin AAO membranes with order nano‐hole arrays can be used as hard‐templates which are promising for unique nanostructures synthesis at low cost and environment friendly.

Improving Performance of Hemispherical Solar Distillation Unit Using Paraffin Wax Encapsulated in Waste Aluminium-Cans

Improving Performance of Hemispherical Solar Distillation Unit Using Paraffin Wax Encapsulated in Waste Aluminium-Cans

Hydrogen Production via Activated Waste Aluminum Cans and Its Potential for Methanation

The production of hydrogen via aluminum waste can powder (AWCP) prepared via disintegration and mechanochemical activation using metals was explored. AWCP and its composites were reacted in 1 M NaOH to produce hydrogen at standard temperature (25 °C) condition. Ternary AWCP (3% Sn–3% Mg) composite produced the highest amount of H2 (660 mL/0.5 g in 660 s) in terms of weight percentage of AWCP used as compared to the best binary AWCP (3% Sn) with 680 mL of H2 produced in 240 s. The activation metals contributed microgalvanic activity in AWCP, which in result yielded higher hydrolysis of AWCP. The undoped AWCP, binary, and ternary composites were tested for batch methanation at 220 °C using CO2 gas and Ni based catalyst. H2 produced from aluminum–water reaction was successfully used to produce CH4 via continuous methanation process. However, not all the H2 produced participated in the reaction. This was mainly due to the role of gas hourly space velocity and the performance of the catalyst. Undoped AWCP performed better than binary and ternary composite despite higher amount H2 produced due to the gas hourly space velocity. The potential of AWCP as a raw material for H2 production and simultaneous methanation has led to a promising solution of producing clean, sustainable, and economical energy for the future.

Improving the Properties of Black Cotton Soil using Aluminium Cans

Black cotton (BC) soil is a problematic soil, as it is expansive in nature. The swelling and shrinking characteristics in Black Cotton (BC) soil is imparted due to the presence of the mineral component montmorillonite. It is predominantly clay, black in colour with a smooth texture. Construction over this particular soil type is always challenging due to its low strength and less drainage property. This soil type is always a threat to the strength and stability of pavements and highways. Beverage cans are globally produced in huge amount. Aluminium cans are the largest source of aluminium in the waste stream. Also, recycling of aluminium continuously affects its quality. This study was an attempt to improve the shear strength characteristics of black cotton soil by using strips of waste aluminium cans as reinforcement. It is a cost effective and eco-friendly attempt. The usage of aluminium fibre increases the tensile strength of soil thereby improving its properties as a subgrade. Cans were cut into 3mm thick strips and were added to soil in 2, 4, 6 and 8% by dry weight. The compaction test, unconfined compression test, CBR test and free swell test were conducted on the aluminium strips reinforced soil. The results obtained from the study showed a significant enhancement in the soil properties such as maximum dry density, shear strength and CBR value.

Behaviors and Mechanism of Color, COD, and Silica Removals in the Electrocoagulation of Batik Wastewater Using Waste Aluminum Electrodes

Batik wastewater contains organic dyes, waxes, silicate, etc. that are environmentally problematic. Two plain waste aluminum cans were used as electrodes in a batch electrocoagulation (EC) process to remove color, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and silica from batik wastewater. Response surface methodology based on the central composite design was used to demonstrate the dependence of removal efficiency on four key process variables and possible interactions between them. The models were statistically evaluated and conditions for optimized color, COD, and silica removals were verified experimentally. Relatively stronger effects of current density were detected while interactions could be observed on the effects of pH with current density or process time. The floatation of silica scum resulted in increased removal and deviation from the model. The optimal operating conditions were achieved at a current density of 29.91 mA/cm2, an initial pH of 4.51, a reaction time of 24.93 min, and a NaCl dosage of 1.03 g/L that resulted in 88.13 ± 0.51%, 70.50 ± 3.17%, and 100.00 ± 0.00% removals of color, COD, and silica, respectively. The color, COD and pH of the batik wastewater were also reduced to 33 ADMI, 100 mg/L and 6.62 to meet the respective discharge standard limits. Silica content toughened the flocs and increased their buoyancy by strongly interacting with gas bubbles to float to the surface. EC was demonstrated to be an effective and cost-effective treatment technology for the treatment of batik wastewater.

