JPH0610071A - Apparatus and method for separating metal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily separate and recover an individual metal from a metallic mixture by charging the mixture having metal layers of different melting points into an inclined type rotary furnace, heating a specific temp. to melt a low melting point metal and flowing out from the opening of the rotary furnace.

CONSTITUTION: The inclined cylindrical rotary furnace 10 is arranged in a heat-resistant capsule 16 and supported with supporting columns 20, and the metallic mixture with e.g. Cu and Pb layered is charged from a tube at the beginning part 10a of the rotary furnace 10 into the furnace 10 through a supplying device 34. The rotary furnace 10 is heated with a heater arranged on the outside of the rotary furnace 10 in the capsule 16 while rotating the rotary furnace 10. In the furnace, the heating is executed at such a temp. that Pb having 327°C m.p. is melted and Cu having 1,083°C m.p. is not melted. Pb is melted in a liquid state and flowed down into a vessel 30 through a funnel type flowing outlet 26 and a connecting tube 28 from an opening 22a at the lower part of the rotary furnace. A solid-state Cu in the rotary furnace 10 is discharged outside the furnace from a tube at the end part 10b of the rotary furnace 10 and Pb and Cu are perfectly separated and recovered.

COPYRIGHT: (C)1994,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for separating individual metals from a metal mixture.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recovery and reuse of raw materials is an important modern environmental policy. This is especially true for the range of metals, in this case especially for toxic metals or alloys.

Since the metal parts usually occur unsorted during waste treatment, the first important step for recycling consists in the separation of the individual metals. Unless otherwise noted below, the term metal always includes alloys below.

Larger parts (eg car body parts) are relatively easy to separate by hand, especially when the sources are well known, whereas this is practical for mixtures of smaller parts in the industrial range. It is impossible.

Magnetic and non-magnetic metals can be separated via electromagnetic separators, but leave an inhomogeneous mixture,
These mixtures have to be further screened.

In this regard, it is known to utilize the melting temperature of the individual metals. The metal mixture is placed in the container. The metal mixture is then heated until the metal with the lowest melting temperature melts and dries. The melt is then separated.

However, the degree of separation in this method is very unsatisfactory. This is because the melt cannot easily flow through the bed, especially when the mixture is large. Otherwise, a uniform temperature distribution over the mixture cannot be obtained. In addition, melt surface tension and temperature changes prevent accurate separation. This method can only be done discontinuously and is therefore uneconomical.

[0008]

The problem underlying the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method which allows for the most complete separation of individual metals (alloys) from metal mixtures. In this case, the concept of metal mixture
In particular, a mixture of flaky materials is included. In this regard, metalworking scraps and screws, nails, etc., such as cable remnants or swarf, can be mentioned.

The present invention is based on the recognition that it is crucial to overcome the surface tension of the melted phase in order to improve the separation of the individual metals from the metal mixture. . For this reason, according to the invention, it is possible to periodically increase the rotational speed so that the surface tension of the molten metal phase can be overcome and the molten metal phase can be discharged from the opening in the furnace wall. A rotatable furnace is used.

[0010]

According to the device of the present invention,
The task is to provide a heated, rotatable furnace at different speeds, the furnace having at least one charging device and at least two unloading devices for the metal mixture or components of the metal mixture. The wall of the furnace has openings at least partially, and the size of these openings is such that the metal with the lowest melting point of the metal mixture in the furnace is in the molten state through the openings. Solution by means of which the residual material is chosen to remain in the furnace.

Further, according to the method of the present invention, the object is to fill a furnace in which the metal mixture can be rotated at different speeds, and the metal mixture is provided with openings in the furnace wall by the rotary motion of the furnace. To the location of the furnace in which it is being heated, and in the transport path to the location of the furnace with the opening, heated to a humidity that corresponds to the minimum melting temperature of one metal of the metal mixture, the rotational speed of the furnace is periodically increased and the melting The conditioned metal overcomes the surface tension and flows out through the opening, where it is received and carried away, the remaining metal (mixture) is subsequently cooled and removed from the furnace, Or the metal which remains after being further processed once or several times, depending on the melting temperature of the metal with the lower melting point, in the same manner as in the method steps described above, but while controlling the furnace temperature. Is cooled and removed from the furnace By the Rukoto be go-between solution.

The device can be operated discontinuously and continuously. In the case of discontinuous operation, the furnace can be configured, for example, as a sphere or like a rotary wheel.

Preference is given to continuously operating devices, preference being given to a furnace configured like a rotary furnace. In this case, the heterogeneous metal mixture is charged at one end of the furnace and is conveyed to the other end of the furnace by the rotation of the furnace and by the inclination of the furnace.
The material stream is heated along the transport path. Between the inlet and outlet of the furnace, there is a part where the furnace wall has the above-mentioned opening. At this point, the material stream is heated to the minimum melting temperature of one metal of the metal mixture, so that this metal will enter the molten phase at the latest in the region of the openings. The increase in the rotational speed of the furnace overcomes the surface tension of the melt and allows the melt to flow out through the opening, where it is received.

