Patent ID: 6464082
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: B03B,B07C,Y02W,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for separating mixed particulates containing recycled glass, which comprises the steps of:separating out ferrous metal from the mixed particulates by delivering the mixed particulates to a magnetic separator; separating the mixed particulates into a magnetic fraction and a non-magnetic fraction and removing the magnetic fraction; dividing the non-magnetic fraction into a coarse component and a fine component; crushing particulates in the coarse component and admixing them with the fine component so as to render the non-magnetic fraction into components of a relatively uniform size; separating out light and low density material by applying an air flow to the non-magnetic fraction after said crushing, to entrain and remove air-borne chaff; separating out soluble fractions by washing the non-magnetic fraction in a washing solution after said separating by air flow, to entrain and remove soluble and water borne fractions; and drying the washed particulates; separating out non-magnetic metal particulates from the non-magnetic fraction; wherein said separating and dividing steps produce a fraction substantially consisting of glass and non-glass contaminants having selective characteristics that resemble but are distinguishable from glass; and, lastly, separating out the non-glass contaminants having said selective characteristics, whereby the remaining fraction consists essentially of glass wherein said selective characteristics are substantially uniform.