Abstract: A rope protector for protecting a rope as it passes through a grating. The rope protector comprises an enclosed channel portion, a head portion and a foot portion. The channel portion is waisted to allow the rope to be rotated within a hole in a grating. The head portion extends laterally from one end of the channel portion to prevent passage of the rope protector through the grating hole and the foot portion extends laterally from the other end of the channel portion to be passed through the grating hole when aligned with the grating hole and to prevent the foot portion being removed from the grating hole when rotated.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus for horticultural products such as blueberries and the like, which are conveyed along a predefined advancement path by respective movement units includes at least one dispenser of pressurized fluid, which can be activated on command during the transit of each product in order to send a jet of the pressurized fluid toward the product and consequently cause its fall from the respective movement unit. The apparatus also includes at least one deflector screen arranged facing and proximate to the dispenser, on the opposite side with respect to the predefined trajectory in order to intercept the products struck by the jet. The screen is inclined so as to define, between its face directed toward the dispenser and a vertical plane that passes through the dispenser, a work angle one and ninety degrees configured for the optimum downward deflection of the products.

Abstract: Provided is a color sorting machine capable of properly removing foreign mater even when the specific gravity of the object to be sorted is low. A color sorting machine M1 removes foreign matter F in the object to be sorted being conveyed from a conveyance route G into a removal route R.

Abstract: A seed flow chamber for handling seed and grain commodity, especially for use with a seed treatment applicator. Seed flow is received through an upper inlet opening configured to receive a flow of seed and discharged through a lower discharge opening. A diverging guide member splits the seed flow. A converging guide member disposed below the diverging guide member reunites the seed flow prior to discharge. The converging member has a downward sloping surface and an air vent, such as a plurality of airflow apertures connected to a plenum. The air vent is configured to communicate with an air supply. A vacuum vent—disposed below the diverging guide member—is configured to communicate with a vacuum source. A fan system recirculates air between the air vent and the vacuum vent. Dehumidifier may condition the air supply to assist with drying.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester including a chassis, a threshing and separating system for separating grain from MOG, and a grain cleaning system for further separating grain from residual MOG. The grain cleaning system has a main grain pan, an intermediate grain pan located beneath and rearward of the main grain pan, and at least one sieve located beneath and rearward of the intermediate grain pan. The main grain pan, the intermediate grain pan, and the at least one sieve are so arranged that the mixture of grain and residual MOG undergoes a first fall step from the main grain pan to the intermediate grain pan and a second fall step from the intermediate grain pan to the at least one sieve.

Abstract: A dedusting apparatus is provided with movable inlet deflectors that are positionally controlled by actuators to vary the rate of flow of particulate material over the wash decks. The inlet deflectors are formed with a fixed member that extends between the front and rear walls of the dedusting apparatus and extends downwardly from the top wall to terminate in a spaced relationship to the surface of the wash decks. A movable member is operatively coupled to an actuator to overlie the fixed member and be movable to be adjacent the surface of the wash deck to terminate flow of material past the deflectors. Particulate material can accumulate above the wash decks and between the deflectors to fill the volume to the inlet opening to permit a full loading of flow over the full width of the wash decks when the deflectors are raised by the actuators.

Abstract: The powder classifying device classifies powder having a particle size distribution and collects the classified powder. The device includes a disc-like cavity to which the powder is supplied and where the supplied powder is classified, a powder supply port for supplying the powder to the cavity, guide vanes arranged so as to extend from an outer periphery of the cavity in an inner direction at a predetermined angle, a discharge unit for air streams including fine particles discharged from the cavity, a collection unit for coarse particles discharged from the cavity and air nozzles arranged below the guide vanes on an outer peripheral wall of the cavity along a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall and blow compressed air into an inside of the cavity.

Abstract: A method for screening mixed particulate into multiple sized particulate simultaneously in a low dust high safety environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fine particles from an incoming stream of solid particles has a chute with openings that interface with respective inlets of a plenum. The incoming stream of solid particles enters the top of the chute. Nozzles direct gas jets into the chute transversely to the incoming stream of solid particles toward the openings. The gas jets blow the fine particles from the stream through the openings into the plenum. The remaining solid particles fall under gravity and exit the chute for further processing or disposal. The fine particles pass through the plenum under gravity and with the gas flow, exiting the plenum for disposal or further processing.

