Abstract: Scrap aluminum is reclaimed by a salt flux-based reclamation process using potassium chloride in place of the commonly used sodium chloride. The spent flux which remains after the recovery of the aluminum is useful as a soil fertilizer, with the potassium content of the flux serving as a source of potassium nutrient for the soil. The potassium in the spent flux is highly water soluble at all values of pH while the aluminum in the spent flux remains at a limited solubility, particularly under the conditions expected to be encountered in soil. Thus, despite the known phytotoxicity of aluminum and the presence of aluminum in the spent flux, the spent flux is discovered to be useful as a plant fertilizer with the maximum benefit from the potassium and minimal if any harm from the aluminum.

Abstract: A method of recovering an aluminum alloy and a stainless steel alloy from an air bag inflator 10 that has aluminum alloy parts, including an aluminum alloy housing 12 and non-aluminum alloy parts, including a non-aluminum gas filter 18. The non-aluminum parts have a higher melting temperature than the aluminum alloy parts of the air bag inflator 10. The method comprises heating the air bag inflator 10 in the range of the melting temperature of aluminum and then recovering the aluminum alloy which is not contaminated with the material of the higher melting temperature parts. After the aluminum alloy has melted from the air bag inflator 10, the non-aluminum parts are heated to a higher temperature to melt any stainless steel alloy from the non-aluminum parts. The stainless steel alloy is recovered as a high purity stainless steel alloy end product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a system that provides for a dual action fluid media circulating and fluid media charge entraining apparatus for use in a chamber having fluid media at a predetermined level into which fluid media a charge to be entrained and mixed is delivered. The apparatus of the system includes a rotary pumping impeller positioned in the chamber near a topmost region of an inlet passage in a wall of the chamber. The fluid media enters the chamber through the inlet passage. The rotary pumping impeller is provided with an inlet opening that draws fluid media vertically upward, to and through the rotary pumping impeller inlet opening to be delivered radially outward as the rotary pumping impeller rotates upon activation.The dual action apparatus further includes a vortex generating impeller which provided with an inlet opening. The vortex generating impeller is positioned in the fluid media in the chamber between the fluid inlet passage and an outlet passage in the wall.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for purifying waste gases from a secondary aluminum melting plant are provided, by which the individual waste gas flows are collected and thermally post-combusted, wherein the generation of the energy necessary for post-combustion is provided by waste substances of high caloric value.

Abstract: Utilization of metal chips, especially scrap metal chips, particularly brass and aluminum, by introduction of the metal chips into a pool of molten metal of which they are formed or an alloy thereof, with minimization of fuel cost, heat loss, and minimal conversion of the metal at the surface of the molten metal pool to metal oxide, as well as an increase in the yield of utilizable metal from the remelting or recycling operation, by maintaining a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal pool and optionally utilizing vaporized residual impurities from chips being recycled such as oil, lacquer, or similar vaporizable impurity to assist in maintaining the non-oxidizing atmosphere, thereby permitting elimination of impurity-removal steps previously required for preparation of the chips for recycling by introduction into such a molten metal pool, and thereby also conveniently and simultaneously substantially reducing environmental pollution from vaporizable contaminants, fumes, and decomposition

Abstract: An apparatus for melting down chips of, e.g., aluminum into a molten bath of a melting furnace for, e.g., aluminum. A charging vessel (10) is installed in the molten bath (2) of the melting furnace (1), and has an opening (11) kept above the surface (3) of the molten bath, an inlet port (12) through which molten metal (2) flows from the melting furnace (1 ) into the charging vessel (10), and an outlet port (13) located below the surface (3) of the molten bath. A discharge pipe (20) is attached to the discharge side of a pump (30) for conveying the molten metal (2), and has a sidewall provided with an intake port (24) connected with the outlet port (13) of the charging vessel (10) for returning the molten metal (2) into the melting furnace (1) through the discharge pipe (20). The apparatus can realize a drastically improved efficiency in melting chips (5), while preventing the oxidation of the chips (5).

Abstract: An aluminum furnace charging system including a movable charger assembly, a hydraulically operated ram assembly, a hydraulically operated elevator and aluminum furnace having a hydraulically operated door whereby aluminum billets and/or scrap aluminum loaded onto the elevator is automatically and quickly charged to the furnace so that heat loss from the furnace and escape of molten aluminum from within the furnace is minimized.

Abstract: A method for removing dissolved alkali metals and alkaline earth metals from aluminum is disclosed. The method comprises providing a body of molten aluminum containing the alkali metal and alkaline earth metals in a container and inductively moving the molten aluminum in upper regions of the body in a generally downward direction at outward regions of the body and in a generally upward direction in inner regions of the body. Fluoride values are added to the body to react with the alkali metals or alkaline earth metals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of melting aluminum scrap and removing skim therefrom having reduced amounts of aluminum contained therein. Melted scrap and salt is added to a body of molten aluminum in a skim removal bay and a layer containing salt and skim is collected on the surface of the body, the layer containing high levels of molten aluminum in lower regions of said layer. The layer is treated so that upper regions thereof contain reduced amounts of aluminum, the treating aiding molten aluminum in the layer to return to the body. A portion of the treated layer is removed from upper regions thereof, the portion comprised of salt, skim and aluminum.

Abstract: Spent potlinings from aluminum reduction cells are fed to an aluminum reclamation furnace as a partial replacement for or supplement to the molten salt flux used in the reclamation process. This rids the spent potlinings of materials which would leach into soil or groundwater if the potlinings were otherwise disposed of at dumpsites, rendering them suitable for dumping with no hazard to the environment. Benefits to the reclamation process may be had at the same by substituting the less expensive potlinings for the salt flux materials and by using the fuel potential of the potlinings to reduce the external fuel requirement.