Aluminium Recovery from Salt Slag: Eddy Current Separator & Drum Magnet Solutions
Unlock maximum aluminium recovery from salt slag with Magnapower’s eddy current separator and drum magnet technology.
Salt slag processing is one of the toughest challenges in secondary aluminium production. Fine fractions, corrosive salts, abrasive dust, and irregular metal particles all make efficient metal separation difficult. However, with the right magnetic separation and eddy current separation technology, aluminium smelters and salt slag processors can turn this demanding residue into a high-value recovery stream.
At Magnapower, we engineer high-performance metal separation systems built for long-term reliability in the harshest environments. Our high-performance Eddy Current Separator (ECS), combined with our high-intensity drum magnet, delivers exceptional recovery of fine non-ferrous and ferrous metals. As a result, you can maximise yield, protect downstream equipment, and increase the value of your recovered material.
Why Does Salt Slag Need Application-Specific Metal Separation?
Salt slag fines often contain recoverable metallic aluminium, but the material’s characteristics make separation difficult:
- Fine particle sizes below 2 mm
- High salt content and corrosive behaviour
- Abrasive dust and irregular metal shapes
- Residual ferrous contamination affecting downstream performance
Without a dedicated separation process, valuable aluminium stays trapped in the reject fraction as eddy current waste resulting in lost revenue and reduced efficiency.
The Solution: Drum Magnet and Superfines Eddy Current Separator
Magnapower combines high‑intensity magnetic separation with a drum magnet, followed by the precision of our Superfines Eddy Current Separator, to deliver maximum recovery of fine aluminium from salt slag fractions.
1. Drum Magnet
Residual ferrous particles reduce eddy current separator efficiency and cause instability in downstream separation. For this reason, removing them first with a drum magnet is essential for a clean, reliable process.
Magnapower’s magnetic drum provides:
- High-intensity capture of fine ferrous contaminants
- Stable performance in corrosive, salt-rich environments
- Cleaner feed for maximum non-ferrous recovery
The drum magnet continuously removes ferrous material from the material stream, protecting the eddy current separator and improving overall metal separation efficiency.
2. Superfines Eddy Current Separator
Purpose-built for fine non-ferrous particles, the Superfines ECS delivers:
- High-frequency eccentric rotor for exceptional separation of small aluminium particles
- Optimised pole configuration for maximum throw and trajectory control
- Robust construction suitable for abrasive, corrosive salt slag
- High throughput with consistent recovery efficiency
The Magnapower Advantage
- Purpose-Built for Fine Aluminium Recovery: The Superfines ECS is engineered specifically for small-particle non-ferrous separation, making it ideal for salt slag fines.
- High Recovery, High Value: More recovered aluminium means higher yield, less waste, and increased value of remelt material.
- Long-Term Reliability: Magnapower systems are built to last, even in corrosive, abrasive environments where conventional magnetic separators struggle.
- Full Project Support: From material testing to process definition, system design, commissioning, and after-sales service, Magnapower supports your operation end-to-end.
Maximise Your Aluminium Recovery
If you’re looking to maximise aluminium recovery from salt slag, Magnapower can help. Let’s discuss your application and recovery targets.
SERVICES
We have a comprehensive team of specialised service engineers that can assist you
We combine our experience and expertise with your requirements to provide you with equipment which is right for the job. We can test your material and show how and why Magnapower separators provide unrivalled efficiency and performance.
Frequently asked questions
Explore our FAQs for clear, helpful insights and the support you need, everything in one place.
What is an eddy current separator used for?
An eddy current separator (ECS) is a type of metal separation equipment that removes non-ferrous metalssuch as aluminium, copper, and brass, from a material stream. It uses a rapidly rotating magnetic rotor to induce eddy currents in metal particles, repelling them from the rest of the waste stream so they can be collected separately.
Why is fine aluminium hard to recover from salt slag?
Fine aluminium particles below 2 mm are lightweight, irregularly shaped, and mixed with abrasive, corrosive salts. Standard eddy current separators and magnetic separators aren’t always optimised for this size range, which is why a Superfines ECS with a high-frequency rotor is needed for effective recovery.
What's the difference between a drum magnet and an eddy current separator?
A drum magnet (or magnetic drum) removes ferrous metals using magnetic attraction. An eddy current separator removes non-ferrous metals, like aluminium, using induced electromagnetic repulsion. In salt slag processing, the two work together: the drum magnet removes iron contamination first, then the ECS recovers fine aluminium from the remaining material.
How does a drum magnet improve eddy current separator performance?
Residual ferrous particles left in the feed can interfere with an eddy current separator’s rotor and reduce separation accuracy. A drum magnet, used as a magnetic conveyor ahead of the ECS, removes this ferrous contamination first, resulting in a cleaner feed and more consistent non-ferrous metal recovery.
Does Magnapower offer other types of magnetic separators?
Yes. Alongside drum magnets, Magnapower’s magnetic separation range includes overband magnetic separators, inline magnetic separators, and cross belt magnetic separators, each suited to different conveyor layouts and ferrous contamination levels.