Five Benefits of Recycling Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper, gold, lead, nickel, silver, zinc, and tin have been in use since early civilization. They can be found in alloys of two or more elements depending on structural needs. Manufacturing industries use non-ferrous metals to form a bulk of items that we see every day. From chugging down a bottle of soda to flying across the states, we take part in the aluminum cycle. We carry them around as coins, surrounded by them in buildings, etc. The constant need for these non-ferrous metals in a lot of commodities leads to unbalanced exploitation of the earth. Overexploitation poses a lot of dangers to the environment which makes recycling crucial in balancing the ever-growing needs of the world for non-ferrous metals.
What are the benefits of non-ferrous metal recycling?
The world depends on the primary production of an estimated 24million tons of aluminum alone to meet its non-ferrous needs. This stat is for one metal alone so you can imagine what the numbers will ramp up to when you sum all other non-ferrous metals. However, the resources for these non-ferrous metals are limited and there is a diminishing return on extraction and production costs. Hence, the need for recycling and reuse. The economical and environmental benefits of recycling non-ferrous metal scraps include;
● Free space in landfill sites and junkyards
● Safer working environment for those dealing with scraps
● Less energy consumption from all stages of mining, purification, and production processes. For example, to process recycled aluminum, you require only 5% of energy compared to the energy required for mining and processing.
● If lesser energy is consumed, there will be lesser pollution
● Recycling non-ferrous metal is a source of revenue and
What are the different methods of recycling non-ferrous metals?
Baling Non-Ferrous Metals
Recycling for most non-ferrous metals begins with baling. Firstly, recyclers gather different clippings, beverage cans, and other bulky non-ferrous metals. The different sizes of scraps are then fed to a baler using a conveyor belt. Depending on the baler, non-ferrous metals can either be compressed at high or low pressure. Balers such as T60XDRC successfully compress bulky metals with high pressure into dense balers. The high pressure makes it easy for remelting processes. Balers like the M60STD are used for balers that are to be stored, and transported for specialized requests. The bales they produce are less dense, uniformly sized, and compressed with low pressure. Bale sizes and weights are determined by the non-ferrous metal’s composition, size and the baler.
Electrowinning
Earlier, we mentioned that non-ferrous metals can exist in alloys. The electrowinning process is also known as electroextraction. Simply, the process involves extracting non-ferrous metals in their dissolved states with the use of electricity. This is achievable by first introducing the materials into a liquid solution that can dissolve the metals through a process known as leaching. The leachate or leach solution is used to submerge two electrodes - an anode and a cathode - which will allow the flow of current in the whole setup. During current flow, the metals are chemically reduced and attached to the surface of the cathode for easy recovery and reuse.
Precipitation
The precipitation method of recycling and recovery is advantageous when dealing with aqueous waste solutions. Precipitation is also used in wastewater treatment to recover non-ferrous metals from wastewater. There are two major processes involved in precipitation and they include; co-precipitation and adsorption. The pH of the solution is adjusted to cause the non-ferrous metals to form a solid insoluble material from their original aqueous state. The addition of other precipitants - chemical species - can also be used to achieve this process.
Use of Metal Sensors
Sensors efficiently sort out specific non-ferrous metals. This important process makes classification in the recycling industry easier. Traditionally, the sorting of metals involves sink-float gravimetric processes that depend on the density of the materials. The limitation to the sink float method is that most metals have similar densities. The second manual method of sorting is labor-intensive and takes time. Sensors use X-ray transmission technology to target the atomic density of different metals to achieve a less arbitrary separation.
Conclusion
Depending on the circumstances and what you need to achieve. Each method outlined above can be handy for the recovery and recycling process of non-ferrous metals. These methods are more complex than described in this article which intends to make these processes simple and within scope for those looking to join in making the world a better place.
At OERC we specialize in all recycling processes, we also buy scraps at competitive prices, an incentive to engage people to be more eco-friendly. Our network of clients and establishments across the world makes it easier for us to engage in the supply and distribution of various recycled raw materials to those who demand them. Reach out to us on anything that involves waste management and recycling.