The recycling of aluminium and copper radiators is a cornerstone of the modern circular economy. With copper prices hovering around $9,000 per tonne and aluminium around $2,500 per tonne , the economic incentive is clear. However, achieving high-purity material separation is the key to maximizing profitability. This article delves into the professional recycling process and the essential machinery that transforms waste radiators into valuable, market-ready commodities.

Optional recycling machinery

1. Double shaft shredder

When the fully deformed radiator enters the double shaft shredder as a whole, the two sets of counter rotating blade shafts strongly shear and tear the material. The blade shaft is made of high-strength alloy steel and is specifically used for processing the composite structure of copper pipes and aluminum foil inside the radiator, tearing it into irregular blocks (about 10 to 20 centimeters long). This stage aims to destroy the original structure of the radiator, achieve preliminary separation of copper aluminum metal and attached impurities, avoid excessive crushing, and avoid affecting subsequent sorting work. The metal detector at the entrance will automatically remove residual screws and other hard contaminants to prevent the knife shaft from getting stuck.

2. Hammer Crusher

The material passing through the shredder enters the hammer crusher through the conveyor belt. The high-speed rotating hammer head (equipped with wear-resistant head) impacts and crushes the material, further reducing its size. The grading screen inside the crushing chamber allows qualified thin sheets (with a thickness less than 3 millimeters) to pass through the sieve holes, while undersized materials will be repeatedly hit by a hammer until they meet the specifications. At this stage, the separation of copper/aluminum fragments from residual insulation layer is achieved by controlling the size of the sieve and the speed of the hammer head. At the same time, the negative pressure pneumatic conveying system transports materials to the magnetic separation stage, reducing dust accumulation.

3.Radiator stripper 

When the complete waste radiator material enters the separation equipment, the same equipment can be adjusted and set to handle single-layer and double-layer copper aluminum radiators with different copper tube spacing of 19mm, 21mm, and 25mm. When using copper aluminum radiator partitions, first cut the radiator or radiator neatly (with a width of about 30-40cm), and then place the neatly cut radiator fins neatly into the inlet of the copper aluminum radiator separator to achieve automatic unloading.

4. Magnetic Separator

As the mixed material traverses the magnetic separator via conveyor belt, ferrous impurities (such as weld points and bracket fragments) are adsorbed onto the belt surface by a powerful magnetic field. These impurities automatically detach upon reaching the demagnetised zone as the belt rotates. The separator employs neodymium iron boron permanent magnets, maintaining stable magnetic induction intensity over extended periods to ensure thorough separation of minute iron particles (diameter >0.5mm). An iron collection box at the equipment base requires periodic cleaning to prevent magnetic field decay, while a manual magnetic rod facilitates secondary inspection to prevent ferrous contamination in subsequent sorting stages.

5. Air Classifier (Aluminium-Copper Preliminary Separation)

Material de-ironised enters a closed-circuit air classifier, where a variable-frequency fan generates a controllable ascending airflow. Aluminium foil fragments, being less dense, are carried by the airflow to the upper outlet, while copper particles and minor aluminium particles settle to the lower outlet due to density differences. Curved baffles within the separator optimise airflow distribution, preventing material short-circuiting or re-mixing. Dual-stage cyclone separators are fitted at the outlet: the primary stage separates coarse aluminium powder, while the secondary stage collects fine aluminium dust, enabling tiered recovery of aluminium resources. During operation, airflow must be adjusted according to material moisture to prevent reduced separation efficiency caused by electrostatic adhesion of aluminium foil.

6. Vibrating Density Separator (Copper-Aluminium Refining)

The air-separated mixed material enters the vibrating density separator, where high-frequency vibration and medium interaction achieve deep separation of copper and aluminium. When using water as the medium, copper particles rapidly settle to the bottom due to their higher density, while aluminium particles float to the surface, forming distinct layers. When employing air as the medium, adjusting the vibration frequency and airflow velocity distributes copper and aluminium to different discharge ports based on their density differences. Following sampling and testing of the final product, copper particles proceed directly to the smelting process, while aluminium powder is compressed into blocks for external sale.

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