Dr.-Ing. Oliver Moos, Managing Director of CETAG AG, brings decades of expertise in aluminium casthouse technology, offering innovative, cost-efficient and sustainable process solutions through global consulting, project management and equipment design.
In an interview for “Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium's Dual Commitment” e-Magazine, Dr.-Ing. Oliver Moos delves into CETAG’s approach to enhancing sustainability in aluminium casting, emphasising dross reduction, efficient metal recovery, process optimisation and digital advancements for achieving near-zero landfill operations.
AL Circle: How does your aluminium casthouse technology contribute to sustainability in the casting process? What are its key features, and how do they stand apart from conventional technologies available in the market?
Dr.-Ing. Oliver Moos: CETAG of Switzerland is an expert adviser in aluminum casthouse technology, offering its services worldwide to the aluminum industry. Cooperating with an outstanding network of specialists, in combination with CETAG’s in-house knowledge, allows understanding, analysis and evaluation of our customers’ needs, resulting in state-of-theart solutions. This is not restricted to dross processing. CETAG can advise on numerous aspects of casthouse operation from melting furnaces down to the casting machine.
The main objective of an aluminum casthouse is manufacturing products of the highest standards in a safe and environmentally friendly way. This must be accomplished in the most cost-efficient way to allow for a sustainable production process. Capital investment, cost of labor, equipment operation, energy consumption, maintenance, and other factors must be closely evaluated, constantly monitored and improved wherever possible. CETAG, together with its customers, is proud to be part of this process, resulting in long-term relationships.
We have realised over the years that there are tremendous opportunities to reduce production cost by simply assuring proper equipment set up and operation (for example having a combustion system set up properly …). Sometimes, this can be achieved with minimal investments compared to the benefits on production and environment.
AL Circle: What level of energy savings and carbon emission reductions does your casting technology deliver?
Dr.-Ing. Oliver Moos: As stated above, a tremendous part of having a sustainable operation is based on the education and training of operating personal. Obviously, modern data collection and control systems are essential to support the personnel in their decision taking.
AL Circle: How efficient is your rotary dross cooling technology in enhancing aluminium recovery? Does that recovered aluminium go back to casthouse to support a circular economy?
Dr.-Ing. Oliver Moos: Recovery rates depend on lots of different factors (alloy, material processed, operators, equipment, …). CETAGs proven Rotary Dross Coolers allow for a rapid cooling of the hot dross below the oxidation temperature of aluminum - thereby saving precious metal. Typical recovery rates are up to 65% (though even higher rates have been achieved). Part of this is achieved directly in our Rotary Cooler and the material can be re-charged into a melting furnace (in-house process). Part of the material might be processed by a specialised third party facility. Generally, there is still a considerable amount of dross being deposed off in landfills, with the metal contained in it lost for further use. CETAG is involved in a R&D program trying to identify processes allowing for the use of this type of material.
To read the complete interview, tap here.
