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Sustainability Study of a New Solid-State Aluminum Chips Recycling Process: A Life Cycle Assessment Approach

Author

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  • Mohamad El Mehtedi

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Pasquale Buonadonna

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Mauro Carta

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Rayane El Mohtadi

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Alessandro Mele

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

  • Donato Morea

    (Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo, 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

Nowadays, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in all human activities has become crucial. This article presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) investigation conducted to evaluate the environmental benefits of a newly developed solid-state recycling process for aluminum chips, involving two steps: direct rolling and accumulative roll bonding. A comparison was made between this process and two current industrial methods of recycling aluminum scraps to obtain wrought products, which involve melting, casting, and subsequent rolling. The LCA analysis considered a scenario where 50% of the total electric requirement was met by photovoltaic energy. The results of the study indicate that in all examined impact categories, direct rolling has a lower environmental footprint compared to both traditional recycling and twin-roll cast technology. These results suggest that this new solid-state recycling procedure has significant potential to replace environmentally harmful melting processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamad El Mehtedi & Pasquale Buonadonna & Mauro Carta & Rayane El Mohtadi & Alessandro Mele & Donato Morea, 2023. "Sustainability Study of a New Solid-State Aluminum Chips Recycling Process: A Life Cycle Assessment Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11434-:d:1200855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hatayama, Hiroki & Daigo, Ichiro & Matsuno, Yasunari & Adachi, Yoshihiro, 2012. "Evolution of aluminum recycling initiated by the introduction of next-generation vehicles and scrap sorting technology," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 8-14.
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