The basics of magnetic separation as applied to municipal solid waste reclamation plants

Abstract Magnetic separation of ferrous metallics from municipal solid waste is based on technology developed for, and profitably applied to, ore beneficiation, slag reclamation, automobile shredding, and scrap processing industries. No one system or type of magnet can be used for all ferrous waste recovery. Above all, the system must initially be engineered into the process to provide recovery of a product that is readily marketable. Various magnet arrangements in the recovery system separate, clean and transport the recycled ferrous material. There are a number of basic magnetic system configurations and typical applications, some of which are presented here.