Distinct recovery of copper and aluminum from waste electric wires using a roll-type electrostatic separator.
WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018;
76:207-216. [PMID:
29605307 DOI:
10.1016/j.wasman.2018.03.036]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Electrostatic separators are commonly employed for the sorting of insulating and conducting fractions of granular mixtures. However, separation of the various metals that compose the conductive fraction still represents a major challenge for the recycling industry. The aim of this paper is to identify the conditions in which a roll-type electrostatic separator could be used for distinctly recover the copper and aluminum from waste electric wires. A numerical model of particle trajectories was employed to predefine these conditions and guide the experimental study. The electrostatic separation experiments were carried out using a reverse-S-type-plate high-voltage electrode. The visualization of particle trajectories using a high-speed camera paved the way to an original design. Thus, a metallic trap was attached to the high-voltage electrode, to facilitate the collection of the aluminum flake-like particles from a mixture that also contains copper strands. With a plastic trap replacing the metallic one, to avoid electric field modification, 68.6% of the copper was recovered with a purity attaining 99%.
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