Selective oxidation of automobile scrap. [Purification process for removal of copper, lead, and zinc]

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1972

OSTI ID:5407031

Peterson, R E; Prasky, C

Scrap iron is partially oxidized at elevated temperatures in the selective oxidation process to produce iron oxide and a dense residual metal of high purity. Investigation of the process was confined to converting automobile hulks into useful products. In one test series, compressed, sheared automobile scrap was processed at 1,000/sup 0/C in a 36-foot-long rotary kiln at feed rates ranging from 300 to 1,200 lb/hr. Less fuel was required to maintain the temperature at the higher feed rates because of the heat generated from the burning of the combustibles and the oxidation of the iron. The bulk density of the residual metal exceeded 75 pounds per cubic foot. In an attempt to lower the quantity of contaminants in the residual metal, another test was designed using automobile hulks that had been prepared by ripping, a low-cost method of scrap fragmentation. Before oxidizing the ripped scrap, approximately 62 percent of the total copper was removed in a tumbling, screening, magnetic separation, and hand-sorting system. Cast iron made from the residual metal obtained by selective oxidation contained 0.15 percent copper; iron oxide scale obtained from the kiln averaged 0.13 percent copper. Pellets made from the scale demonstrated compressive strengths necessary for blast furnace reduction; lead and zinc were removed by volatilization when the induration was performed in a reducing atmosphere.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Washington, D.C. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5407031
• Report Number(s): BM-RI-7614
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
AUTOMOBILES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON OXIDES
LEAD
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
METALS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RECYCLING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VEHICLES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
ZINC