MULTIPHASE ELECTRICAL WASTE SORTING.

This paper is focused on efficient sorting of specific electronic waste mixture which is composed of copper wires and plastic granulate. Electronic waste mixture is formed by crushing the electrical cable conductors which are intended for recycling. The aim is to sort the mixture in copper wires and plastic granulate. For an efficient sorting of this mixture a multistage sorting technology is used. The first stage is sieve sorting where large plastic granulate particles and other unwanted elements are separated from the mixture. The second stage is focused on fluidised sorting of plastic granulate out of copper wires. Fluidised sorting is based on the difference in the bulk density between the components, with lighter plastic granules carried away by the stream of air and heavy copper wires remaining on the fluidised bed. The second phase of sorting is performed on an air sorting stand, which consists of a blower, fluidised bed section and a section for discharge of plastic granulate. The emphasis is put on high sorting efficiency. This article provides measured values of mechanical and physical properties of electronic waste mixture, pure copper wires and pure plastic granulate. Plastic granulate without metal components is recycled and used to manufacture new products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]