| Abstract |
A study was conducted for the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, to provide information which will lead to an increase in the recycling of mineral materials, in order to help conserve the Nation's mineral resources. Data were collected on energy requirements to recycle prompt industrial and obsolete scrap for nine metal commodities: Iron and steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, stainless steel, titanium, tin, and nickel and nickel alloys. Major process routes for recycling were considered. Starting from the first collection point through scrap preparation, transportation, smelting and/or refining to the molten metal, ingot, or other semi-finished form approximately equivalent to a primary metal of a similar composition. Available data for 1976 were collected on the amounts of each metal commodity recycled by major scrap categories. In addition, energy requirements were estimated for separating municipal solid wastes into four major categories: Refuse-derived fuel, magnetic, aluminum, and glass cullet fractions. Finally, areas of research were identified to enhance recycling and/or increase the efficiency of energy use. |
