
252 Aluminum Recycling
the three types of explosion are Force 1 explosions, sometimes known as pops
or steam explosions (Epstein, 2007). Figure 14.4 shows a typical example; these
occur when water trapped under molten metal expands and throws a small amount
of metal (<4 kg) a short distance (<5 m). Less numerous are Force 2 explosions,
when the steam is trapped by something more resistant than just molten metal
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Injury rate (/100 workers)
Secondary smelting and
alloying of aluminum
Private industry
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
FIGURE 14.1 Injury rates in the secondary aluminum smelting industry and US primary
industry as a whole. (From ...