The Steps followed in Scrap Metal Recycling
Metal ore mining and fabrication is one of the biggest inventions in human history. The ability to turn ore into bits of metal which can be used in the home, construction, and industry, changed the future of humanity permanently. However, the same invention has currently reached a place where the demand is more than the supply, and the result is that humans are exerting excessive pressure on the available resources, which is detrimental to the environment. Recycling of scrap metals is often seen as one of the ways in which individuals and industries can reuse the already mined and fabricated metal, reducing the pressure on the environment. Here, is the process usually followed in scrap metal recycling.
Collection and Sorting
The first step of the scrap recycling process is collection and sorting. Here, bins are distributed to municipals and other local collection centres. People put all the scrap metal they would like to recycle in the collection bins. The recycling company periodically collects these metals and sorts them into different categories. The sorting process is done at the industry level, and it is supposed to separate the recyclable metal from non-recyclable metal. The sorting process has to be done by a professional as superior quality standards have to be adhered to.
The Shredding and Processing
After sorting the metals into the recyclable and the non-recyclable metals, the next step is processing the metal. The process involves squeezing all the recyclable material using compaction machinery. The result of the squeezing is metals that are compact and occupy a smaller space. Then, shredding, which is the breaking down of the compacted metal into tiny pieces, follows. This process is useful because when the metal is broken down to pieces with a high surface area to volume ratio, they need less heat to smelt.
Purification and Solidification
The next part in the process is purifying the molten metal. Several procedures are followed in purifying the metal. The goal of purification is usually to ensure that the final product is free from any impurities. The common purification methods include electrolysis and the use of magnetism. When the molten metal is certified as pure, it is passed through a conveyor belt to a cooling chamber where it cools down and finally solidifies.
The final part of the process is the transportation of the solidified metal bars into the industries where they will be further made into useful pieces for both construction and industrial use. Understanding this process helps everyone in the recycling industry to properly follow the instructions of the process.