Design of a Rotary-Based Feeding System for Improving the Performance of Eddy Current Separator

Abstract

The performance of an Eddy Current Separator (ECS) plays a crucial role in efficiently separating non-ferrous metals from solid waste streams. This paper presents a novel approach for enhancing the performance of an ECS through the design of a rotary-based feeding system. The proposed system aims to optimize the feeding process by ensuring non-overlapping, consistent and controlled flow of material to the separator, thereby improving separation rate and overall efficiency. The design incorporates a rotary mechanism that facilitates a smooth and continuous material flow, minimizing disruptions and maximizing the effectiveness of the separation process. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the rotary-based feeding system. The results demonstrate the advantages of a rotary based system, showing a lower amount of material overlap and a better success rate of eddy current separation with an average value of 93.5%. More notably, the system achieved an 89% success rate for aluminum and an 98% success rate for copper. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the design considerations for improving the performance of eddy current separators and offer practical solutions for enhancing metal recovery in recycling applications.