Enrichment and separation behaviors of impurities from stripped copper wire with super-gravity fields

Supergravity technology is an efficient method to remove trace impurities and recycle valuable components from secondary sources. This study investigated the enrichment and separation behaviors of impurities from simulated Cu alloys that based on the typical impurity compositions (such as Pb, Fe, Sn, Al, and inclusions) of waste stripped copper wire using supergravity technology. After supergravity enrichment, nonmetallic inclusions and Fe impurity were concentrated in the top of the sample, and the enrichment degree positively correlated with the gravity coefficient. The low-melting-point impurities in Cu alloys were separated by supergravity. Improving the gravity coefficient and temperature benefited the removal of Pb and Sn but had negative influence on the re-covery of Cu. Ultimately, the removal rates of Fe, Sn, and Pb were 79.1%, 39.8%, and 74.4%, respectively, and the recovery of Cu was 91.2% under the optimal conditions. Based on these results, supergravity technology is feasible for purification of Cu alloy and achieves good application. It has provided theoretical foundation for recycling of high purity copper and also pointed out a green and efficient way for recycling waste stripped copper wire that can improve resource utilization and prevent environmental damage.