Advances in Scrap Sorting Technology To Be Addressed at the Recycled Aluminum Conference

Fast, accurate, and reliable scrap metal sorting is fundamental to the efficiency and profitability of scrap recycling operations and secondary metal manufacturing. Advances in scrap sorting technology, including the use of handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers, have revolutionised the way that major scrap metal recyclers and processors conduct their business. It is commonplace among the world’s largest metals recyclers, as well as many smaller regional recyclers and independent yards to use XRF analyzers.

Did you know that, according to The Aluminum Association, nearly 90% of automotive aluminum scrap—more than a half-million tons a year—is recovered and recycled? As a result, there’s a need to have better separation of aluminum alloys. Aluminum is used in the automotive industry to reduce the weight of the vehicle and is typically alloyed with magnesium, manganese, and other elements to improve the components physical and chemical properties.

I will be discussing the latest XRF technology for the scrap metal industry at the 23rd International Recycled Aluminium Conference being held in Madrid, Spain, on November 16-18, 2015. According to the show website, “Aluminium recycling is moving ever more into the spotlight as companies around the world seek to incorporate more secondary feeds into their materials flow sheet and product lines. Scrap offers many economic benefits over prime metal and is pivotal in reducing a company’s carbon footprint at whatever stage in the value chain it stands. Aluminium recycling today is a global business with around 30-35% of all supply coming from secondary raw materials.”

However, the addition of scrap into the aluminum production line is a major challenge for the industry. Compared to the clean, neatly-packaged, and well-defined alumina raw material to which manufacturers are accustomed, post-consumer scrap is composed of a mixture of wrought and casting grades. The exact chemical composition of scrap, including the existence of contaminants or hazardous elements, is unknown. With end-product quality, process integrity, safety, and regulatory compliance at risk, accurate knowledge of the grade and composition of the scrap material being introduced into the process is a necessity. (See previous article Why Are Metal Scrap Yards Becoming Increasingly Important to the Aluminum Industry?)

Just as recycled aluminum is becoming more important to the industry, handheld xrf analyzers are becoming increasing important as well. XRF enables analysis and alloy identification of nearly every element of interest in virtually all types of metal alloys, from trace levels to pure metals, and everything in between. Make sure you attend my session if you are involved in the aluminum scrap industry, and if you can’t attend, send me a note below and I’ll send you a copy of my presentation.

Show Details:
23rd International Recycled Aluminium Conference
16 – 18 November 2015
Madrid, Spain
twitter: @MetalBulletin1

Session VI: Recycling for the 21st century: the overarching role of technology and innovation
Wednesday, November 19, 2015
12.00 noon Presentation
The changing role of aluminum scrap in automotive, aerospace etc and how portable XRF analyzers can aid scrap sorting.

INVOLVED IN RECYCLING OF GOLD?

Register for our Free Webinar: Nov. 10, 2015 — Precious Metals Testing – with special guest presenter Seth Gold, of American Jewelry and Loan.

Learn how you can accurately determine gold purity while identifying counterfeit or gold-plated items with Portable XRF. More info or register: http://info3.thermoscientific.com/precious-metals-testing-webinar?tracksrc=TFSSocialMediablog