Separating Nonferrous Metals in Incinerator Residue Using Magnetic Fluids

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Abstract
A magnetogravimetric separation method has been adopted to fractionate nonferrous metals from the residue of incinerated urban refuse. By properly placing a colloidal solution of magnetite in kerosene between the poles of a magnet, it was possible to separate particles according to their density spectrum in a continuous fashion. Screening the incinerator residue to -4, + 14 mesh removed the bulk of silica (glass), reduced the sample size by about 52%, and gave a residue rich in aluminum, copper, and zinc with less than 3% silica. Separation of this residue into its components was accomplished using a permanent magnet and a magnetic fluid with a saturation magnetization of 80 G. The light fraction collector contained 58% of the sample and was rich in aluminum (84.7%). The heavy residue was further fractionated using an electromagnet with the field adjusted to 2.4 kOe and a magnetic fluid with a saturation magnetization of 215 G. Materials with mass density less than 7.2 g/cm3 were received in the light fraction receptacle and were rich in zinc, while the heavy fraction receiver contained material rich in copper. The bulk of magnetic fluid that adhered to the separated particles was recovered by floating on water and skimming off with the aid of moving magnets.

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