The scrap processor weighs the truck to determine how much steel the scrap collector has. It will then pay the collector according to the weight of his load. The scrap processor will then direct the metal scrap to the shredder with the aid of a transporter belt, where all the different types of steel scrap are dumped together and then grounded into fist-sized pieces of steel. Next, the metal scrap are cut with acetylene torches and large shears that can crush (by using hydraulic presses) and cut (shredded by a huge rotary hammer-mills powered by 7,000 hp motors) whole rail freight cars.
[Courtesy of: Western Metals.]
[Courtesy of: Western Metals.]
A scrap broker contacts the scrap processor to negotiate a price for the shredded automobiles and miscellaneous steel. Once the negotiation is over, the scrap broker will arrange transportation for the newly purchased metal scrap. The metal scrap will be transported usually with truck or railcar and delivered to a steel mill. A scrap broker is basically the middleman between processing yards and steel mills (scrap consumers), a very important element to the entire metal recycling process.
[Courtesy of: Western Metals.]
[Courtesy of: Western Metals.]
The steel mill (scrap consumer) receives the shredded scrap and mixes it with other types of scrap and raw materials that are then melted in huge furnaces and turned into liquid steel. After it has melted into liquid steel, it is then poured and cooled. Once cooled, it is shaped and processed into new steel products and becomes once again a useful item.
[Courtesy of: Western Metals.]
Section I: Introduction
Section II: Present (YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THIS SECTION)
Section III: Future
Complete Table of Contents
Reference