Development and Optimization of Eddy Currents in Conductive Particles Within the Magnetic Drum Separator Using Response Surface Modeling (RSM)

Eddy current separation using a rotary drum is a prominent technique for recovering non-ferrous conductive par-ticles from industrial waste. This method is especially effective for sorting conductive materials such as aluminum, copper, and silver… etc. This paper focuses on the design and simulation of an eddy current separator to enhance its performance. A response surface modeling (RSM) approach is utilized to optimize the induced eddy currents in conductive particles, accounting for variations in key parameters: drum speed, bar thickness, and number of poles. The experimental procedure involves a series of steps: (1) defining the variation limits of input variables, (2) establishing the optimal settings, and (3) assessing the process's robustness by testing its performance under slight variations from the set parameters. The study includes one-factor-at-a-time experiments and factorial designs to refine the separation process.