Innovation in Aluminum Dross Processing: Comprehensive Strategies for Safe Disposal and Efficient Utilization in...

With the rapid development of the global aluminum industry, the production of aluminum dross, as a hazardous solid waste generated in the aluminum production process, has increased annually. Aluminum dross contains not only substantial amounts of harmful substances, such as aluminum nitride, fluoride, and chloride, but also valuable resources such as metallic aluminum and alumina. This review summarizes the sources, composition, and hazards of aluminum dross to the environment and human health, with a focus on the harmless treatment and resource utilization technologies for aluminum dross. Harmless treatment technologies include denitrification, defluorination, and dechlorination, which are primarily classified into hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods. In terms of resource utilization, primary aluminum dross (PAD) was mainly used to extract metallic aluminum through heat treatment and cold treatment, while secondary aluminum dross (SAD) can be used to prepare refractory materials, building materials, water treatment agents, and extract alumina. This review also compares the advantages and disadvantages of current aluminum dross treatment technology and outlines future research directions, aiming to provide a reference for the sustainable development and environmental protection of the aluminum industry.