Abstract: A solids separation system and methods for use; the system having a barrel rotatably mounted in a substantially horizontal arrangement, a carriage on which the barrel is mounted and inclined so as to elevate the coal exit end of the barrel in relation to the rock exit end, a motor to rotate the barrel, a blower, a blower motor, a blade affixed to and helically wound along the interior surface of said barrel, and barriers between the turns of the blades to force the contents up into a stream of air supplied by a blower.

Abstract: A method for dividing a stream of solids includes discharging the stream of solids via a first downer. The stream of solids are fluidized at a bottom of the first downer by supplying a first conveying gas. By the first conveying gas, a part of the stream of solids are conveyed to a top of a first riser branching off from the first downer. A remaining part of the stream of solids are discharged via a second downer adjoining the first downer. The remaining stream of solids are fluidized at a bottom of the second downer by supplying a second conveying gas. By the second conveying gas, a part of the remaining part of the stream of solids are conveyed to a top of a second riser branching off from the second downer.

Abstract: A refining mechanism for separating particles based upon their density. The mixed particles are deposited near an upper edge of an air suspension vibrating table and permitted to drift to a lower edge. A trough is positioned at the lower edge; the lower edge of the air suspension vibrating table is selectively deformed allowing the denser particles to pass under the trough while the lighter particles are collected by the trough. Ideally, a control mechanism is used to control the entire operation including the amount of deformation, the amount of air pressure being delivered to the table and the amount of vibration.

Abstract: A dedusting apparatus has a product outlet offset laterally with respect to a vertical line passing through the product inlet. The dedusting apparatus has a primary wash deck structure with a flow of air passing therethrough into the flow of product. Product discharged off the lower end of the wash deck passes into a Venture zone fed by a flow of air passing through openings in the support leg for the wash deck. The offset dedusting apparatus allows installation of a dedusting apparatus onto a diagonally oriented product discharge conduit without requiring the reconfiguration of the angle of repose for the discharge conduit. The wash deck is formed with reverse slots having deflectors raised upwardly from the top surface of the wash deck to orient the slot to direct the air flow downwardly with the flow of product and to create turbulence in the product flow to facilitate cleaning.

Abstract: An open configuration is provided for the housing of a particulate material dedusting apparatus through which particulate material passes to be cleaned by air passing through wash decks to separate dirt and debris from the particulate material for discharge from the housing. The front wall and side access doors of the housing are configured to be openable for full access to the front and rear chambers. The primary wash deck is detachably mounted within the housing for removal for cleaning purposes. The generally horizontal floors of the housing are formed with a slope to allow water to drain from the housing. The open configuration of the deduster housing facilitates cleaning, draining and drying of the housing to expedite changeover from one material to another. Furthermore, the open configuration allows access for improved welding to eliminate cracks and openings in joints which accumulate dirt and debris during operation.

Abstract: A system and method sorts bulk material containing lightweight components and heavier components, by separating the lightweight components from the heavier components. The method includes the steps of a) conveying the bulk material to be sorted, and releasing it through a corresponding outlet along a given trajectory; and b) generating an airflow and projecting said airflow adjacent to the outlet so that the airflow intersects the given trajectory of the bulk material, and draws along with it the lightweight material via a Venturi effect, thereby separating the lightweight components from the heavier components. This enables namely to easily, quickly and inexpensively sort out fairly lightweight materials, from heavier materials, at a substantial high throughput.

Abstract: A compact housing for a dedusting apparatus utilizes a magnetic flux field to disrupt the static charge attracting dust particles to product particles, which along with fluidization and counter current airflow principles that are proven to dislodge dust particles from the product, provides a highly efficient, compact deduster. The housing supports a double wash deck with product flow separated between the back-to-back primary wash decks. A deflector directing the flow of product onto the primary wash decks is provided with an extension that extends parallel to the wash deck to eliminated product bouncing off of the wash deck. The lower air outlets are eliminated, while the upper air outlets are positioned in extensions to the main housing above the product inlet opening. Air flow through the Venturi zones is enhanced by directing clean air through slots formed in the lower deck members into the Venturi zones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vertical drop, multi-pass product cleaner with air flow control on the outlet side of the cleaner, wherein the air flow control includes dampers movable between open and constricted positions disposed within at least one of a plurality of air outlets of the product cleaner.