Of course, the diameter of the opening must be smaller than the diameter of the solid particles charged.
Through the rotary movement of the furnace, at the same time, solid particles can collect in front of the openings and not block these openings. For the same reason, the furnace is operated cyclically, that is, not necessarily at the highest rotational speed. Otherwise, this would lead to the deposition of solid particles in front of the opening.

It is within the scope of the invention to be able to adjust the diameter of the openings in order to be able to adapt them to the respective material properties of the metal mixture to be charged.

Of course, it is also possible to separate a plurality of metals in one step. For this purpose, a second and a third mouthpiece, spaced from the first point of the furnace with the opening
Are placed in the furnace wall, and in this case, the metal having a higher melting point is separated at the location in front of the furnace when viewed in the transport direction, so that a higher temperature is obtained in these furnace ranges. It has to be adjusted.

The heating of the furnace can be done directly or indirectly. This relates in particular to the melting humidity of the metal to be separated. Some melting temperatures (expressed in ° C) are listed below as examples. Pb: 327.5 Cu: 1083 Ni: 1453 Cd: 321 Mo: 2620 Fe: 1535

The table shows that, for example, mixtures of lead, copper and iron can be separated very well in the above-mentioned manner by virtue of the characteristically different melting points. The melting temperature is
When relatively close, such as with lead and cadmium, the furnace temperature must be carefully adjusted. Separate furnace sections are known for this purpose, in which the furnace temperature can be precisely adjusted.

The speed of rotation of the furnace can usually be relatively low (eg 1 to 5 times per minute), while this speed must be clearly increased for the separation of the molten phase (eg 50 to speeds per minute). 100 times or more).

Each time interval is empirically determined and is left to the material to be separated, the amount of material and the furnace geometry.

Simple catch plates are used to receive the metal melt released via centrifugal forces, these catch plates being open to the outflow trough and receiving these. The slab and the outflow gutter of this slab are preferably heated to at least the melting temperature of the material as much as possible to prevent the solidification of the melt.

In a preferred embodiment, the original furnace tube is placed in a capsule at intervals and indirectly via a heating device between the furnace tube and the capsule or via a heating device provided in this capsule. It's heated. The space between the furnace tube and the capsule can simultaneously be used for receiving and discharging the discharged molten material.

The non-emitted material stream is further processed or withdrawn at the end of the furnace in the manner described above.

The apparatus and method described above make it possible to separate individual metals very greatly from a metal mixture in a simple, continuous and inexpensive manner. Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the characteristics of the dependent claims and other application materials.

[0025]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples.

This apparatus comprises a rotary furnace 10 supported and driven at ends 12 and 14, and the rotary furnace includes a rotary furnace tube starting end (furnace starting end) 10a to a rotary furnace tube terminating end (furnace ending). It is provided at an angle of about 7 ° to 10b.

The middle region of the furnace 10 is covered at intervals by capsules 16, which are mounted on a support platform 18.
The support pedestal also supports the supports 12, 14.

The support frame 18 itself is provided on the column 20.

The furnace 10 and the capsule 16 are manufactured so that the furnace tube 10 can freely rotate even in the stationary capsule 16.

In order to avoid heat losses, the capsule 16 covers the furnace tube 10 with a slight play in the penetration region of the furnace tube 10 and with a larger spacing elsewhere. This will be described in detail below.

It will be further understood that the furnace tube 10 has the capsule 1
That is, a large number of openings (perforations) are provided over the length L in the portion within 6, and the projections and functions of these openings will be described in detail below.

In this area, the rotary furnace 10 is additionally covered by an annular sleeve 22, which is provided in the space 24 between the capsule 16 and the rotary furnace 10. The sleeve 22 is completely closed except for the opening (at 22a) in the lower region and is fixed to the lower part of the capsule 16. A funnel-shaped outlet opening 26 extends through the capsule 16 from the opening 22a, which outlet is followed by a tubular connecting conduit 28, which is connected to a container 30.
The container wall and bottom can be heated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 30 is attached to the floor 32 below the capsule 16.

A supply device 34 is provided in front of the rotary furnace 10, and the metal material mixture is charged into the rotary furnace 10 via this supply device. In the case of the embodiment, it is copper or lead cable remnants, and these cable remnants are preliminarily stripped of the plastic covering by a known method through a crusher.

The material mixture enters a rotary furnace 10, which is first rotated at a speed of 3 revolutions per minute. The material mixture then passes in the conveying direction T through the rotary furnace 10 and in the conveying path to the furnace end 10b in the electric heating device 36.
It is continuously heated through the
6 on both vertical inner walls (FIG. 2).

