A salt-free treatment of aluminum dross using plasma heating

Abstract

The plasma dross treatment process is similar in operation and equipment to the conventional RSF process, but its elimination of salt fluxes solves the problem of corrosive gas evolution, and also results in salt-free by-products (NMP), which are recyclable and are a marketable raw material for other industries. Labor and equipment demands are about the same for both processes, but the new process dispenses with the costs of salt purchase and landfilling or recycling of salt cake.

The new process is the first industrial application of plasma heating technology in the aluminum industry, and greatly reduces environmental risks, while providing a closed-loop, pollution-and waste-free dross treatment method.