Abstract: A device and process for separating impurities from textile fibers during horizontal pneumatic transport is provided. The device includes a hollow parallelepiped separator of rectangular cross-section for the passage of transport fluids, such as air, therethrough. The passage section is subdivided into an upper part, for the cleaned fluid, and a lower part, for the separation of the impurities (i.e., foreign materials) in a hopper intercepted by an extractor having a seal. This subdivision is regulated by a deflector knife which induces an S-shaped motion of the transport fluid 4 and separates the impurities (i.e., foreign materials) by centrifugal force.

Abstract: A corn cob collection apparatus is described which may be pulled behind a combine so that the corn plant residue being discharged from the combine will be collected by the apparatus with the apparatus separating the stalks, husks, etc., from the heavier cobs. The cobs, once separated from the husks, stalks, etc., are conveyed to the wagon box provided on the wheeled frame of the apparatus. The separation of the stalks, husks, etc., from the corn cobs is achieved by passing a stream of air through the corn plant residue with the lighter stalks, husks, etc., being discharged to the ground with the cobs being collected in a wagon box on the apparatus.

Abstract: A chamber has an aperture which opens downwardly to the atmosphere and an upwardly opening air return passage. A nozzle-forming duct is inclined upwardly at approximately sixty degrees to the horizontal, and a fan mounted therein directs moving air into the chamber. An upwardly inclined ramp is positioned within the duct, and communicates between the chamber and a downwardly opening hole in the floor of the duct. A metered supply of wood chips is fed down a sixty degree incline onto the ramp through the air stream which is moving through the duct. Lightweight chips become entrained in the air and are separated from the rocks, tramp metal and knots which slide down the inclined surface and exit through a hole in the duct. The entrained wood chips, together with the air from the fan, are directed into a curved baffle spaced within the chamber. By forcing the air and chips to move in a curved path, the curved baffle uses centrifugal force to separate the chips from the air stream.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.

Abstract: An elutriator for separating different grades of leaf material and having a distribution means, an elutriation zone (100) disposed above the distribution means, and a fluid supply fan (113) for supplying a fluid to me zone through the distribution means. The distribution means comprises two distribution plates (10) which diverge in an upward direction, each distribution plate being configured to direct the fluid therethrough in a direction which has a component extending along a surface of the plate. In use, the velocity of air delivered to the elutriation zone is greater than the terminal velocity of at least one grade of the material to be separated.

Abstract: A separator device for separating out heavy materials from metal chips and lubricant, in which the separaton may be viewed by an operator while the separation process is in operation at a drop-out opening in the separator. The invention further permits heavy, undesired objects to be separated in an open chute first member whereas second stage separation is accomplished by a substantial fluid pressure sufficient to entrain chips and lubricant and transport the entrained chips and lubricant along the length of a second chute member to a centrifuge where the lubricant is separated from the chips.

Abstract: A separation device for separating threshed leaf tobacco into (1) lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem and (2) heavier particles such as lamina with attached stems or naked stems. The device includes a housing defining a separation chamber. A fan circulation system having an improved variable flow plural flow path arrangement establishes a generally upward air flow through the separation chamber. A tobacco supply inlet is disposed at an inlet side of the separation chamber for receiving a supply of threshed leaf tobacco downwardly therethrough and a threshed leaf tobacco projecting winnower is disposed below the tobacco supply inlet for projecting the supply so that (1) the lighter particles are generally carried upwardly by the air flow within the separation chamber and (2) the heavier particles move generally downwardly through the air flow.

Abstract: A resilient liner is provided on the particle supporting surface(s) of a vibratory conveyor system. The liner accounts for a live surface that counters the tendency of the particles, particularly those that are moist and sticky, from adhering to each other and the conveying surface. The liner is particularly effective in systems such as separating systems wherein the particles at various stages fall to other levels.

