Batchwise working-up recycling materials in a rotatable reactor

Abstract

A process for batchwise working-up valuable metals containing recycling materials having a content of organic constituents so high that its use as smelting materials in conventional metal smelting processes is not suitably or even possible. The material is charged to a tiltable reactor rotatable along its own longitudinal axis having a common opening for charging and emptying. The material is heated to a temperature promoting the expulsion of organic constituents by pyrolysis and/or combustion. The material consists at least to an essential part of such size fractions that admits a continuous charging during operation. The process is characterized in that said material during operation is charged continuously in an adjustable stream being controlled and/or adjusted by means of running measurements of different process variables so that the flow and composition of the combustible gas and the heat release is kept under control. A worked-up product substantially free from any organic substance is withdrawn from the reactor and is added to a conventional metal smelting process. The material is suitably supplied during operation by means of a charging equipment provided against or down through the single opening of the reactor by means of gravity and/or a pneumatic transport gas.