Application of electrodynamic drum separator to electronic wastes separation

Static electric fields are used, among others, in technological processes such as electric separation. Electrodynamic separation is a process of separating two or more solid phases of various physical properties by electric field forces. The advantage of electrodynamic separation is possibility of obtaining separation of individual components in dry conditions. This eliminates many operations such as thickening, dewatering, hydrotransportation, additional drying which cause higher energy consumption and higher separation process costs. Efficiency of beneficiation depends on many factors such as: electric properties of feed components, feed particle size distribution, drum rotary speed, electric field intensity in working space of separator, configuration of electrodes or surrounding conditions.The paper presents the working of high-voltage drum separator. The analysis of electric field distribution in separator working space was done. Additionally, distribution of forces acting on particles of dielectric and conductive properties was examined, trajectories of charged particles movement were presented too. The laboratory investigations of electronic wastes were performed in two particle fractions: 0.25–0.5 mm and 0–0.25 mm. It was observed that as a result of selective charging of particles they separate according to surface ability to electrifying what allows to obtain selective separation of components being so-called electronic wastes. The application of electrodynamic drum separator allows to separate such elements as Ti, Cu, Fe, Pb, Sn from plastics occurring in electronic wastes.