Is dioxin created when chlorine is inject into an aluminum smelter?

[Progressive Dane <prodane@newparty.org>]

I'm looking for any help on the following situation:

A local aluminum and zinc smelting and die casting manufacturer wants to
increase the amount of chlorine gas it injects into its RCI
reverberatory aluminum melt furnace. While in the past, the manufacturer
admitted to using dirty scrap such as used radiators, now they contend
they only use "clean" aluminum (ingots, sows, scarp from the machines &
customer returns). The Wisconsin Dept of natural resources has decided
to accept this at face value.

Is there potential to emit dioxin from the furnace, which operates in
the 1300-1400 degree Fahrenheit range? They inject up to 35 lbs of
chlorine gas per hour, depending on the magnesium content of the
aluminum. The manufacturer wants to increase to up to 90 lbs per hour.
The furnace is vented to a baghouse and then out a stack with no
pollution control technology.

JIM POWELL
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PROGRESSIVE DANE        prodane@newparty.org
200 N. Blount St.       http://www.newparty.org/pd
PO Box 1222       608/257-4985 office
Madison, WI 53701      608/255-6793 fax