Description:
Magnetic separators such as the suspension magnet, magnet drum, and magnetic pulley have been represented in this market segment for many years now. The eddy current separator used for separating non-ferrous metals such as aluminium and brass has also been enjoying huge success. STEINERT GmbH based in Cologne is one of the most experienced manufacturers of such metal separators and also has considerable experience in this area. Since a wide variety of much more complex structures have been developed in the field of wood utilisation, other metals such as stainless steel and other small metal parts that can be broken down into smaller pieces can also be found. On account of the considerable throughputs in scrap wood recycling and the fact that conventional stainless steel can be separated neither by magnets nor eddy currents, Steinert recently carried out tests with new types of metal separators, its inductive sorting systems — ISS.

As is often the case in the preparation stage, individual separators only work efficiently in certain grain size ranges. The goal of metal separation in scrap wood recycling is not the purity of the metal itself, but the removal of all metal parts. As a result, considerable volume throughputs are possible and wood loss is acceptable. The iron-bearing objects are almost completely separated by magnet drums and usually electromagnetic top belt separators. Nevertheless, the purity of the iron product is very clean and saleable. Alternating poles in the permanent suspension magnet or transverse poles in magnet drums allow the iron separation to be arranged in a targeted manner.

In the preliminary stages of scrap wood processing, however, the high-performance separation of non-ferrous metals such as aluminium and brass is ultimately the most important thing. The eddy current separator (also referred to as a non-ferrous metal separator) with a working width of up to two meters is capable of processing around 200 m³/h of comminute scrap wood. In the market, a distinction is made between two design principles — with a central or an eccentric magnetic pole system. As is the case in other industries, the specific structure of the STEINERT eddy current separator with its patented, eccentric pole system has proved particularly successful. The figures speak for themselves: More than 1,500 such units are currently in use all over the world. The unique feature of being able to adjust the pole system is beneficial to the separating process. This means that the time at which the sorting force should be exerted can be adapted to meet the exact requirements of the respective process. Smaller iron impurities can damage neither the pole drum nor the extremely thin belt. The first of these factors is not possible and the second cannot be avoided when using a central system.

Magnetic and non-ferrous metal separation removes virtually all metal parts. They are ideal as inexpensive and low-maintenance mass flow methods for the separation of individual metal parts and coarse metal composites. Intimate metal composites as well as stainless steels and lead, on the other hand, cannot be separated or can only be separated to a limited extent using these devices.