Reynolds Metals Company

John F Krzyston

George F Swenck

Michael A Glagola

Gilbert F Bourcier

Larry C Venable

Steve A Jarrett

Philip E Smith

Donald A Fauth

A method and apparatus for recovering metallic aluminum from furnace dross. The method includes reducing the particle size of the dross and passing the resulting dross particles over the surface of an inclined linear induction motor to separate the more conductive, aluminum-metal-containing particles from the less or non-conductive particles that contain little or no metallic aluminum. The linear induction motor provides an electromagnetic field that operates to levitate the conductive, aluminum-containing particles, while those particles that include little or no aluminum are not affected by the electromagnetic field. A flow splitter positioned at the lower end of the motor separates the conductive particles from the substantially non-conductive particles. Metallic aluminum recovery rates of about 55% and higher of the aluminum contained in the furnace dross have been achieved. The resulting product has been enriched by a factor of twelve times over that of the infeed material.

Recovery of aluminum from furnace dross

A method and apparatus for recycling cans is disclosed. Discrimination of overweight conductive material from acceptable conductive materials from a mixed material input, while maintaining a high level of acceptable material recovery is achieved by control of the input to the separation system, as well as control of the separation mechanism.

Method for recycling cans

A method and apparatus for recycling cans is disclosed. After separating magnetic material from the material input and separating conductive material from the remainder of the material input, overweight magnetic and/or conductive material is removed. The remaining metallic portions are then recombined for storage.

Method and apparatus for recycling cans

Growing community of inventors

Chesterfield County, VA, United States of America

John F Krzyston