
257Safety and Environmental Considerations
one of the major causes of steam explosions (Niedling and Scherbak, 2003), and as
a result preheating of any input to a melting furnace is now recommended (Jacoby,
2000). Any melting furnace with a built-in preheating system, such as a shaft or
tower furnace, is useful for water removal as well.
Charging and melting: Improving safety in the charging of aluminum scrap to a
melting furnace has three elements: separation of personnel from the process, placing
barriers between workers and the furnace, and personal protection of workers. The sep-
aration of personnel is the most effective of the three, and ...