Utilisation of wastes for low-cost synthesis of chitosan composites with nanosized sodium aluminium silicate hydrate and geopolymer/zeolite A for the removal of Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous media

ABSTRACT In this work, nanosized sodium aluminium silicate hydrate and geopolymer/zeolite A samples were obtained using hydrothermal and precipitation methods, respectively. In these methods, aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide were utilised for the extraction of aluminium and silicon from waste aluminium cans and rice husk ash, respectively. Also, chitosan composites with the aforementioned samples were fabricated. The properties of the obtained nanosized samples and their chitosan composites were identifiedutilizingFT-IR, XRD, HR-TEM, and FE-SEM tools. The average crystallite size of the sodium aluminium silicate hydrate and geopolymer/zeolite A samples is 39.72 and 22.56 nm, respectively. Moreover, the obtained nanosized samples and their chitosan composites were utilised as adsorbents for the effective uptake of Pb(II) and Hg(II) ions from aqueous media. The maximum capacities of sodium aluminium silicate hydrate, geopolymer/zeolite A, sodium aluminium silicate hydrate/chitosan, and geopolymer/zeolite A/chitosan adsorbents towards Hg(II) ions are 88.65, 125.94, 168.35, and 211.86 mg/g, respectively. The maximum capacities of the previous adsorbents towards Pb(II) ions are 123.61, 160.51, 211.86, and 269.54 mg/g, respectively. Furthermore, the uptake processes of Pb(II) and Hg(II) ions using the obtainednanosized samples and their chitosan composites are exothermic, chemical, spontaneous, and well-matched with Langmuir equilibrium isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

Utilization of rice husk and waste aluminum cans for the synthesis of some nanosized zeolite, zeolite/zeolite, and geopolymer/zeolite products for the efficient removal of Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions from aqueous media

In this paper, rice husk and waste aluminum cans were exploited as silicon and aluminum sources, respectively for the low-cost synthesis of some nanosized zeolite, zeolite/zeolite, and geopolymer/zeolite products. XRD confirmed that the synthesized geopolymer/zeolite products are geopolymer/zeolite A (has a crystallite size of 58.44 nm & abbreviated as G1) and geopolymer/faujasite (has a crystallite size of 25.58 and 20.26 nm & abbreviated as G2 and G3, respectively). Also, the synthesized zeolite products are sodium aluminum silicate hydrate (has a crystallite size of 27.65 and 41.85 nm & abbreviated as H1 and H2, respectively). Besides, the synthesized zeolite/zeolite product is sodium aluminum silicate hydrate/zeolite A (has a crystallite size of 66.01 nm and abbreviated as H3). Moreover, the synthesized products were characterized using other tools such as HR-TEM, FE-SEM, EDX, and FT-IR. The synthesized products were efficiently applied for removing Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions from aqueous media and wastewater which was taken from Abuzaabal- Qalyubiyah-Egypt. The maximum uptake capacity of G3 sample toward Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions is 134.24 ± 1.26, 126.26 ± 0.32, and 131.93 ± 0.87 mg/g, respectively. The uptake of the studied metal ions is spontaneous, chemical, exothermic, and fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-2nd-order kinetic model.

Hydrogen Gas Production Using Aluminum Waste Cans Powder Produced by Disintegration Method

Fossil fuels dependencies need to be stopped to safeguard the earth from further damage. This study focuses on the production of hydrogen (H2) gas using waste aluminum (Al) cans. Al waste cans were fed into disintegrator to produce fine powder. The hydrolysis performance of disintegrated powdered Al cans were compared with the commercial Al powder. The effect of different reaction temperatures (25 - 100°C); type of alkalis (NaOH, KOH and Ba (OH)2); and type of water sources (tap, deionized, ultrapure and distilled) for the hydrolysis process were analyzed. The Al powders were also characterized using different techniques to understand its behavior. It was found that powdered Al waste cans produced more H2 compared to commercial Al reported in the literature. The higher the reaction temperature, the higher the rate of H2 production. Deionized water maximizes the production of H2 compared to other types of water. Ba (OH)2 was found to be an unproductive alkaline for H2 production using powdered Al waste cans. The successful hydrolysis of powdered Al waste can in alkaline condition in this research has demonstrated as a cost-effective, clean and green alternative hydrogen production method.

