Eddy Current Separators

Eddy current separators are commonly used to separate non-ferrous metals from mixed waste and other product streams. When a magnetic rotor is turned at high rates of speed, powerful forces called eddy currents are created. These eddy currents repel materials with varying degrees of force depending on their composition. Thus, aluminum, copper and other metals can be separated from glass, plastic, wood, etc. creating clean product.
The principle of the Eddy Current Separator is fairly straightforward. Basically, a rotor comprised of magnet blocks, either standard ferrite ceramic or the more powerful rare earth magnets depending on application, are spun at high revolutions (over 3000 rpm) to produce an ‘eddy current’. This eddy current reacts with different metals, according to their specific mass and resistivity, creating a repelling force on the charged particle. If a metal is light, yet conductive such as aluminum, it is easily levitated and ejected from the normal flow of the product stream making separation possible. Separation of stainless steel is also possible depending on the grade of material. Particles from material flows can be sorted down to a minimum size of 332" (2mm) in diameter. There is no question that Eddy Current Separators have been a crucial development for the recycling industry. One of the more recent and exciting innovations in material separation is the non-ferrous Eddy Current Separator and how it is revolutionizing efforts to reduce waste and damage to the environment by recovering valuable non-ferrous metals from municipal and industrial refuse.