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Distinct recovery of copper and aluminum from waste electric wires using a roll-type electrostatic separator

Waste Management • 2018
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Publication Information
Authors Abdelhady Ragab, Gontran Richard, Karim Medles, Thami zeghloul, Lucian Dascalescu
Keywords Not Available
Journal Waste Management
Publisher Not Available
Volume Not Available
Issue Not Available
Pages Not Available
publication.type International
Paper Link Not Available
Supplementary Materials Not Available
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%.