Modeling the throw of metals and non-metals in eddy current separations

The trajectories of real scrap particles processed with an eddy current separator are compared to computer simulations to investigate the effects of particle shape and particle – particle interaction, effects that are difficult to catch in a purely theoretical model. The results show that the primary particle parameters are size, conductivity and initial orientation, provided that the size of a particle is defined in relation to the eddy current process. Therefore, the detailed shape of scrap particles is less important. The effects of particle–particle interaction on the grade and recovery can be predicted by considering two different types of collisions between nonferrous and nonmetal particles. This results in a simple theory that can be incorporated into a simulation model.