Eriez spells out zurik-to-zorba upgrade steps

Erie, Pennsylvania-based global equipment provider Eriez has issued a white paper on shredded metals separation titled “Processing Zurik to Zorba.” The document “highlights separation equipment that efficiently upgrades zurik to a more desirable and profitable zorba fraction while also reducing scrap yard fire hazards,” states the company.

The white paper, written by Eriez Recycling Market Manager Mike Shattuck, posits that stockpiles of zurik generate “a significant fire risk due to the hot metals surrounded by flammable debris.” It then outlines a procedure for “transforming relatively low-value zurik material into a copper-rich, high-value zorba product that is easier to market and sell,” says Eriez.

Shattuck says size reduction and liberation of zurik is key to ensuring the process improves profitability. “This copper-rich Zorba also commands a higher price than standard zorba and also is easier to market and sell. Additionally, this system creates a fine saleable stainless steel product.”

According to the white paper, equipment used within the zurik-to-zorba process consists of a ring mill, a small drum-type magnetic separator, an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) eddy current separator and a stainless steel magnetic separator.

Achieving maximum recovery and grade of the Zorba (more than 95 percent aluminum) requires the technology of a UHF eddy current separator, according to the firm. “Standard eddy current separators are only capable of recovering material coarser in size due to less frequency changes found in this type of magnetic circuit design and the larger size distribution,” states Eriez.

The white paper can be downloaded from this web page.