What Is Eddy Current Separation? Recovering Non-Ferrous Metals from Recycling Lines
Eddy current separation is an electromagnetic sorting technology that recovers non-ferrous metals — such as aluminum, copper, and brass — from mixed material streams. It is a core process in plastics recycling, electronic waste (e-waste) handling, and post-industrial material recovery.
How Does an Eddy Current Separator Work?
The separator uses a rapidly rotating magnetic rotor inside a non-metallic conveyor drum. As conductive non-ferrous metal particles pass over the drum, the alternating magnetic field induces electrical currents — called eddy currents — within the metal. These eddy currents generate an opposing magnetic field that creates a repelling force, propelling the metal away from non-metallic materials like plastic, glass, or paper.
What Materials Can Be Separated?
- Aluminum cans and foil from municipal solid waste
- Copper wire and granules from cable shredding lines
- Brass fittings from demolition and scrap streams
- Aluminum caps from plastic bottle recycling lines
Why Is Eddy Current Separation Important?
Non-ferrous metals are valuable commodities. Recovering them from mixed waste streams generates direct revenue while improving the purity of downstream plastic recyclate. For facilities processing post-consumer or post-industrial waste, an eddy current separator is typically one of the highest-return pieces of equipment on the line.
Reylong Eddy Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator Line
Reylong manufactures a complete Eddy Current Non-Ferrous Metal Separator Line designed for integration into existing recycling and sorting plants. Key features include adjustable rotor frequency for different particle sizes, high-throughput belt design, and a compact footprint suitable for retrofitting into existing facilities.
Contact our team to discuss specifications and capacity requirements for your facility.