Method and apparatus for the separation of a material mixture and use of the apparatus

In a method for environmentally sound separation of a material mixture into individual material components of different character, wherein the material mixture is continuously fed to a rotating inwardly elastic sorting drum from a depositing area, the drum having a direction of rotation and an axis of rotation, the improved method comprising the steps of:

• constructing the sorting drum as a centrifugal drum brush, the drum brush having bristles with rigidity, elasticity, a circumferential speed, wherein the drum brush takes on a cylindrical shape when rotated at the circumferential speed;
• guiding the material mixture above the sorting drum and dropping the mixture into contact with the sorting drum, the contact creating an area pressure;
• absorbing a fraction of the material components which creates a greater area pressure within the sorting drum and delivering the fraction below the sorting drum, wherein the fraction travels within the drum brush in the direction of drum rotation;
• suspending a second fraction of the material components which creates a smaller area pressure and delivering the second fraction tangentially from the sorting drum, wherein the second fraction travels substantially on the drum brush in the direction of drum rotation;
• and,
• determining the elasticity of the drum and the area pressure created by the contact between the individual material components of the material mixture and the drum, by selecting the circumferential speed of the drum and the rigidity of the drum bristles.

A method for the separation of a material mixture into individual lighter and heavier material components, the method comprising the steps of:

• continuously feeding the material mixture above the drum;
• and,
• dropping the mixture into contact with an inwardly elastic drum from a depositing area, the drum having a direction of rotation and the depositing area ranging +30 degrees from a vertical line positioned perpendicular to the axis of rotation,
• wherein, the heavier fraction sinks into the drum and is delivered below the drum, and the lighter fraction is suspended by the drum and is rejected tangentially from the drum.

A method for the separation of a material mixture into individual lighter and heavier material components, the method comprising the steps of:

• continuously feeding the material mixture above an inwardly elastic centrifugal-force drum brush, wherein elasticity of the brush is determined by the circumferential speed of the brush;
• and,
• dropping the mixture into contact with the brush from a depositing area, the brush having a direction of rotation,
• wherein, the heavier fraction of material components sink into the brush and is delivered below the brush, and the lighter fraction of material components is suspended by the brush and is rejected tangentially from the brush.

In a method for environmentally sound separation of a material mixture into individual material components of different character, wherein the material mixture is continuously fed to a rotating inwardly elastic drum from a depositing area, the drum having a direction of rotation and an axis of rotation, the improved method comprising the steps of:

• constructing the sorting drum as a centrifugal drum brush, the brush having bristles with rigidity, elasticity and a circumferential speed, wherein the brush is cylindrically shaped when rotated at the circumferential speed;
• guiding the material mixture above the rotating brush and dropping the mixture into contact with the brush, causing the material mixture to travel with the brush, in the direction of brush rotation, wherein an area pressure is created by the contact;
• and,
• dividing the material mixture of material components according to a common characteristic into fractions as the mixture travels with the drum, in the direction of drum rotation,
• wherein the elasticity of the brush and the area pressure created by the contact is determined by selecting the rigidity of the bristles.

In a method for environmentally sound separation of a material mixture into individual material components of different character, wherein the material mixture is continuously fed to a rotating inwardly elastic drum from a depositing area, the drum having a direction of rotation and an axis of rotation, the improved method comprising the steps of:

• constructing the sorting drum as a centrifugal drum brush, the brush having bristles with rigidity, elasticity and a circumferential speed, wherein the brush is cylindrically shaped when rotated at the circumferential speed;
• guiding the material mixture above the rotating brush and dropping the mixture into contact with the brush, causing the material mixture to travel with the brush, in the direction of brush rotation, wherein an area pressure is created by the contact;
• and,
• dividing the material mixture into fractions of material components according to a common characteristic as the mixture travels with the drum, in the direction of drum rotation,
• wherein the elasticity of the brush and the area pressure created by the contact is determined by selecting the number of bristles per unit area.