Abstract: Product, such as grain, is cleansed of particulate, such as dust, as it is being conveyed in the normal receiving, storage, and shipping processes. The particulate is sucked from the product by large volumes of low velocity air. The particulate is sucked from the product at a time that the product is near a port in the side of a discharge transition of the conveyor. It is sucked at the discharge transition because at that point, the grain is in motion and agitated, as well as being near the walls of the conveyor. Furthermore, the conveying of product will create a wind or movement of air which airs the sucking of the particlate from the product. The fan causing the suction is placed as near as possible to the conveyor so that the air and particulate, once removed, is moved through the particulate pipes under pressure rather than under suction. Also, all of the particulate pipes carrying the particulate and air are at an angle greater than 55.degree.

Abstract: A vibratory particle separation apparatus of the type having at least two plateau conveying surface interrupted by a drop-out opening. A composite mixture is conveyed by a vibrating action beyond the upper plateau and over a foraminous section in the upper plateau adjacent the drop-out opening. Air is directed upwardly through the foraminous section to break apart the composite mixture, and an air supply is also directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the upper plateau to further break apart the composite mixture and to propel particles of predetermined density and/or dimension to the landing area on the second level. In another aspect of the invention, the landing area is adjustable angularly with respect to the plane of the upper plateau of the conveying surface and is translatable to constrict or enlarge the dimensions of the drop-out opening. The particles passing through the drop-out opening and not intercepted by the landing area exit the system.

Abstract: A vibratory particle separation apparatus of the type having a two plateau conveying surface interrupted by a drop-out opening. A composite mixture is conveyed by a vibrating action beyond the upper plateau and over the drop-out opening. An air supply is directed angularly in relationship to the plane of the upper plateau and breaks apart the composite mixture and propels particles of a predetermined density and/or dimension to the landing area on the second level. In another aspect of the invention, the landing area is adjustable angularly with respect to the plane of the upper plateau of the conveying surface and is translatable to constrict or enlarge the dimensions of the drop-out opening. The particles passing through the drop-out opening and not intercepted by the landing area exit the system.

Abstract: A seed treating machine for the separation of seeds from lighter-weight particulant plant matter intermixed with the seeds. The seed separating machine includes a horizontally mounted table having a center opening under which a plurality of fans are mounted to provide an upward blast of air. A screen is affixed to the table over the center opening and a harvested mixture such as seeds and particulant plant matter are placed on top of the screen. The blast of air lifts the lighter particulant matter away from the heavier-weight seeds. A semicircular cover is affixed to the table covering the screen to contain the seeds. The lighter-weight material is released to the atmosphere. The table is pivotally mounted upon an upright stand, permitting the table to be tilted from side-to-side to fully expose the mixture to the air blast. The separated seeds roll down the table through a chute and into a container for packaging.

Abstract: A tobacco leaf mixture containing lighter and heavier fractions is fed into one side of a housing while an airstream flow is introduced at the other side of the housing and in an upwardly directed flow course so as to cause it to entrain the lighter fraction of the mixture therein, with the heavier fraction falling to the bottom of the housing. A suction lift is maintained at the top of the housing to increase the velocity of the lighter fraction containing air flow outwardly from the housing. The lighter fraction containing air flow is then delivered to a separator unit to recover the lighter fraction. The lighter fraction can, for example, be the laminae material from which shredded cigarette tobacco filler is made.

Abstract: A rotary feeder for simultaneous screening and discharging of material from the bottom part of a fluidized bed reactor. The rotary feeder is provided with a rotor having blades, between which pockets are formed. In the rotary feeder there is disposed an air inlet and an air outlet for accomplishing a flow of air through the pocket after it has moved over the inlet of the supply material.

Abstract: The invention comprises a sinter belt and a collector, vacuum chambers, a gas cleaning device, an air purifying device, and an exhauster mounted adjacent the belt. Above the sinter belt are mounted assemblies for loading a bed and a charge, and an ignition hearth. Downstream from the sinter belt are mounted a sinter breaker and an inclined chute wherein are mounted vibrating screens communicating with a cooler for a sinter return and for the bed, and an air classifier. The air classifier comprises a fan, a diffuser, a movable grid for varying the speed of the air produced by the fan, and a partition member forming a settling chamber together with the chute. Within the settling chamber is mounted a device for settling coarse fines, said device communicating with the collector through the air purifying device, and with the cooler for the sinter return.

