Method for separating waste particles and particle separation assembly

Abstract

A method of separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions having different mass densities, the method comprising: feeding the mixture of waste particles into a volume of ferromagnetic fluid held in a magnetic field configured for magnetic density separation of waste particles in the volume of ferromagnetic fluid; by utilizing a magnetic field and a magnetic density separation principle, waste particles in a certain volume of ferrofluid are spatially distributed along a separation direction with a horizontal component according to the mass density of the waste particles; removing the waste particles from the volume of ferromagnetic fluid along a removal direction substantially transverse to the separation direction while at least partially maintaining the spatial distribution; and separating the removed waste particles into particle size fractions having different mass densities using the at least partially maintained spatial distribution.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions having different mass densities and to a particle separation assembly.

[0002] Such methods and assemblies are known per se, for example in the context of recycling waste cable strands comprising a mixture of metals and plastics. In the known assembly, the principle of magnetic density separation (MDS) is employed to spatially distribute waste particles in a volume of ferrofluid according to the mass density of the waste particles, thereby allowing subsequent separation into different particle size fractions. Since different materials tend to have different mass densities, the resulting particle size fractions can essentially correspond to different materials.

[0003] In the known method, the waste particles move through the narrow separator opening. It has been found that, in particular for cable waste particles, this can lead to blockages. In addition, in the known method, the ferrofluid may be lost or reduced, resulting in excessive costs.

[0004] The present invention aims to at least partially solve at least one of the above problems.A further object is to provide a relatively reliable, accurate, efficient and / or economical particle separation method, in particular for waste particles from cable strands.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a method for separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions with different mass densities. The method comprises: feeding the mixture of waste particles into a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid maintained in a magnetic field, the magnetic field being configured to perform magnetic density separation on the waste particles in the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid; using the magnetic field, by the principle of magnetic density separation, spatially distributing the waste particles in the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid along a separation direction having a horizontal component according to the mass density of the waste particles; removing the waste particles from the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid along a removal direction while at least partially maintaining the spatial distribution, the removal direction being substantially transverse to the separation direction; and separating the removed waste particles into particle size fractions with different mass densities using the at least partially maintained spatial distribution.

[0006] The mixture of waste particles may comprise a mixture of different materials, such as metals and plastics.For example, the waste particles may be electronic waste particles, such as those resulting from cutting or shredding cable strands.

[0007] It should be understood from the above that the term separation direction is used in this article to refer to the direction along which the waste particles in a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid are spatially distributed according to the mass density of the waste particles by the principle of magnetic density separation. Therefore, as a separated part, each particle will usually move to a position corresponding to the corresponding mass density of the particle along this direction. In conventional methods, the separation direction is usually vertical, i.e., there is no horizontal component, wherein the particle will usually move to a corresponding position or level along the vertical direction, which is lower for particles with higher density and higher for particles with lower density. In such conventional methods, separation is then usually completed using separator openings arranged at different levels, wherein the particles will usually approach and enter different separator openings according to the mass density of the particles after having been vertically distributed along the vertical separation direction in space, and each separator opening corresponds to different particle size levels.

[0008] By the separation direction with a horizontal component and a removal direction approximately transverse to the separation direction according to the present invention, the use of a separator as in the known method can be advantageously omitted, so that clogging can be avoided. Therefore, by the combination of this geometric feature, a relatively simple and economical method can be provided, in particular replacing a traditional separator with a common removal channel. In addition, compared with such traditional methods, a relatively high degree of reuse of the ferromagnetic fluid can be provided, as further explained elsewhere in this article. At the same time, a single separation component, for example a ferromagnetic fluid with a single volume may be sufficient to separate the particles into a large number of particle size fractions, in particular at least three particle size fractions, for example four, five, six, seven or more particle size fractions.

[0009] Within a volume of ferrofluid, the contours of the magnetic field can extend approximately obliquely. In this way, the separation direction can effectively be provided with a horizontal component while still supporting the principle of magnetic density separation.

