Abstract: A centering roller which is used with reinforced conveyor belts has permanent magnets within its outer shell to attract the steel cables used to reinforce the lateral portions of the belt. Preferably, the permanent magnets are of the rare earth variety to provide increased magnetic attraction and ensure centering of the belt.

Abstract: The magnetic susceptibility of one or more plastic articles is enhanced to enable their separation from a waste stream using magnetic separators. An amount of paramagnetic material is added to the plastic formulation to influence magnetic susceptibility without affecting the properties associated with the function of the plastic article. The material is preferably selected from a group consisting of magnetite, ferro-silicon and ferromagnetic particles (e.g., iron filings). The amount or material can be varied in the range of between 0.05% and 5% by weight of the plastic formulation. The plastic with altered magnetic susceptibility and a method separating that plastic from a waste stream are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for separating particles based on differences in mass after the selective attachment of air bubbles to reduce the density of one or more of the components of the feed. A novel feature of this process is aeration of a hindered-bed of solids in a fluidized-bed separator to create particle/bubble agglomerates that can be separated based on the principal of gravity. This approach offers an improvement in process efficiency that cannot be achieved by other processes. Air and water are mixed in a shear device before the aerated fluidized water is introduced to the separation chamber.

Abstract: A combination electromagnet and permanent magnet separator is disclosed made up of a rotatable non-magnetic drum made of a suitable metalic material (stainless steel). A magnet assembly in the drum, which includes the electromagnet and permanent magnets. The drum can be rotated at a position near the upper end of an inclined belt conveyor carrying ferrous and non-ferrous material. The belt discharges the non-ferrous material into a first chute. The ferrous material is picked out of the non-ferrous material by magnetic force from the electromagnet and attracted to the surface of the drum. The force from the electromagnet holds the ferrous material to the drum, which carries the ferrous material into the field of the permanent magnet, which continues to hold the ferrous material to the drum and as the drum moves the ferrous material out of the field of the permanent magnet, the ferrous material is released and dropped into a second chute.