Removal Efficiency of Acid Red 18 Dye from Aqueous Solution Using Different Aluminium-Based Electrode Materials by Electrocoagulation Process

This work compares commercial aluminium electrode for use in the treatment of wastewater by electrocoagulation process against waste aluminium cans electrode. The applicability of the waste aluminium cans electrode was tested for decolorization of Acid Red 18 dye as a model pollutant. The batch electrocoagulation process using both types of electrode was conducted at a current density of 25 mA/cm2, a pH of 3, an initial concentration of 100 mg/L and 25 min of reaction time. The elemental composition and surface morphology of both electrode materials and the sludge produced were analyzed using SEM-EDX to establish the correlation between the properties and characteristics of both electrode materials with their dye removal performance. The results demonstrated that waste aluminium cans performed better than commercial aluminium electrode with a removal efficiency of 100% in 25 min of reaction time. This was due to the higher Al dissolution of waste aluminium cans electrode that contributed to the larger amount of Al3+ released into the solution to consequently form more flocs to remove the dye molecules. In conclusion, the proposed waste aluminium electrode was considered as efficient and cost-effective and had the potential to replace the conventional ones in treating colored industrial wastewater using electrocoagulation process.

Effect of Coconut Shell Ash and Graphite Particles on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Recycled Aluminium Composites

The current high demand for aluminium (Al) matrix composites with improved physical and mechanical properties has resulted in growing concern in the production of hybrid composites of aluminium at a lower cost. In the present work, an effort has been made to develop a hybrid aluminium matrix composite from waste aluminium cans, coconut shell ash (150 µm) and graphite (150 µm) particles by stir casting method. Composites were prepared by reinforcing recycled aluminium alloy with a combination of 0,2,4,6,8 % weight (wt.) fraction of coconut shell ash (CSA) and constant 2 % wt. the fraction of graphite. The cast produced were machined in accordance with ASTM standard into an appropriate coupon for microstructural examination, density measurement, tensile, impact and hardness tests. The micrograph showed reasonably uniform distribution of CSA and graphite particles in the matrix of aluminium alloy. Casting defects such as shrinkage did not manifest and porosity are minimal. The results also revealed a reduction in density and impact energy within the range of 2.46-2.23 g/cm3 and 12.92-4.76 J respectively. Hardness and tensile strength increased within the range of 220.9-266.4 HV and 27-57 MPa respectively. The result reveals that, the overall reduction of density and impact strength together with improved hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the composites. The control sample confirmed the retention of the reinforcements in the aluminium matrix. This study has affirmed the suitability of recycled aluminium cans reinforced with graphite and coconut shell ash as a candidate material for the production of the most common automobile part.

Facile and affordable synthetic route of nano powder zeolite and its application in fast softening of water hardness

Herein, we proposed an affordable and facile way of treating the hardening of water from local groundwater and seawater sources. This was facilitated by synthesizing zeolitic materials via an effortless and affordable method from readily available disposed of waste materials. Firstly, by converting waste aluminium (scrap wire cables, takeaway foil, cans, and spray aerosol bottles) along with disposed of silica gel into active zeolitic materials with the aid of a conventional domestic microwave. Small amounts of the produced zeolites (NaX and NaA) were utilized in the removal of the hardness of water (10 g.L−1), showing elimination of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions within 30 min, removing 90 % of the total hardness (> 1000 ppm). The spent zeolite samples can be further used for more than two consequent cycles, then the regeneration can be promoted by using NaCl solution at ambient conditions. The total price for the synthesis of 1 kg of the zeolite produced herein is 14 $/kg. This is 70 % lower than the price of commercial zeolites available in the market. Our proposed facile route in zeolite preparation could potentially change the traditional costly softening treatment techniques. It also minimizes the use of extra chemical materials, templates and multi-step procedures. The excellent hardness removal capacity in groundwater and seawater using synthesized zeolite samples could open doors for various applications.

