Abstract: A system for recovering ferrous metal components from waste materials includes a first magnetic separator for magnetically separating ferrous metal components from waste material and an impacting device for dislodging residual waste material from the surface of ferrous metal components separated by the first magnetic separator. The system may also include a second magnetic separator following the impacting device, a water washing system for cleaning ferrous metal components retained by the second magnetic separator, a ferrous metal collection station, a waste material collection station and conveyors for conveying the various unseparated and separated materials throughout the system. The impacting device includes a solid wall rotatable drum having at least one radially inwardly projecting protruberance on its interior surface. As the drum rotates, the protruberances lift the ferrous materials separated by the first magnetic separator.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a system and a method for recovering salvageable ferrous and non-ferrous materials from incinerated waste materials including friable, carbonaceous incineration byproducts such as ash and associated ferrous and non-ferrous metal components. The system includes at least one crushing means for selectively comminuting friable material comprised of a rotating roll having at least one protrusion, preferably a weld extending transversely to the direction of rotation of roll, on its exterior cylindrical surfaces in spaced relation to a backing plate. The backing plate is urged toward the roll by a bias means exerted a preferably adjustable pressure sufficient to comminute the friable carbonaceous material to a desired size, and insufficient so as to permit the backing plate to retract and allow passage of ferrous and non-ferrous components in the waste material through the crushing means substantially uncomminuted.