On July 4, 2017, Philippine Tonan Corporation installed a zinc recovery machine. To help further reduce costs and improve sustainability, PTC’s zinc-recovery system is designed to process zinc ash and recover viable zinc metal that can be reused in an operation. At the heart of the system is a thermo-mechanical device able to separate free zinc from the zinc ash mixture. The recovered zinc is technically acceptable for reuse in the galvanizing process and any zinc-oxide residues or ash by-product can be sold.
The principle is that the feed, about 700-1000 kilograms is contained in a vessel about 45 inches in height and 32 inches diameter. After the vessel is filled with the zinc ash, is it then positioned inside the zinc recovery machine. Zinc recovery machine separates the free zinc from the zinc ash mixture by operating up to 450°. As the desired temperature, 450° Celsius (which is the melting point of zinc) is attained, the burning inside the furnace will take place and the vessel starts to rotate such that the temperature is dispersed throughout.
This innovative technology is design with a tilter and therefore a pump is not needed for furnace discharge. The tilting mechanism is actuated by a 0.1 KW induction motor. The machine has been designed to operate with a furnace refractory lining that is chemically inert and resistant to thermal shock. The reverse tilt is design to assist the operator during ash removal and zinc ash loading. The recovered zinc is drained on the exposed sloping aperture where it is caught by a metal bucket.
Philippine Tonan Corporation is the first galvanizing company in Cebu to adopt this new technology.