[0010] In particular, such a contour line may be tilted downward from the position where the mixture of waste particles is fed into a certain volume of ferrofluid. In this way, the final density of the ferrofluid can effectively form a stack that tilts downward. After being fed into a certain volume of ferrofluid, in particular from above, the high-density particles will then tend to follow a trajectory that is at least on average steeper than the low-density particles, so that the particles can therefore be spatially distributed according to mass density along a separation direction with a horizontal component. For example, the spatial distribution can therefore be a substantially horizontal distribution, in particular along a substantially horizontal plane, such as the plane of the surface on which the particles fall at the end of the above-mentioned trajectory.

[0011] The end sections of the separation direction and / or the trajectory of the particle can be particularly approximately parallel to the inclined contour line of the magnetic field. Therefore, after initially falling to a level corresponding to the mass density of the particle mainly through the ferromagnetic fluid, the particle can then mainly slide further through the ferromagnetic fluid along the separation direction, falling on the corresponding different horizontal positions along the conveyor surface according to the level at which the particle initially falls. Due to the approximately inclined contour line, the end distribution of the particle can therefore have a horizontal component, particularly approximately horizontal, while being obtained from the initial mainly vertical distribution. Thus, it can be further understood that the term separation direction used herein refers to the direction along which the waste particles in a certain volume of the ferromagnetic fluid are spatially distributed according to the mass density of the waste particles by the principle of magnetic density separation. Therefore, the described separation direction has a horizontal component, at least in the sense that magnetic density separation can produce a horizontal component in the final particle distribution.

[0012] In order to support such a horizontal separation, the feed direction of the feed preferably has a horizontal component, in particular is approximately aligned with the separation direction.

[0013] The feed direction is preferably approximately transverse to the removal direction and / or vice versa, the removal direction is preferably approximately transverse to the feed direction, so that the spatial distribution can be maintained during and / or after removal.

[0014] The removal is preferably performed using a conveyor surface that is permeable to the ferrofluid and impermeable to the waste particles. In this way, the ferrofluid can be facilitated to remain behind when the particles are removed from a volume of ferrofluid, and / or the ferrofluid removed from a volume of ferrofluid with the particles can be drained from the particles for recovery and reuse.

[0015] In order to at least partially maintain the spatial distribution, the waste particles can be caused to fall on a section of the conveyor surface extending in a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid, in particular at a position corresponding to the spatial distribution. This section of the conveyor surface can form the aforementioned approximately horizontal plane on which the particles can fall. Another section of the conveyor surface can extend outside the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid, so that when the conveyor surface is driven in the removal direction, the particles that have fallen on the conveyor surface can thus be removed from the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid.

[0016] In practice, waste particles may be removed from a volume of ferrofluid together with residues of the ferrofluid adhering thereto. This may occur even when drainage is provided as described above, in particular due to the surface tension of the ferrofluid and / or affinity between the waste particles and the ferrofluid. In order to reduce the costs of replacing the relatively expensive ferrofluid, the method preferably comprises recovering at least a portion of the residues of the ferrofluid from the removed waste particles for reuse of the ferrofluid.

[0017] Recycling can include: exposing the removed waste particles to a gas flow, such as air, to thereby drive at least some of the remnants of the ferromagnetic fluid away from the removed waste particles; and capturing at least a portion of the driven ferromagnetic fluid. The gas flow is preferably directed substantially downwardly so as to be generally aligned with the direction of gravity, and the ferromagnetic fluid can be discharged along the direction of gravity.

[0018] It has been found that this combination of gas flow and gravity is advantageously capable of dislodging and draining a large portion of the adhering ferrofluid from the removed waste particles.

[0019] In a very advantageous embodiment, the residues of the ferrofluid are diluted before and / or during the recovery, in particular before and / or during the exposure to the gas stream.

