About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Melt Processing, Casting and Recycling
|
| Presentation Title |
Preliminary Evaluation of Sodium Removal from Molten Aluminum by Vacuum-Assisted Evaporation and Electromagnetic Stirring |
| Author(s) |
Ibrahim Mohammad, Erlend Mår Hannås Fjukstad, Shahid Akhtar, Inge Johansen, Ragnhild Elizabeth Aune |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ibrahim Mohammad |
| Abstract Scope |
Sodium removal from molten aluminum is crucial for maintaining product quality, yet conventional fluxing methods generate salt waste and harmful emissions. The present preliminary study explores a non-reactive approach combining vacuum-assisted evaporation and electromagnetic stirring (EMS) to reduce sodium content without chemical additives. A laboratory-scale system was constructed to operate at 750°C and 40 mbar. Artificial Al–Na alloys targeting 50, 125, and 200 ppm sodium were prepared by alloying 99.99% pure aluminum with elemental sodium. Treatment cycles lasted 2.5 minutes. Sodium concentrations were measured before and after treatment using MP-AES, alongside concurrent monitoring of temperature, pressure, and melt mass. Sodium removal exceeded 85% in several trials. EMS promoted more uniform sodium transport within the melt. Sodium levels stabilized near 30 ppm, indicating a lower operational limit under current conditions. While the underlying mechanism requires further investigation, results suggest the setup may offer a promising route for sodium reduction in molten aluminum. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Other, Other |