The material stream is heated to a temperature of approximately 330 °, at which time the material stream reaches this temperature at the latest at the location of the furnace in which the aforementioned opening is formed. This temperature causes the lead wire to transition to the molten phase, while the copper wire that melts only at 1083 ° is still solid.

The rotation speed of the rotary furnace 10 is increased periodically, and the table is increased to about 75 rotations / minute. As a result of this increase in rotational speed, the surface tension of the molten phase is overcome, so that the melt flows out through the opening of the rotary furnace 10, where it is caught in the sleeve 22 and flows in a funnel-like manner. Transferred to the container 30 via the opening 26 or the connecting conduit 28, where the melt is first further heated and thereby remains in the molten state.

The copper wire (not melted) is further conveyed to the furnace end 10b through the furnace portion provided with the opening,
And it is taken out of the furnace.

The device method detailed above, allows for the accurate separation of metals with different melting points.

In this case, it is also possible to adjust the temperature of the portion of the furnace provided with the opening to a temperature above the melting temperature of the metal having a low melting point, but in this case, in each case, it is possible. It must be possible to ensure that the temperature of is below the melting temperature of the next highest melting metal.

The molten phase is discharged through the opening of the furnace tube due to the periodic increase in the rotation speed of the rotary furnace. Thus, at the same time clogging of the opening is prevented. The respective rotation speed and the duration of each phase are related to the structure of the furnace, the material flow charged, the composition and amount of the material flow. This rotation speed can be determined empirically in each case. This also applies to the diameter of the openings, of course these openings must not be clogged and on the other hand must be such that unmelted material does not pass through.

Due to the indirect heating, especially in the region of the opening of the furnace tube 10, the melting temperature is always kept in this range during normal operation, that is, when the furnace rotates at a low rotational speed. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the opening will not be blocked by the remaining solidified melt.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 rotary furnace 10a start of furnace 10b end of furnace

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Bernd Cologne Federal Republic of Germany Ammerndorf Eichchenstraße 8

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A furnace (10) is provided which is heated and can be rotated at different speeds, 1.2 This furnace comprises at least one charge of a metal mixture or components of this metal mixture. Device and at least two take-off devices (10, 10a, 10b) 1.3 The wall of this furnace has at least partial openings, the size of these openings being Characterized by the metal with the lowest melting point in a metal mixture being able to flow out through the opening in the molten state, while the residual material is chosen to remain in the furnace , A device for separating individual metals from a metal mixture. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the furnace (10) is configured as a rotary furnace. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the furnace is configured as a bead. 4. A loading and unloading device (1) having a furnace wall on an end side.
Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is provided with an opening over its entire circumference along at least a part of the furnace between 0a, 10b). 5. A heating device (3) between at least part of the furnace (10) between the loading and unloading devices (10a, 10b).
Device according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is surrounded by a capsule (16) provided with 6) at a distance. 6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the furnace (10) is indirectly heatable. 7. One of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rotational speed of the furnace (10) is adjustable periodically.
Device. 8. The rotation speed of the furnace (10) is 1 to 500.
8. Adjustable in rotations / minute.
The device according to. 9. The furnace according to claim 1, characterized in that the furnace is adjustable to a maximum temperature at the location of the opening in the direction of transport (T) of the metal mixture. Equipment. 10. A device (2) for receiving a molten metal flowing out at a place having an opening at intervals around the furnace (10).
Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that 2) is provided. 11. An opening in the furnace wall is provided with an adjustable diameter.
The device according to one of the above. 12. The metal mixture is charged into a furnace which can be rotated at different speeds, and 12.2 the metal mixture is conveyed by the rotary motion of the furnace to the location of the furnace which is provided with openings in the furnace wall. 12.3 In the transport path to the point of the furnace with the opening,
The temperature of the molten metal is raised to a temperature corresponding to the minimum melting humidity of one metal, the rotational speed of the furnace is increased periodically, and the molten metal overcomes the surface tension and passes through the opening. Flowing out, where this metal is received and carried away, 12.5 the remaining metal (mixture) 12.5.1 is subsequently cooled and removed from the furnace, or 12.5.2 process step Similar to 12.3 and 12.4, but with the furnace temperature adjusted, the remaining metal (mixture) is treated once or several times, depending on the melting temperature of the metal with the lowest melting point. Method for separating individual metals from a metal mixture by a device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it is cooled and removed from the furnace. 13. The furnace is operated at a normal speed of 1 to 5 revolutions / minute and at a speed of 50 to 100 revolutions / minute in the process step according to feature 12.4.
The method described in 2. 14. The molten metal withdrawn from the furnace through the opening is transferred to a heatable container,
The method according to claim 12 or 13.