Moisture
All loads are routinely tested for moisture on delivery to the Regional Aggregation Centres.
One teaspoon of moisture is equal to 1/3 the weight of an aluminium can. Novelis cannot afford to pay UBC prices for moisture!
Problems caused by moisture:
- Affects the performance of processing machinery, the energy efficiency of the recycling process and presents a health and safety risk.
- Acts like a magnet to dirt. At best, dirt is removed by screening, but moisture mixes with the dirt and causes screens to become blocked. At worst, it enters the melting furnace creating dross, which leads to additional aluminium losses.
- It takes more fuel to process wet cans than dry ones, reducing the energy efficiency of the process.
- Moisture creates safety hazards, causing slippery surfaces in working areas, including vehicles.
Penalty for exceeding 4% moisture in your delivery
If your delivery is found to contain more than 4% moisture you will receive notification that future deliveries will be subject to an automatic weight deduction.
The formula for calculating a deduction is as follows:
- Example 1: Tested moisture = 4%, Deduction = 0%
- Example 2: Tested moisture = 4.1%, Deduction = 4.1% - 2% = 2.1%
Example of the effects of moisture contamination
The graph below shows the reduction in moisture achieved by one Novelis Recycling supplier in a single month after making some simple housekeeping changes.
How to avoid moisture contamination
For more advice on reducing contamination, see Quality Matters: Earn More From Your Deliveries.
