Control of electrostatic separation efficiency of waste copper cable by float-sink analysis

Abstract

The recycling of waste copper cable using an 'Eriez' electrostatic separator achieved positive technological results. In the electrostatic separation experiments with defined technological parameters was achieved a mass recovery of conductive products, IPP = 68.99%, with the copper content of 88.35%. At the same time, recovery of non-conducted products, plastic, was archived Inp = 7.32%, with maximum quality products. Intermediate product of separation process is represented with mass recovery 23.69% of treated waste materials, with content of 3.12% copper and 20.57% of plastic. The separation results presented with standard technology indicators, recovery and quality of final products, do not provide complete information on the effectiveness of the process and at the same time the possibility of adequate control and regulation. The components that are contained in the waste copper cables, copper and plastic, are very difference both in the conductivity of electricity and the density. Comparison of the conductivity and density of copper and plastic, from the point of separation results on the electrostatic separator, give the possibility of applying the float-sink analysis procedure, as well as methods for better control, and thus the regulation process. The application of the float-sink analysis of final electrostatic separation products was noted a recovery of conductive copper product about ICu = 98.8%. Copper recovery of intermediate and non-conductive products were about 1.2% and 0%, respectively. Recovery of the non-conductive plastic product was Ip = 19.10%, with plastic distribution in the intermediate and conductive product were 59.92% and 20.98%, respectively. Granulometric analysis of final products of separation, as well as individual components which are contained in the conductive, nonconductive and intermediate products, can be obtained information about the effect of particle size of both raw materials and certain components on the efficiency of electrostatic separation.