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[ Refining ] [ Virtual Tour ]

Take a virtual tour to learn about something of real value
Jensen's refining service
 
Your scrap arrives at Jensen, usually by express carrier, and is safely locked away until its turn to be logged-in.
In the log-in department, your scrap container is carefully opened, and the contents are unpacked and precisely weighed. The entire process is filmed under two video cameras (birds-eye view and close-up view) to provide verification of accuracy and security. The video will be kept on file until your settlement is finalized.
After video log-in, a "processing schedule" is created, and it stays with your lot throughout the refining process to ensure that all the pertinent information about your lot is documented and recorded. This includes checking in, and reweighing the lot before and after processing.
Most lots contain a mixture of materials, and require initial processing in the foundry. This is where a professional refining technician separates the "metallics" from the "non-metallics" contained in your lot. Depending on the amount of initial material that is non-metallic (vacuum bags, for example), the lot may first be incinerated.
After incineration, your lot is placed in a crucible with powdered borax and soda ash, and loaded into a natural-gas furnace and melted. This is when the "metallic" and "non-metallic" separation occurs.
After the metallic portion of the lot is obtained, your lot is melted again in an electrical induction unit to ensure a homogenous composition for testing. Homogeneity is very important for Jensen to retrieve an accurate sample of your lot.
Once your lot is thoroughly melted, the sampling process begins. A "vacuum pin-tube" is inserted into the molten metal. A sample of the metal is sucked up into the tube, where it quickly hardens. There is no better way to obtain a homogeneous sample of scrap material.
Now it's time to check the elemental composition of your sample during the "assay" process. Jensen employs many analytical techniques, including "fire assay" and "wet" chemistry" to determine the content in a scrap lot.
Once the assay process is complete, all the information about your lot is compiled and reported to you. In most cases, Jensen will be ready to settle your lot within 2 weeks after your lot is logged in.
We hope you've enjoyed this tour. If you have any questions about our refining process, or how to arrange for an assay of your material, please call us at 800-243-2000. We'd be happy to assist you!

Revision 1, 10/18/00