Calcium Aluminate Production from Non-metallic Residue of Aluminum White Dross in an EAF

Recycling of aluminum and its wastes gains attention day by day. Melting of scrap contributes to reducing energy demand by approximately 90-95% (174-186 MJ/kg primary, 10-20 MJ/kg secondary) and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Aluminum dross occurs during the production of both primary and secondary aluminum. The metallic aluminum rich part is separated from the non-metallic residue (NMR) by physical methods. Metallic-rich part is used for recycling while non-metallic residue is landfilled. NMR reacts with the groundwater. It increases the pH value of the water which resulting negative effects on the ecosystem. There is no usage area of this NMR industrially. In this study, calcium aluminate was produced from non-metallic residue of aluminum white dross (AWD) in an electric arc furnace (EAF). As the final product, calcium aluminate whose chemical composition is 4550% Al2O3 and 40-50% CaO was obtained within the scope of the circular economy approach.