Experimental Modelling and Optimization of Electrostatic Roll-Type Separator for Efficient Recovery of Copper and Plastic from Waste Cables

In this paper, the "design of experiments" technique and “Response Surface Methodology” (RSM) were applied to optimize process parameters for electrostatic separation of particles. The study utilized a laboratory roll-type corona-electrostatic separator, with samples comprising 75 % copper and 25 % PVC obtained from electric cable waste. The investigation focused on understanding the behaviour of variables, their interactions, and their influences on purity and recovery rates of separated conductive and insulating materials. The factors under study were the high-voltage level, rotating roll speed, and granular feed rate. To validate the findings, real tests were conducted on an operational separator using 120 kg of a granular mixture of waste electrical cables. Using RSM, it was possible to minimize the number of experiments required for optimization, leading to a more efficient process.