The recovery of non-ferrous metals from broken light bulbs using the magnetic liquid based separation

Abstract

The paper presents results of a study on the selective separation technology of ferrous and non-ferrous metals from broken light bulbs. The proposed method is to use magnetic fluids to obtain a magnetic fluid based- separation. [1] The study was conducted using three types of waste materials: regular light bulbs, auto light bulbs and neon tubes. In order to process the waste materials, a six stages technologic flow was developed: a) separation of light bulbs components; b) Physical and chemical analysis of raw materials; c) grain conditioning of the raw material; d) dry magnetic separation of ferrous components; e) magnetic fluid separation of non-magnetic material; f) recovery of the magnetic fluid adhered to the surface of the separated material grains. [2] This study shows that magnetic fluid separation is only profitable for regular and auto light bulbs and is not profitable in the case of neon tubes. © 2010 Journal of Magnetics.