Abstract: Apparatus and system for carrying out the air separation of waste wherein the waste is transported by conveyor to the input location of the housing of the apparatus, whereupon it is dropped. A fan having a selectively directed dual airstream is positioned to provide airstream interception of the material stream falling to a confrontation region. Baffling is provided to substantially eliminate turbulence as may be caused by the fan. Separation is developed at three outlets beneath a plenum of the apparatus and a deflector is positioned between that outet receiving organic and that outlet receiving plastic categorized materials. To improve separation, deflectors are mounted vertically on the housing walls to increase airstream velocity. Airstream guidance, deflection and baffling are made adjustable to tune the system to accommodate for variations in the consistency of waste.

Abstract: In a device for separating a liquid, as a cutting oil, from a mixture of metal chips and larger pieces of metal, such as bar ends and scrap, there is provided structure for preliminarily separating larger pieces of metal from the entire mass prior to the separation of the oil from the chips by a centrifuge. The structure includes a chute for feeding the mixture to be separated into the centrifuge, and a strong stream of air is caused to flow through the chute into the centrifuge. An opening is provided in the bottom of the chute intermediate its ends such that bar ends and other large pieces of metal which may be included in said mixture will drop through the opening, while air being drawn by the centrifuge into the chute through the opening will entrain the metal chips to prevent their dropping out of the opening and carry them onward through the chute into the centrifuge.

Abstract: Equipment and method for treating solid waste in which a non-oxidizing atmosphere is provided through which the shredded solid waste falls freely, unsupported and non-contacted, to prevent fusion of the plastics with each other, with other materials in the solid waste, or with the walls or components in the treating equipment. The unique atmosphere also allows a high treatment temperature to accelerate the debonding of fibrous combustible matter and fusion of the plastics into dense particles for substantially complete separation and recovery of plastics from the lighter fibrous but non-fusible combustible matter through gas classification during the free fall. This same atmosphere also produces a clean, unoxidized, homogeneous, storageable and highly combustible fuel derived from the fibrous combustible matter.

Abstract: Separation of heavy tramp metal pieces from lighter weight machine tool turnings and chips is accomplished by apparatus and method in which turnings or chips containing tramp objects are moved along a conveying path and across an elongate free-fall area or region which is generally transverse to the conveying path. A stream of gas is directed through the free-fall area to blow the chips and turnings away from the free-fall area and into a separate processing path while the tramp objects fall through the free-fall area under the influence of gravity. In order to ensure than the tramp objects are properly dumped into the elongate free-fall area and do not bridge the free-fall area in the conveying path, an abutment member is placed along the elongate free-fall area for deflecting a leading portion of an elongate tramp metal object upwardly and/or sidewardly with respect to the conveying path.

Abstract: Particles are classified according to their terminal velocities, which in turn are determined by their size, shape and composition, by dropping a mass of such particles into an air stream flowing in a direction making a substantial angle with the vertical, and having a high degree of uniformity and low turbulence, so that the particles assume trajectories determined by their terminal velocities. The distance downstream travelled by a particle is inversely proportional to its terminal velocity. Receptacles are provided at different downstream distances from the location of introduction of the material, below the flowing air stream, into which particles of different terminal velocities are collected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning textile fiber tufts by depositing such textile fiber tufts onto the upper surface of a supporting member provided with openings, directing streams of compressed air upwardly through the openings in the member and against the textile fiber tufts from delivery nozzles arranged below the supporting member for propelling the tufts upwardly to release dust therefrom and permit heavy particles to be separated from the tufts and to fall through the openings in the supporting member; drawing away the released dust by means of a suction device disposed above the supporting member, and conveying the fiber tufts along the supporting member.

Abstract: A vibratory feeder for conveying particulate material from one level to a higher level comprising an inclined, article-supporting surface, means for vibrating said surface, a plurality of baffles disposed in spaced apart relationship and spaced from the inclined surface with the baffles lying at an angle to the article-supporting surface.

