Recycling of magnesium in Serbia

Abstract

In this paper are presented results of experimental investigation of processing of low grade unclean (oil-contaminated) and old metal scrap based on magnesium. Experimental investigations of pretreatment and smelting were conducted in laboratory scale and achieved results were verificated in industrial scale (Magnesium factory "Bela Stena" in Baljevac on Ibar, Serbia and Montenegro). Operation of pre-treatment included: mechanical treatment, sieving, dust separation, chemical treatment and drying for old magnesium scrap and for oil-contaminated scrap of sieving, deoiling treatment and drying. Experiments included following the influence of pre-treatment of metal scrap on metal recovery efficiency rate and shown that: processing of this kind of scrap is possible with metal recovery efficiency rate up to 90 %, depending on quality of scrap. Basing on the experimental results it is possible to design processing technology and in dependence on location and conditions suitable different main projects. These are the first investigations of magnesium scrap recycling in Serbia and Montenegro.