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Scrap Collection
MATERIALS LIFE CYCLE (HENSTOCK, 1996)
Figure 3.1 illustrates the life cycle in which raw materials are processed to generate
consumer products and then disposed of after the life of those products ends. In the
case of aluminum, the raw materials are the bauxite ore from which the metal is
generated, the petroleum coke used to produce anodes and cathodes, and the other
chemicals used in the Bayer process and the electrolytic cells. Primary production
is the process by which aluminum is extracted from the bauxite, electrowon from a
molten salt electrolyte, rened and cast into ingot or billet, and shipped to customers.
The engi ...