[0020] Although such dilution may initially slow down the recovery of adhered ferrofluid, particularly the recovery of ferrofluid driven off by the gas stream, it has been found that the overall yield of recovery can thereby be greatly increased. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this effect may be related to the evaporation of part of the adhered residue of the ferrofluid, particularly when exposed to the gas stream: evaporation may cause the remaining adhered ferrofluid to become more concentrated and therefore increasingly difficult to drive off or otherwise recover from the particles. By actively diluting the residue at the appropriate location, i.e. when the residue adheres to the particles, this evaporation effect can be compensated, thereby allowing a larger amount of the residue to be recovered rather than remaining in the waste particles. The dilution is preferably such that, in combination with the above-mentioned evaporation, the final concentration of the recovered ferrofluid is approximately the same as the initial concentration of the ferrofluid, e.g. the initial concentration of the ferrofluid present in a certain volume of ferrofluid.

[0021] Dilution of the residue preferably comprises supplying, for example spraying and / or atomizing, a diluent for the ferrofluid, such as water, onto the removed waste particles.

[0022] The supply of diluent may be performed intermittently. In this way, one or more cycles of dilution and recovery may be performed as needed until the amount of residue remaining with the waste particles is deemed sufficiently low, for example below about 5% by mass.

[0023] Alternatively, the supply of diluent may be performed in a single continuous period. In any case, dilution is preferably stopped before recovery, in particular expulsion, is stopped.

[0024] The recovered ferromagnetic fluid is preferably fed back to a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid, preferably after having been filtered and / or mixed. In this way, ferromagnetic fluid lost from a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid, in particular ferromagnetic fluid lost with the removal of waste particles, can be at least partially replenished, in particular without the need to supply new ferromagnetic fluid. A filter and / or a mixer, for example a passive mixer, can be provided for this purpose. Mixing of the recovered ferromagnetic fluid before feeding back can advantageously suppress segregation.

[0025] Another aspect provides a particle separation assembly for separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions with different mass densities. The particle separation assembly includes: a container for holding a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid; a feeder for feeding the mixture of waste particles into the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid; a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field configured to perform magnetic density separation on waste particles in the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid; and a transfer machine, preferably a conveyor, configured to remove waste particles from the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid.

[0026] The particle separation assembly is preferably configured to be used in a method according to any one of the preceding claims. In particular, the particle separation assembly may be configured to automatically perform all or part of the method.

[0027] Such a particle separation assembly provides corresponding advantages as described above with respect to the method.

[0028] The particle separation assembly may also include a fan assembly configured to expose the removed waste particles to a gas flow, such as air, to dislodge remnants of the ferrofluid from the removed waste particles.

[0029] As described above, such a gas flow may advantageously improve the recovery of ferrofluid from the removed particles.

[0030] The particle separation assembly is preferably configured to control the volumetric rate and / or temperature of the gas flow, and the method preferably comprises controlling said volumetric rate and / or temperature, in particular according to one or more predefined control parameters, such as a target or range and / or according to an observed volume and / or concentration of recovered ferromagnetic fluid and / or according to the volumetric rate and / or temperature of a diluent supplied to the particles.

[0031] First, such control of the gas flow can facilitate the removal of the ferrofluid from the particles by draining, thereby facilitating the recovery of the ferrofluid. In this regard, it should be noted that the gas flow can be the main driving force for the removal and draining of the initially adhered ferrofluid from the particles, while the supply of diluent is mainly used to maintain a dilute level or low concentration of the ferrofluid still adhered to the particles.

[0032] At the same time, it has been found that such control of the gas flow can enable manual and / or automatic regulation of the evaporation of the ferrofluid, in particular to promote a relatively constant volume and / or concentration of the ferrofluid. To this end, as part of the control, the concentration of the discharged ferrofluid can be evaluated, in particular by comparison with a target and / or reference value, such as concentration, of the ferrofluid in the container.

[0033] The particle separation assembly may also include a diluent supply assembly, for example including one or more injectors and / or atomizers, configured to supply a diluent for the ferrofluid, such as water, onto the removed waste particles.

[0034] In this manner, as described above, the recovery yield of ferrofluid can be increased, thereby saving costs associated with supplying new ferrofluid.

[0035] In the following, the invention will be further explained using examples of implementation and drawings. The drawings are schematic and show examples only. In the drawings, corresponding elements are provided with corresponding reference numerals. In the drawings:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a particle separation assembly;

[0037] Figure 2 Shown with Figure 1 The cross-sectional view corresponding to the line II-II in FIG.