Abstract: A centrifuge for sifting granular material, ranging in particle size from a few microns to several hundred microns, for example, comprises an upwardly concave frustoconical disk rotatable about a horizontal axis and provided with a similarly shaped cover defining therewith a narrow annular gap of outwardly converging radial cross-section. Air, or some other gaseous or liquid fluid, is axially introduced from above into that gap together with the granular material to be centrifuged, the fluid stream imparting to the smaller particles an added acceleration making the velocities of all particles substantially equal at the disk periphery.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for sifting particulate material in a cross current, the method and apparatus being of the type wherein all particles of the same size are propelled transversely at the same velocity of at least approximately 5 m/sec and with the same direction in a thin layer into a high velocity sifting gas current so as to preclude a determinative influence of gravity, the particles spread out into the current and after a time of flight of the order of magnitude of 1/100 second separated into two or more fractions by one or more knife edges disposed in a direction opposite to the material trajectories without previously rebounding from any wall, and the incoming sifting gas flow subdivided into at least two parts which are led off separately, improved separation characteristics are obtained by establishing an additional partial flow which is led off in a direction different from the influx direction of the sifting gas current, the partial flow having a momentum component in a direction opposite to

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating fly ash into its major constituents; namely, metal, carbon black, cenospheres and dust. The metal is separated by passing the fly ash through a magnetic field at least a part of which has an alternating polarity. The non-magnetic constituent is separated into conductive and dielectric constituents with a high tension separator and the conductive constituent, chiefly cenospheres, is then graded by size. The grading is effected by passing the non-magnetic, conductive fly ash constituent through a cross-flow of ionized air which suspends the cenospheres at different levels according to their weight and size. The apparatus and method has general utility, with obvious modifications, to the grading of particles other than cenospheres.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for opening packaged articles, particularly packs and cartons of cigarettes, in which such items are ripped open and broken apart sufficiently to allow the contents, e.g. tobacco, to be separated and recovered. The apparatus aspects of this invention involve a ripper fan, a recycling air leg, and a cyclone separator from which the materials are recovered for further processing.

Abstract: Granular materials are separated on a dry pinched sluice separator having at its discharge end a conical concave surface. The material to be separated is allowed to flow downwardly over the separator chute under gravity and fluidization and the so separated materials traverse the concave surface.

Abstract: A rotary drum air classifier system which includes a side feed hopper by which mixed materials to be separated are fed to a screw feed which deposits the materials inside the drum for major separation into light and heavy materials, the screw feed being longitudinally adjustable and including air injection means for fluidizing the mixed materials as they are being transported to the drum and thus accomplishing a preliminary stage of air classification during the time the mixed materials are transiting the length of the feed screw.

Abstract: An air classifier drum for receiving mixed materials and separating them into light and heavy materials, the heavy materials being dropped from one end of the drum during operation onto a conveyor, the drum being rotatable about an axis disposed at a selected angle to the horizontal and being vertically adjustable to the selected angle, the conveyor being vertically adjustable with the drum so that it will be constantly retained at a reasonably close-spaced relation to the drum to assure minimum impact of the heavy materials on the conveyor as they are discharged from the drum.

Abstract: A materials separating apparatus which comprises a conveyor on which materials to be separated are deposited and conveyed to a hopper mounted on an adjustable platform, a rotary drum air classifier mounted on said platform, and transport mechanism connecting the hopper with the interior of the drum whereby materials may be moved from the hopper to the drum for separation therein, the platform being movable together with the hopper and drum whereby the drum may be positioned at a selected angle of inclination, and the conveyor and hopper being interconnected in a manner whereby the conveyor remains in position for proper deposit of materials in the hopper regardless of the position of the hopper when the platform is moved.

Abstract: A solids separation system is provided, designed for pneumatic separation of pieces of scrap particularly metallic scrap, into light and heavy fractions. The mixture of pieces of scrap is fed into an enclosed separation vessel wherein they fall by gravity into a horizontally directed stream of air blown into and across the separator vessel, whereby the heaviest pieces fall through the air stream into a heavy solids hopper and the lighter materials are carried downstream by the force of the horizontal air stream into a second hopper. A gas outlet port is provided at the top of the vessel thereby imparting an upward velocity vector to the gas. The horizontal velocity of the gas being reduced by expansion, light metal pieces fall out of the influence of the gas stream into the light solids hopper.