We all know that aluminium production is not so "green", since the production cost (electricity, alumina, raw materials) is big, around 70% of the total cost. Moreover, the environmental footprint is huge.Thus, there is a trend regarding integrating the melting of Al-scrap, which is a very promising alternative for sustainable growth.
In this framework, there are two major categories of scrap material: the post-production scrap which is the scrap material produced as a waste by the aluminium semi-fabrication manufacturers during the production process and the post-consumer scrap, which includes all the final aluminium products that are disposed as waste after their use. Post-production scrap is usually cleaner, i.e. free of impurities, organic compounds etc, compared to the post-consumer material, while post-consumer scrap contains a level of around 8-10% impurities.
So, which could we say that are the main parameters that engineers and companies will have to examine to decide on whether to enter the post-production scrap market or the post-consumer scrap market? Is there any biggest risk if this choice fails, and what are the consequences? In addition, will consumers and market in general be more friendly and open to this kind of processing route?
Dear Spyridon Chaskis,
In my opinion, bringing aluminum production closer to the principles of sustainable development should be achieved through:
1. Development and improvement of waste segregation and scrap recycling technology, including aluminum scrap.
2. Creation of new innovative solutions in the field of biodegradable or recyclable materials (at significantly reduced costs) from other appropriately treated metal alloys and new types of organic materials (eg in construction applications). Best wishes,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
Dear Spyridon,
Another problem in aluminum production is the emission of greenhouse gases due to the consumption of carbon electrodes. Many articles have been written on this subject (see for example the review articles of Pawlek). On this subject, I would like to bring to your attention, our work on the additive manufacturing of inert anodes for the electrolysis of aluminum:
"A multimaterial based on metallic copper and spinel oxide made by powder bed laser fusion: A new nanostructured material for inert anode dedicated to aluminum electrolysis" I. Pasquet et al. DOI : 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2019.116452
Best regards.
Philippe Tailhades.
Dear Dr. Spyridon Chaskis ,
rather than continuing on a traditional technology development path, adopting new technologies – still in the research phase – could cut the emissions of direct greenhouse gases (GHGs) from aluminium production by 66% in 2050 and reduce the associated energy consumption by 21%. This is according to a new report from the European Joint Research Centre, which operates as the European Commission’s in-house science service, covering areas of research and development as well as outreach work and international cooperation.
The report maintains that reductions between 2010 and 2050 for primary aluminium production could be even higher, amounting to 72% and 23% respectively. The findings stem from an analysis of the current status of the aluminium industry in EU28 and Iceland, which quantifies the potential for GHG emission reduction and energy efficiency.
The current EU target for 2030 of reducing GHG emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels will support the long-term objective of cutting emissions by 80-95% by 2050 in the context of necessary reductions by developed countries as a group.
For more details, please see the source at:
-New, Green technologies could transform the European aluminium industry by 2050
By Ken Stanford (2016)
Available at: https://aluminiuminsider.com/new-green-technologies-could-transform-the-european-aluminium-industry-by-2050/
Best regards, Pierluigi Traverso
I agree with the perspective on recyclable alloys and inert anodes. In addition we should not forget the Red Mud problem. We produce more red mud than Aluminium in the primary production.
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