01
Prepare the material
Screen the feed for a consistent size and remove ferrous metals and non-metallic material upstream.
FLUIDISED BED SEPARATOR
A fluidised bed.
A difference in density.
SandFlo uses an aerated sand bed to separate prepared non-ferrous metals according to density. Here is how that principle becomes part of a working recycling process.
THE SEPARATION PRINCIPLE
Let lighter and heavier
take different paths.
A vibrating annular trough circulates sand and prepared metal particles. Air introduced through part of the trough creates a fluidised region: the sand behaves like a fluid through which materials settle differently.
Lighter material stays nearer the surface and denser material sinks deeper. Perforated collection flights remove the separated metals while allowing the sand to return to the process.
The distinction is density. SandFlo does not identify every alloy or strip bonded coatings from a particle.
FOLLOW THE MATERIAL
Three stages.
One connected process.
What happens before and after the separator helps determine the value of its output.
02
Let density decide
Air fluidises the circulating sand. Lighter metals stay higher; denser metals sink deeper.
03
Recover the fractions
Separate flights collect the lighter and heavier metals while sand recirculates.
FROM PRINCIPLE TO PERFORMANCE
The feed is part
of the specification.
A separation principle explains how the machine works. A trial explains how your material behaves. Establish the range of conditions the system needs to handle before selecting a configuration.
Particle size and distribution
A sample dominated by one size may not represent a feed containing a broad mixture. Share the size distribution, screening method and likely variation so the test can address the material actually reaching the separator.
Composition and contamination
Describe what is in the feed, including material you do not want. Bonded components, coatings and residual contamination can change the task. Clarify which upstream steps are responsible for preparing it.
Feed rate and presentation
Consider the way material arrives, not only the average tonnes per hour. Discuss batch delivery, surges and the feeding equipment alongside the separator itself.
Explore application planning ↗
THE SANDFLO SYSTEM
Details to build
your discussion around.
- Principle
- Dry density separation
- Medium
- Recirculating fluidised sand
- Published throughput
- 2–2.5 tonnes per hour¹
- Operation
- Single operator
¹ BlakerTech’s published figure, not a guaranteed output. Capacity and separation depend on feed and configuration; confirm through a trial.
For a purchase specification, ask BlakerTech to confirm the arrangement, dimensions, utilities, access requirements and agreed scope in writing.
ASSESS THE WHOLE OUTPUT
Recovery and purity
answer different questions.
Recovery asks how much of the target material reaches the desired output. Purity asks how much of that output is the material you want. Neither number tells the whole story alone.
Discuss both with the team. Examine the recovered product and what remains in the other fractions, then relate the findings to your downstream process.
Trial observations apply to the material and settings used in that trial. Use them to define the next engineering step, rather than assuming a single result describes every future feed.
Plan a material trialTECHNOLOGY QUESTIONS
Get into
the detail.
Does SandFlo use water?
No. It is a dry separation process using an aerated bed of sand.
Can it remove bonded plastic or coatings?
No. SandFlo separates by density; it does not remove bonded materials.
What feed should I discuss with the team?
Describe the metal mix, size range, moisture, contaminants and desired output. This helps the team plan a useful trial.
How do I assess suitability?
Start with your material. Ask BlakerTech about a sample test before deciding on a system.