Process For The Recovery Of Aluminum From Dross Without Use Of Salt Flux

A process has been developed to recover aluminum from dross which does not require the use of salt flux as commonly employed, This results in a salt-free residue which has potential industrial uses or alternatively can be safely land-filled. The dross is first heated by an air-fuel or oxy-fuel burner in a sealable rotary furnace. At a suitable temperature the burner is turned off and the temperature of the dross thereafter controlled by means of an atmosphere of oxidative and inert gases. When the free metal has agglomerated it is first discharged from the furnace, followed by the residues.