Highly efficient hydrolysis of magnetic milled powder from waste aluminum (Al) cans with low‐concentrated alkaline solution for hydrogen generation

Currently, recycling waste aluminum materials are of significant importance for reducing environmental pollution and improving economic efficiency. In this paper, aluminum (Al) powder prepared from waste Al cans with magnetic grinding method was directly used in hydrolysis for hydrogen generation. The prepared waste Al cans powder was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), and density analysis. The results showed that grinding time, NaOH concentration, and reaction temperature affected the hydrolysis rate and hydrogen yield markedly; 1 g of Al cans powder with grinding time of 40 minutes could produce 1296-mL hydrogen within 6 minutes under the optimal reaction conditions. The reaction kinetics study demonstrated that the hydrolysis of Al cans powder is kinetically controlled while hydrolysis of Al cans flakes is diffusively controlled. The hydrolysis mechanism was also predicted based on the experimental results and kinetic study. The generation of hydrogen from hydrolysis of waste Al cans powder with low-concentrated alkaline solution is a promising way to diminish environmental pollution and instrument corrosion.

Utilization of waste aluminum cans in the fabrication of hydroxysodalite nanoparticles and their chitosan biopolymer composites for the removal of Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions: Kinetic, equilibrium, and reusability studies

Hydroxysodalite nanoparticles (ZW5, ZW10, ZW15, and ZW20) with different crystallite sizes (46.43, 54.98, 62.69, and 64.12 nm, respectively) were hydrothermally synthesized from an aluminum waste. Also, different mmoles of sodium metasilicate pentahydrate as a silicon source (23.58, 47.17, 70.75, and 94.34, respectively) were utilized. In addition, chitosan composites with hydroxysodalite nanoparticles were synthesized (CZW5, CZW10, CZW15, and CZW20). XRD, EDS, and FT-IR were utilized to recognize the synthesized products and their functional group. Besides, FE-SEM and BET techniques were utilized to recognize the morphology and surface textures of the synthesized products. Moreover, Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions were successfully separated from aqueous solutions using the synthesized products. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the quantitative determination of Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions before and after the adsorption processes. In the case of Ni(II), the maximum adsorption capacities of ZW5 and CZW5 were 7.74 and 10.21 mg/g, respectively. But, their values in the case of Pb(II) were 12.41 and 17.85 mg/g, respectively. The kinetic study proved that the pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion models are more convenient to describe the adsorption of Ni(II) or Pb(II) ions using ZW5 or CZW5. Besides, equilibrium study proved that Langmuir isotherm greatly exceeded Freundlich in the description of the adsorption processes. Moreover, reusability study proved that these adsorbents are stable, promising, and can be used many times without losing its adsorption capacity toward Ni(II) or Pb(II) ions.

Synthesis of Nano Crystalline Gamma Alumina from Waste Cans

In the present study waste aluminium cans were recycled and converted to produce alumina catalyst. These cans contain more than 98% aluminum oxide in their structure and were successfully synthesized to produce nano sized gamma alumina under mild conditions. A comprehensive study was carried out in order to examine the effect of several important parameters on maximum yield of alumina that can be produced. These parameters were reactants mole ratios (1.5, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 5), sodium hydroxide concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 55%) and weights of aluminum cans (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 g). The compositions of alumina solution were determined by Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS); and maximum yield of alumina solution was 96.3% obtained at 2 mole ratios of reactants, 40% sodium hydroxide concentrations and 10g of aluminum cans respectively. Gamma alumina was acquired by hydrothermal treatment of alumina solution at pH 7 and calcination temperature of 550 ºC. The prepared catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/ desorption isotherms, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results showed good crystallinity of alumina as described by XRD patterns, with surface area of 311.149 m2/g, 0.36 cm3/g pore volume, 5.248 nm pore size and particle size of 68.56 nm respectively.

Preparation and characterization of mesoporous γ-Al2O3 recovered from aluminum cans waste and its use in the dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether

The present study includes synthesis of two γ-Al2O3 samples from waste aluminum cans using a simple precipitation method. Precipitation was carried out using two different precipitating agents (i.e. NaOH and NH4OH). The two prepared alumina samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. Surface acidity of γ-Al2O3 samples was measured by adsorption of two different probe molecules (i.e. pyridine and dimethyl pyridine) followed by desorption measurements using thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. Catalytic activity of the two prepared alumina samples towards the dehydration of methanol (to dimethyl ether) was studied in a fixed bed reactor at 300 °C. For comparison reasons, commercial γ-Al2O3 sample was, also, tested for the same catalytic reaction under the same conditions. Results showed that the alumina sample prepared using NaOH as a precipitating agent exhibited a better catalytic activity and stability compared with that prepared using NH4OH and showed a similar activity as the commercial γ-Al2O3 sample.