Environmental modelling of aluminium recycling: a Life Cycle Assessment tool for sustainable metal management

摘要: The uncontrolled mixing of metals and their alloys during the different life cycle phases, combined with melt purification constraints remelting, pose great challenges end-of-life (EoL) treatment. In practice, open-loop recycling is typical more common for than closed-loop recycling; especially in case aluminium, industry operates a cascade approach. Associated are various types material losses; loss original functional quality, dissipation scarce resources final need dilution resulting metal impurities primary materials. Thus, an environmental assessment tool presented within this paper, aiming to support decision making related sustainable management secondary aluminium production. A blending model aims at minimization above mentioned losses order meet product quality requirements. goal study threefold: i) assess impact calculation recycling, ii) express, quantify integrate into Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies, iii) determine optimum input process from perspective. Different options or strategies can be evaluated compared based on avoided impact. Case studies focusing major post-consumer scrap streams used illustrate application areas highlight importance altering optimizing raw input. Finally, policy issues opportunities environmentally conscious discussed.