Magnetic drum separator and method for operation thereof

A magnetic drum separator comprising:

• a drum which is rotatable about an axis of rotation;
• an interior space in the drum;
• an arrangement of magnets having a plurality of the magnets arranged within the interior space in the drum;
• a separation zone located in an exterior space outside the drum, and configured for material to be processed to flow through the separation zone;
• the arrangement of magnets producing a magnetic field operable for separating the material to be processed into a waste stream and a useful material stream in the separation zone in accordance with separation characteristics of the drum separator;
• a relative position of at least one of the magnets relative to the drum axis of rotation can be altered;
• a set-point value can be issued for a process value on the drum separator, wherein the process value is influenced by the separation characteristics;
• at least one measuring instrument for determining an actual value of the process value;
• and
• a regulator configured for automatically changing the relative position of the at least one of the magnets automatically in a manner to regulate the actual value toward the set-point value.