Composition Based Sorting of Aluminum Scrap from Aluminum Intensive Vehicles

The feasibility of applying laser induced optical emission spectroscopy to the high speed sorting of mixed-alloy aluminum scrap from automobiles has been established. The basic spectroscopy for analysing aluminum alloys for the major alloying elements is reviewed and key technical issues solved in developing the total sorting system are highlighted. Opportunities to apply this technology to the recycling of scrapped automobiles are discussed.