Scrap metal recovery process

Method for recycling aluminum scrap containing thermal barrier material, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) comminuting said scrap to pieces from about 18 to about 4 inches in length thereby preparing a relatively uniformly sized aluminum scrap product;
• (b) conveying said comminuted aluminum scrap product to a storage hopper;
• (c) continuously feeding the comminuted aluminum scrap product from said storage hopper to an indirect-fired rotary kiln;
• (d) heating said scrap product in said indirect-fired rotary kiln to a temperature of about 800.degree. to 900.degree. F. for a period of about one-half to one hour thereby substantially completely removing said thermal barrier material as combustible gas and cinder producing a satisfactory aluminum melt furnace feed product;
• (e) collecting and burning said combustible gases and smoke in a waste heat recovery afterburner to provide heating values for said step (d);
• (f) transferring heating values provided in step (e) to said indirect-fired rotary kiln;
• and,
• (g) feeding said feed product from said indirect-fired rotary kiln to an aluminum melt furnace for melting.