Automotive shredder residue

The shredding of automobiles and major household appliances is a process where a hammermill acts as a giant tree chipper by grinding the materials fed into it to fist-size pieces. The shredding of automobiles results in a mixture of ferrous metal, non-ferrous metal (e.g. alloys of copper and aluminium) and shredder waste, called automotive shredder residue or automobile shredder residue (ASR). ASR consists of glass, fiber, rubber, automobile liquids, plastics and dirt. ASR is sometimes differentiated into shredder light fraction and dust. Sometimes these residual materials are called "car-fluff".

a blue 1990s Lincoln Town Car after crushing, with residue visible beneath

ASR often contains hazardous substances such as lead, cadmium, and PCB. Therefore, some countries have classified ASR as hazardous waste and have established legislative controls.[1]

Recycling

It is estimated that every year in EU nations nearly 3 million tonnes of automotive shredder residue (ASR) are generated.[2] While half of the waste which contains rubber, textiles and plastics can be transferred into alternative fuels or recycled, the remaining portion is primarily land-filled. The European Draft directive 2000/53/CE states that by the year 2015, only 5% of the vehicle's weight can be disposed of at landfill sites.[3]

Recycling techniques

ASR waste contains 30% organic matter and inorganic compounds such as lead, zinc, quartz, calcite, magnetite, anhydrite and hematite.[4] Some of the methods to recycle ASR are:[1][5]

  • Using as a retarder for ordinary Portland cement by transformation into aggregates after thermal treatment followed by chemical treatment.
  • Conversion of automobile plastic residue into synthetic crude oil. This technology is patented by Agilyx.
  • Recycling thermoplastic materials from residue plastic which can be used in construction and agriculture sector.
  • Use of thermo-chemical processes, such as pyrolysis or gasification.

See also

References
  1. Vermeulen, I. (June 2011). "Automotive shredder residue (ASR): Reviewing its production from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) and its recycling, energy or chemicals' valorisation". Journal of Hazardous Materials. 190 (1–3): 8–27. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.02.088. PMID 21440364.
  2. Chabannet, M.; Péra, J. (April 2004). "Valorization of automotive shredder residue in building materials". Cement and Concrete Research. 34 (4): 557–562. doi:10.1016/j.cemconres.2003.09.004.
  3. Fiore, S; Zanetti, M C (April 2012). "Automobile Shredder Residues in Italy: Characterization and valorization opportunities". Waste Management. 32 (8): 1548–1559. doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2012.03.026. Archived from the original on 2015-06-01.
  4. "Where does your junk go". Junk Car Medics. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  5. Taylor, Brian (15 May 2012). "Breakthrough Moment". recycling today. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
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