Recovering copper from electric cable wastes using a particle shape separation technique

A particle shape separation technique was used to recover copper from electric cable wastes used in computer devices from the point of view of resource recycling. After the electric cables were crushed by a cutter mill, small pieces of the cables were impact milled for the purpose of liberating the copper wire from the plastic covering. The shape of the copper wires was prepared for separation by shape at the same time. By impact milling, the copper wires were twined and became pill-like particles. However, the shape of the plastic covering was irregular. An inclined conveyor and an inclined vibrating plate were used as the particle shape separator, and the most effective operating conditions for these apparatus were experimentally investigated. As a result, it was possible to separate copper from the plastic covering with high efficiency.