About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials Processing Fundamentals: Towards Sustainable Process Modeling, Design, and Operation
|
| Presentation Title |
Material Flow Optimization for Sustainable Aluminum Manufacturing |
| Author(s) |
Fatih G. Sen, Heath Murphy, Aristoteles E Thanos, Martin Beech, Tina Kosmicki, Sazol Das |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Fatih G. Sen |
| Abstract Scope |
Aluminum has been the sustainable material of choice for packaging, automotive, construction and aerospace. It is infinitely recyclable, and the efficiency of the circularity depends on the quantity and variety of scraps that have been utilized with given production volume. Maximizing scrap utilization is crucial for achieving the highest recycling efficiency within a plant. We have developed a computer workflow to maximize scrap utilization that considers constraints such as market scrap availability, the processing capacity of recycling centers, production volume, and the chemistry of scrap and cast alloys. Our model demonstrates methods for designing recycle-friendly new alloys, incorporating new scrap sources, and implementing effective scrap segregation strategies. Additionally, it reports on improving recycling by optimizing casting volumes based on available scrap. Overall, this workflow has proven to be instrumental in reducing the use of primary metal and lowering the CO2 footprint in aluminum manufacturing. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Recycling and Secondary Recovery, Modeling and Simulation |