Importance

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Abstract

A system for removing volatile coatings from scrap aluminum, such as expended beverage cans, includes a kiln, a fan for generating an airstream, an afterburner for heating the airstream, and ducting for confining the airstream in a closed loop so that it circulates through the afterburner, the kiln and back to the fan in that order. The ducting includes a bypass duct into which a portion of the airstream is diverted at a diverter value, before being heated by the afterburner. This portion reenters the heated portion of the airstream downstream from the afterburner and serves to modulate the temperature of the airstream entering the kiln. Indeed, the diverter valve responds to a temperature sensor where the airstream enters the kiln and maintains the temperature at that location constant. That temperature is hot enough to volatilize coatings on the aluminum, yet not hot enough to melt the aluminum. As it passes through the kiln the airstream possesses a diminished oxygen content, so that the volatilized coating does not ignite. The fan responds to another temperature sensor located where the airstream leaves the kiln such as to vary the mass flow, so that the temperature of the airstream leaving the kiln likewise remains constant. A collector exists in the ducting, between the kiln and the fan, and should its surfaces become cool enough to condense the volatilized coatings on them, the system recirculates some of the heated airstream to the collector to maintain the airstream entering it above a prescribed temperature.

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First Claim