1st Secondary 2nd Term

Techniques of Material Separation

In this lesson, we explore techniques for separating mixed materials like iron, plastic, and glass
for recycling. Magnetic separation uses magnets to extract iron and other ferrous metals, while
electrostatic separation applies electrical charges to divide materials based on conductivity, such
as isolating plastics from non-metals. These methods enable efficient material recovery, reducing
waste and supporting sustainable reuse. Let's start this journey into the world of technologies that
contribute to the preservation of our earth planet..

Magnetic Separation

Magnetic Separation
It is a technique used to separate magnetic materials, such as iron, steel, or other ferrous
metals, from non-magnetic waste (like plastic, glass, or paper).

How does magnetic separation technique work..?!

- The idea of magnetic separation is based on using of a

powerful electromagnet that passes over metal residues
in factories.
- When a large electric current passes over a coil it turns
into a temporary magnet that attracts the magnetic
materials around it and separates them from other
materials.
- This method is considered one of the most effective
ways of separating metals

- The opposite figure shows the structure of the electromagnet that is consists of a copper
coil with a large number of windings wrapped around a wrought iron bar.
- When the two ends of the coil are connected to an electric current, and the current begins
to pass through the coil, it generates a magnetic flux inside the coil that converts the iron
bar into a magnet.
- The strength of magnet depends on the number of turns of
the coil, the intensity of the electric current and the type of bar
material.

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 Applications of Magnetic Separation and its Role in Energy Recycling

A. Recycling

- The magnetic separator is able to separate metals from residues and waste based on their
magnetic ability.
- This way doesn't only promote the sustainable use of resources but also minimizes the
impact of waste and residues on the environment, making it an indispensable tool in global
recycling.

B. Environmental cleanup and treatment

- It helps in eliminating magnetic pollutants from water and soil, and contributes to
restoring the ecological balance

C. Food and pharmaceutical processing

- It is used to support purity and safety standards in food & pharmaceuticals.

- It ensures accurate separation of materials to meet quality and safety standards.

D. Mining and mineral processing industry

- It plays an important role in extracting valuable minerals from ore deposits.

- The magnetic separator separates valuable minerals from rocks and sediments.
- Then it simplifies the extraction process and increasing products.

E. Chemical and petrochemical industry

- It contributes significantly to the production process, purifying raw materials and removing
impurities, to meet quality standards of the industry

F. Electronic industries

- It plays a crucial role in the recovery of precious metals such as copper and gold.
- This contributes to minimizing the pollution caused by the unsafe disposal of old electronics
and reduces the need to extract more of these metals from nature.

G. Automotive industry

- Magnetic separation is used to separate iron and steel parts from the rest of the components
of old cars.
- This makes it easier to recycle them & turn them into new raw materials for making new cars.

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 Electrostatic Separation

Electrostatic Separation
- Static electricity (Electrostatic) is a physical phenomenon that occurs as a result of an
imbalance of electrical charges within a material or on its surface.

- In other words, when a substance loses electrons (negatively charged particles), it

becomes positively charged with a positive charge, and vice versa.
This charge remains static and does not move unless an electrical discharge occurs.

How does static electricity is generated..?

- Static electricity is generated as a result of several factors, including:

1. Friction

- When two objects rub against each other, electrons are transferred from one object to the
other, causing them to charge each other with an opposite charge.
- For example, when you rub a balloon against your hair, electrons
are transferred from your hair to the balloon, that makes the balloon
charged with a negative charge and your hair with a positive charge.

2. Contact (Conduction)

- When a charged object touches a neutral object, some electrons are transferred from the
charged object to the neutral object, causing the neutral object to be charged.

3. Induction

- When a charged object approaches a conducting object, the charges in the conducting
object are distributed so that charges opposite to the nearby charge are concentrated on the
nearest surface.

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1st Secondary 2nd Term

Examples of Static Electricity in Our Daily Lives

- A small electric shock when touching a metal doorknob in winter:

This is caused by the accumulation of electrical charges in the body as a result of friction
with woolen clothing.
- Attracting hair to a plastic comb after combing it:
This is caused by the transfer of electrons from the hair to the comb, causing them to
charge each other with an opposite charge.
- The balloon sticks to the walls after being rubbed with hair:
This occurs due to the electrostatic force that attracts the negatively charged balloon
attracts the negatively charged balloon to the positively charged wall.

Mechanisms of Charging

Friction Conduction Induction

Charging by rubbing Charging of neutral Charging of neutral objects
different materials objects by contact with an without contact of other
against each other. already-charged object. charged objects.

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1st Secondary 2nd Term

How does Electristatic separation technique work..?!

- The idea of electrostatic separation is based on

exposing a mixture of particles, such as plastic particles
are exposed to an electric field.
- That causes these particles to acquire positive or
negative charges depending on the properties of each
material.
- Then a positively and negatively charged rod is dipped
into the mixture of charged particles, that leads to
repulsion of particles from the rod with the same charge
and the attraction of other particles to the rod that
carries the opposite charge.
- Thus, separating the mixture of particles on the two rods.

• The electrostatic separation method is characterized by a high ability to separate

large mixtures of substances that are similar in shape, size and color but different in
electrical properties so that they can acquire opposite charges to each other.
• One of the disadvantages is that it requires a high degree of control of the electric
current passing through the mixture and control of surrounding conditions, as any
change in humidity, temperature or voltage will affect the separation process.

Examples of materials that can be separated using electrostaticity

Plastic & Metal

- Plastics (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) can be separated from metals (such as

aluminum or copper) based on the different charges that each type of material acquires in
the electric field.

Plastic & Glass

- Plastics (such as PVC) can be separated from glass based on their opposite charges when
exposed to an electric field.

Wheat and metal impurities

- In agriculture, electrostatic separation can be used to separate grains such as wheat from
metallic impurities or other contaminants.