Apparatus and method for separating materials of various type

Method for separating materials of various type having different softening temperature values, comprising:

• a) pouring a mixture of flakes and fragments of said materials onto movable receiving and conveying means in a uniformly distributed manner, and
• b) advancing said mixture along a first portion of path;
• c) activating electromagnetic inductor means to heat by electromagnetic induction an outer metal surface, included in said movable receiving and conveying means, such as to reach a first lower softening temperature corresponding to a first material included in said mixture,
• d) subjecting said mixture to a separating action in which a first fraction of said mixture, composed of said first material, adheres to said outer metal surface due to the soft or pasty consistency thereof acquired upon contact with said outer metal surface that is heated to said first softening temperature, said first fraction of mixture remaining stuck to said outer metal surface along a second portion of path whereas the remaining part of said mixture, defining a second fraction composed of materials having softening temperatures higher than said first softening temperature, slips away from said outer metal surface by gravity along a third portion of path and falls freely to a receiving area located below,
• e) removing by scraping said first fraction of mixture from said outer metal surface and receiving said removed first fraction in a collection zone separated from said receiving zone and dedicated to said first material, and
• (f) before said removing, directing a jet of refrigerating-cleaning-substance containing air and carbon dioxide at low temperature to said first fraction of mixture advancing along said second portion of path, such as to cool and solidify said first fraction of mixture in order to promote the detachment thereof from said outer metal surface.