Abstract: A method and a device for cutting up bulky metal parts using a shearing assembly that includes a fixed lower jaw including a first cutting edge and an associated horizontal first bearing surface for the metal part, and an upper jaw that can be swiveled relative to the lower jaw and including a second cutting edge, the cutting edges forming a V-shape at the beginning of the cutting-up process. To facilitate easy positioning of the metal parts between the upper and lower jaws, it is proposed to position the metal part on a support that is composed of a first bearing surface of the lower jaw and a second bearing surface stretching laterally next to the first and in vertical projection under the upper jaw, and that the upper jaw is moved towards the lower jaw while at the same time adjusting the second bearing surface together with the upper jaw.

Abstract: Damaged or spent catalytic converters of the type having a metallic container for foil-shaped carriers of washcoats for catalysts of noble metal are recycled by admitting them into an impact pulverizer which forms a mixture of randomly distributed particles belonging to a first fraction containing dust-like particles of washcoats and catalyst or to a second fraction containing nonmagnetizable particles of containers and magnetizable particles of carriers. A high percentage of the first fraction is withdrawn from the pulverizer with an air stream which also entrains a percentage of the second fraction, primarily particles of carriers; such particles of carriers are separated from the stream in a first step and the particles of the first fraction are thereupon separated from the stream for admission into a collecting receptacle.