[saganite]

I read the article and wondered about this quote:

“Recycled aluminium requires only 5 per cent of the energy required to make “new” aluminium. Blending recycled metal with new metal allows considerable energy savings, as well as the efficient use of process heat. There is no difference between primary and recycled aluminium in terms of quality or properties”.

Does this not apply as regards the recycling mentioned in this article?

[from occupied ga]

Does this not apply as regards the recycling mentioned in this article?

No, because recycling metallic aluminum just involves remelting the already metallic form. When it's used in as fuel it goes to aluminum oxide, and needs the whole energy input of the original smelting/refining process to change it back form oxide to metallic aluminum. Currently about 15.7 kwh/lb.

[Myrddin]

Recycled aluminum in this context means aluminum metal from soft drink cans and other aluminum scrap. The waste product of the process described in this thread requires the massive amount of electrical power required to make new aluminum from bauxite.

[El Gato]

Does this not apply as regards the recycling mentioned in this article?

Nope, recycling aluminum is just melting it (to a first approximation), but reclaiming this alumina back into aluminum metal is equivalent, minus mining expenses and separating the alumina from the ore, getting the aluminum from the alumina in the bauxite ore in the first place.

[Dan(9698)]

“Recycled aluminium requires only 5 per cent of the energy required to make “new” aluminium.

Does this not apply as regards the recycling mentioned in this article?

No, the "recycled aluminum" they are talking about is still metallic aluminum.

After going through this process, the aluminum is in the form of aluminum oxide, or like the original ore.