Titanium Scrap Recovery System Using Magnetic and Eddy Current Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies in the production of titanium and zirconium materials fail to effectively recover and reuse scrap materials due to contamination with other metal chips, leading to the generation of low-value waste.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a first magnetic separator to extract ferromagnetic chips, an Eddy current separator to extract electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic chips, and a second magnetic separator, along with optional crushing and drying devices, to process and separate titanium, titanium alloys, zirconium, and zirconium alloys from contaminating elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If milling cutters are used to work titanium and zirconium materials, then finished parts can be produced for high-value applications, but scrap and chips are generated that require recovery and separation from contaminating materials
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into multiple sequential stages using different separation mechanisms: magnetic separation for ferromagnetic contaminants, density-based separation for non-magnetic contaminants, and eddy current separation for conductive non-ferromagnetic contaminants. Each stage targets specific contaminant types, progressively purifying the titanium and zirconium scrap material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes contaminating materials from the scrap mixture through multiple separation steps. Magnetic separators extract ferromagnetic particles, density separation units remove non-magnetic contaminants, and eddy current separators extract conductive non-ferromagnetic contaminants, thereby isolating the valuable titanium and zirconium material.
2Productivity
If machines are not properly cleaned between processing different materials, then processing efficiency is maintained, but the scrap becomes contaminated with other metal chips reducing its recovery value
Solution Approach 1:
The separation system processes the contaminated scrap material itself to remove contaminants, making the scrap recovery process self-sufficient. The multiple separation units work together to automatically purify the mixed scrap without requiring manual cleaning or external intervention, converting the contaminated material back into recoverable valuable metal.
3Device complexity
If a single separation method is used for scrap recovery, then the process is simple, but it cannot effectively separate multiple types of contaminating materials from titanium and zirconium
Solution Approach 1:
The separation system is segmented into multiple specialized units, each designed to target specific contaminant types based on their physical properties. Magnetic separators handle ferromagnetic contaminants, density separation units handle non-magnetic contaminants, and eddy current separators handle conductive non-ferromagnetic contaminants, achieving comprehensive separation through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits differences in physical parameters of the materials (magnetic susceptibility, density, electrical conductivity) to achieve separation. By changing the separation parameter at each stage - magnetic field for ferromagnetic materials, density gradient for non-magnetic materials, and electromagnetic induction for conductive materials - the system effectively separates diverse contaminant types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively recovers titanium and zirconium alloys by removing ferromagnetic and electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic contaminants, thereby preserving the economic value of the materials and enabling their reuse in high-value applications such as aerospace, biomedicine, and automotive industries.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic separator to extract ferromagnetic chips from said mixture of chips
Implementation Method 2
an Eddy current separator to extract the electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic chips from said mixture of chips disposed downstream said first magnetic separator
Implementation Method 3
second magnetic separator disposed downstream said Eddy current separator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the recovery of titanium, titanium alloys, zirconium and zirconium alloys is disclosed. The system is fed with a mixture of chips including titanium chips, titanium alloy chips, zirconium chips and zirconium alloy chips, ferromagnetic chips and electrically conductive non-ferromagnetic chips. The system has at least one magnetic separator, a drying device and an Eddy current separator.