[0038] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 2 The view of the view corresponds to the contour line of the magnetic field in the view;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a particle separation assembly according to another example; and

[0040] Figure 5 A top view of a conveyor surface with particles distributed thereon is shown, wherein different mass densities of the particles are illustrated by corresponding different shaded densities, and wherein bins corresponding to different particle size fractions are shown at the ends of the conveyor surface.

[0041] Figure 1A particle separation assembly 1 for separating a mixture of waste particles P into particle size fractions with different mass densities is shown. The particle separation assembly 1 comprises: a container 2 for holding a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3; a feeder 4 for feeding the mixture of waste particles P into a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3; a magnet 5, the magnet 5 is configured to generate a magnetic field M, the magnetic field M is configured to perform magnetic density separation on the waste particles P in the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3; and a transfer machine, here a conveyor 6, which is configured to remove the waste particles P from the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3.

[0042] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 A cross section taken along line II-II in FIG. Figure 3 Shown with Figure 2 Corresponding diagram, in which examples of contour lines C1 , C2 of the field strength of the magnetic field M are indicated.

[0043] For the sake of clarity of the drawing, only some of the waste particles P are depicted, wherein only some of the depicted particles are indicated by the reference sign P. It should be understood that additional and / or different waste particles may be present, in particular also in Figure 2 on the right-hand side of the conveyor surface 9 in and correspondingly present in Figure 4 It should be understood that the waste particles P can have a variety of shapes, sizes and compositions.

[0044] As will be understood from this specification, the particle separation assembly 1 is configured to be used in a method for separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions having different mass densities as described herein. In particular, the particle separation assembly 1 can be configured to automatically perform the method, for example under the control of a correspondingly configured controller, which can be included in the assembly 1 and / or external to the assembly 1.

[0045] Reference Figure 2 The method comprises feeding a mixture of waste particles P, for example using a feeder 4, to a medium maintained in a magnetic field M (see Figure 3 ), the magnetic field M is configured to perform magnetic density separation on the waste particles P in the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3. The certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3 can be kept in the above-mentioned container 2. The magnetic field M can be generated by the above-mentioned magnet 5.

[0046] The method comprises: using a magnetic field M, by the principle of magnetic density separation (MDS), causing waste particles P in a certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3 to be spatially distributed along a separation direction S having a horizontal component according to the mass density of the waste particles P, for example, Figure 2Here, it can be observed that, under the influence of gravity, the particles P follow different downward sloping trajectories T (for the sake of clarity of the drawing, only one of the trajectories is provided with the reference symbol T). The lower density particles follow on average less steep trajectories than the trajectories of the higher density particles. The particles are therefore distributed spatially according to their mass density, here from Figure 2 The high density on the left side of Figure 2 Thus, the resulting spatial distribution may be a substantially horizontal distribution, in particular along a substantially horizontal plane.

[0047] To achieve the downward sloping trajectory T, refer to Figure 3 Within the volume of ferrofluid 3 , the contours C1 , C2 of the magnetic field M may extend substantially obliquely, in particular downwardly from the location where the mixture of waste particles P is fed into the volume of ferrofluid 3 .

[0048] The method comprises removing waste particles P from a volume of ferrofluid 3 along a removal direction R, which is substantially transverse to the separation direction S, while at least partially maintaining the spatial distribution. For the example shown, the removal direction R is Figure 1 Best seen in Figure 2 , the removal direction extends in the plane of the drawing.

[0049] like Figure 2 In order to at least partially maintain the spatial distribution, as can be seen in FIG. 1 , the waste particles P are caused to fall onto the section of the conveyor surface 9 extending in the volume of ferrofluid 3 , in particular at positions corresponding to the spatial distribution. Figure 5 A possible final arrangement of the particles P on the conveyor surface 9 is illustrated in , which arrangement is substantially maintained after the particles P have fallen, wherein, for illustration purposes, the shaded density of the particles P is used to indicate the mass density of the particles P.

