Electromagnetic separator and separation method of ferromagnetic materials
Electromagnetic separator comprising two or more solenoids ( 6, 7 ) arranged inside a rotatable drum ( 1 ) and connected to a continuous current power supply ( 8 ) for generating a magnetic field suitable for separating ferromagnetic parts, wherein said power supply ( 8 ) supplies a current being substantially constant in time. The invention also relates to a separation method that can be carried out by means of said electromagnetic separator.
1. A method for separating ferromagnetic parts with different percentages of copper comprising the following operating steps:
transporting the ferromagnetic parts by means of a conveyor ( 2 );
arranging an electromagnetic separator, provided with a rotatable drum ( 1 ), at the end of said conveyor ( 2 );
generating a magnetic field by supplying continuous current to solenoids ( 6 , 7 ) inserted in said drum ( 1 );
rotating the drum ( 1 ), characterized in that the attraction force generated by a magnetomotive force per unit volume resulting from the magnetic field is higher than the mean specific gravity of steel, but lower than the specific gravity of ferromagnetic parts containing a copper percentage of at least 12% by weight.
2. A method according to claim 1 , characterized in that said attraction force generated by the magnetomotive force per unit volume is comprised between 78.5 N/dm 3 and 87.9 N/dm 3 .
3. A method according to claim 2 , characterized in that said attraction force generated by the magnetomotive force per unit volume is comprised between 80 N/dm 3 and 81 N/dm 3 .