Magnetic segregation of mixed non-ferrous solid materials in refuse

A method for segregating mixed solids materials, including mixed metals and non-metals, that remain in refuse or waste materials after initial separations of low density materials and magnetically removable ferrous materials, which method comprises the steps of:

• a. effecting the dropping of a batch of mixed solids materials downwardly through a defined vertically elongated dropping zone,
• b. simultaneously providing a constant magnetic field comprised of vertically spaced magnetic members or opposed sides of the dropping zone for substantially the length of the dropping zone to cause material fragments to cut through the magnetic lines of force and result in effecting retarding forces on the conductive materials of said batch proportional to the conductivity of each such piece of material and to its mass/density characteristics,
• c. providing a downward air current flow in interconnection with said dropping zone causing an air stream to flow downwardly at the approximate average velocity of the falling material which is to be separated such as to minimize the effects of wind resistance,
• d. providing timed and synchronized diversions of the solids materials at the lower end of the dropping zone by movable particle deflector means to effect a plurality of resulting time-of-flight separations for the different materials, and,
• e. effecting the collection of segregated types of solids and metals within different areas of said dropping zone.