Title: Recovery of aluminium alloys and some valuable salts from Spent Bottle Covers

Authors: Mahmoud A. Rabah

Addresses: Chemical and Electrochemical Laboratory, Central Metallurgical R&D Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87 Helwan 11421, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: This work provides a method to prepare standard Al-alloy(s) and some salts of market value from Spent Bottle Covers (SBCs). Aluminium covers were separated from others made of iron or plastic by magnetic and flotation techniques. The aluminium covers were melted under flux. Metals went into the slag were leached using hydrochloric acid. Results obtained revealed that the removed paint decomposed to titanium dioxide by heating at 750°C for 30 min. Standard aluminium alloy(s) were prepared by addition of a primary master alloy. The extent of yield of Al-alloy(s) was a function of melting time, temperature and type of the flux used. A recovery factor of 96.8% was achieved. Acid leaching increased with increase in the molarity, stoichiometric ratio, leaching temperature and stirring conditions of the acid used. Thermodynamic and kinetic models were suggested to explain the reactions involved. The price of the products was significant.

Keywords: secondary aluminium; waste recycling; waste management; aluminium alloys; aluminium alloy recovery; light metals recycling; solid waste recovery; aluminium bottle covers; spent bottle covers; bottle tops; salt; thermodynamic modelling; kinetic modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2010.029707

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2010 Vol.5 No.1/2, pp.194 - 210

Published online: 01 Dec 2009 *

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