[0050] The method comprises separating the removed waste particles P into particle size fractions with different mass densities with at least partially maintained spatial distribution. Furthermore, the removed waste particles can be fed from the conveyor 6 to, for example, a Figure 1 The different bins 12 on the right hand side of the conveyor 6 corresponding to the ranges adjacent to each other in the transverse direction (see, for example, Figure 5 ). Figure 5 In, with Figure 2 In accordance with the above, the particles P with greater density are received on the conveyor surface 9 further to the left, while the particles P with less density are received further to the right. Figure 5 Six different bins 12 corresponding to six different density fractions are shown in FIG, but it will be appreciated that different numbers of bins and fractions are possible.

[0051] Feed direction F of the feed (see for example Figure 2 ) here has a horizontal component, in particular approximately transversely to the removal direction R and / or approximately aligned with the separation direction S.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 5 , the removal is here performed using a conveyor surface 9 of the conveyor 6. The conveyor surface 9 is permeable to the ferrofluid but impermeable to the waste particles. For example, the conveyor surface 9 may be perforated and / or include a mesh having openings that are smaller than the waste particles but large enough to discharge the ferrofluid therethrough. Such a conveyor surface 9 will also typically be permeable to gas, particularly from the gas stream G described elsewhere herein.

[0053] Although the conveyor 9 is permeable to the ferrofluid, waste particles P can still be removed from the volume of ferrofluid 3 together with adhering ferrofluid residues (not shown). Figure 1 and Figure 4 The method then preferably further comprises recovering at least a portion of the residue of the ferrofluid from the removed waste particles P for reuse of the ferrofluid.

[0054] Here, recycling includes: exposing the removed waste particles to a gas flow G to thereby drive at least some of the remnants of the ferrofluid away from the removed waste particles P; and capturing at least a portion of the driven ferrofluid.

[0055] Accordingly, in the example shown, the particle separation assembly 1 further comprises a fan assembly 7 (see Figure 1 ), the fan assembly 7 is configured to expose the removed waste particles to the gas flow G to drive the residues of the ferrofluid away from the removed waste particles. Since the conveyor surface 9 is also gas permeable, a generally downward gas flow G can be induced here by suction from below the conveyor assembly 9.

[0056] exist Figure 1 It can be observed that the same gas flow G can be used further downstream to more easily separate the waste particles P from the conveyor surface 9, for example so that the waste particles P reliably fall into different bins 12 depending on their lateral position on the conveyor surface 9, thereby producing particle size fractions with different mass densities.

[0057] Furthermore, the residues of the ferrofluid are diluted during recovery, in particular during exposure to the gas flow G.

[0058] Accordingly, in the example shown (see Figure 1 and Figure 4), the particle separation component 1 also includes a diluent supply component 8, which is configured to supply a diluent D for the ferromagnetic fluid to the removed waste particles.

[0059] Dilution of the residues here comprises supplying, in particular spraying and / or atomizing, a diluent D for the ferrofluid, here water, onto the removed waste particles.

[0060] exist Figure 4 In the example, the supply of diluent is performed intermittently, while Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 4 , the supplying is performed only for a single period when the particles are conveyed in the removal direction R along the conveyor surface 9 .

[0061] In the example shown, after being discharged through the conveyor surface 9, the ferromagnetic fluid is captured in a recovery tray 11. The recovered ferromagnetic fluid is then fed back to a volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3, preferably after having been used, for example, as Figure 1 The filter and / or mixing assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 is fed back a volume of ferromagnetic fluid 3 after filtering and / or mixing. The filter and / or mixing assembly 10 may include a reservoir and / or a pump and / or a sensor, such as a pressure sensor, for the ferromagnetic fluid and may therefore be configured to maintain the level of the volume of ferromagnetic fluid within predetermined limits, at least as much as possible depending on the amount of ferromagnetic fluid actually recovered from the removed particles P.

[0062] The particle separation assembly 1, such as the filter and / or mixing assembly 10, can feed information from one or more sensors to a controller (not shown) associated with the particle separation assembly 1. In this way, the controller can at least partially utilize feedback control to adjust and / or recommend adjustments to the gas flow G and / or the supply of diluent D to improve the recovery of the ferrofluid.

