Aluminum baths are always covered with a layer of dross resulting from
the aluminum surface oxidation. This dross represents 1-10% of the me
lt and may contain up to 75 wt.% aluminum. Since aluminum production i
s highly energy intensive, dross recycling is very attractive from bot
h energy and economic standpoints. The conventional recycling process
using salt rotary furnaces is thermally inefficient and environmentall
y unacceptable because of the production of salt slags. Hydro-Quebec h
as developed a new technology using a rotary arc furnace with graphite
electrodes. This process provides aluminum recovery rates of 80-90%,
using a highly energy efficient, environmentally sound production meth
od.