Aluminium is one of the most widely used metals on our planet. It is light, corrosion-resistant and has many applications, from the packaging industry to aerospace. However, extracting aluminium from raw materials requires a lot of energy and leads to significant environmental impacts. Therefore, aluminium recycling is becoming more and more important, and this is where “Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy” (LIBS) comes into play.
What is LIBS?
LIBS is an innovative technology that enables precise analysis of the chemical composition of metals, including aluminium. By using a laser, a plasma is created that vaporises the metal samples. The resulting light spectrum is then analysed to identify and quantify the different elements in the sample.
Advantages of LIBS for aluminium recycling:
- Fast and accurate analysis: LIBS enables rapid analysis of aluminium alloys and other metals. This allows recycling plants to optimise the sorting process and ensure high purity of recycled materials.
- Saving energy and resources: By using LIBS, recycling plants could optimise energy consumption and thus contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions.
- Promoting sustainability: Aluminium recycling is a significant step in promoting a sustainable circular economy. By using LIBS, companies could make their contribution to environmental protection and resource conservation in the future.
Future prospects for LIBS in aluminium recycling:
The application of LIBS in aluminium recycling is still comparatively new, but the technology has already shown promising results. With further research and development efforts, the potential applications of LIBS could be further expanded. It is conceivable that this technology will play a more important role in optimising the aluminium recycling process in the future.
Sources:
Frauenhofer- Institut für Physikalische Messtechnik: https://www.ipm.fraunhofer.de/de/gf/produktionskontrolle-inlinemesstechnik/komp/lips-laserinduzierte-plasmaspektroskopie.html (retrieved 31.07.2023)
DVS Media GmbH:https://www.home-of-foundry.de/news/neues-forderprojekt-fur-effizientes-aluminium-recycling-1547 (retrieved on 31.07.2023)