[0063] Many variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations are understood to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0064] Reference numerals list

[0065] 1. Particle separation components

[0066] 2. Container

[0067] 3. A certain volume of ferrofluid

[0068] 4. Feeder

[0069] 5. Magnets

[0070] 6. Conveyor

[0071] 7. Fan assembly

[0072] 8. Diluent supply assembly

[0073] 9. Conveyor surface

[0074] 10. Filters and / or mixing components

[0075] 11. Recycle pallets

[0076] 12. Warehouse

[0077] B. Mass density gradient

[0078] D. Supply of diluent

[0079] F. Feeding direction

[0080] G. Gas Flow

[0081] M. Magnetic field

[0082] P. Waste particles

[0083] R.Remove direction

[0084] S. Separation direction

[0085] T. Particle Trajectory

Claims

1. A method for separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions having different mass densities, the method comprising: - feeding the mixture of waste particles into a volume of ferrofluid held in a magnetic field, the magnetic field being configured for magnetic density separation of the waste particles in the volume of ferrofluid; - using the magnetic field, by the magnetic density separation principle, the waste particles in the certain volume of ferromagnetic fluid are spatially distributed along a separation direction having a horizontal component according to the mass density of the waste particles; - removing the waste particles from the volume of ferrofluid along a removal direction, substantially transverse to the separation direction, while at least partially maintaining the spatial distribution; as well as - Separating the removed waste particles into size fractions with different mass densities with an at least partially maintained spatial distribution.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Within the volume of ferrofluid, the contour of the magnetic field extends substantially obliquely, in particular sloping downwardly from the location where the mixture of waste particles is fed into the volume of ferrofluid.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The spatial distribution is a substantially horizontal distribution, in particular along a substantially horizontal plane.

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The feeding direction of the feeding has a horizontal component, in particular is substantially transverse with respect to the removal direction and / or is substantially aligned with the separation direction.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The removing is performed using a conveyor surface that is permeable to the ferrofluid and impermeable to the waste particles.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: In order to at least partially maintain the spatial distribution, the waste particles are caused to fall on a section of the conveyor surface extending in the volume of ferrofluid, in particular at a position corresponding to the spatial distribution.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The waste particles are removed from the volume of ferrofluid along with adhered ferrofluid residues, wherein the method further comprises recovering at least a portion of the ferrofluid residues from the removed waste particles for reuse of the ferrofluid.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The recycling includes exposing the removed waste particles to a gas flow to thereby dislodge at least some of the remnants of the ferrofluid from the removed waste particles; and capturing at least a portion of the dislodged ferrofluid.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The residues of the ferrofluid are diluted before and / or during the recycling, in particular before and / or during the exposure to the gas flow.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The dilution of the residue comprises supplying, for example spraying and / or atomizing, a diluent for the ferrofluid, such as water, onto the removed waste particles.

11. The method according to claim 10, in particular when dependent on claim 8, wherein: The supply of the diluent is performed intermittently.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein: The recovered ferrofluid is fed back to the volume of ferrofluid, preferably after having been filtered.

13. A particle separation assembly for separating a mixture of waste particles into particle size fractions having different mass densities, the particle separation assembly comprising: - a container for holding a volume of ferrofluid; - a feeder for feeding the mixture of waste particles into the volume of ferrofluid; - a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field configured for magnetic density separation of waste particles in the volume of ferrofluid; and - a transfer machine, preferably a conveyor, configured to remove said waste particles from said volume of ferrofluid, Therein, the particle separation assembly is configured to be used in a method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in particular, the particle separation assembly is configured to automatically perform the method.

14. The particle separation assembly of claim 13, further comprising a fan assembly configured to expose the removed waste particles to a gas flow to drive remnants of ferrofluid away from the removed waste particles.

15. The particle separation assembly of claim 13 or 14, further comprising a diluent supply assembly configured to supply a diluent for the ferrofluid onto the removed waste particles.

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