Columbus Paper - Reclamation of Metal from Brass-foundry Refuse (with Discussion)

The reclaiming of nietallics from slag and sweepings is of vital interest to every brass-foundry man, but the first cost and interest on the investment often make it prohibitive for the small foundry to enjoy the benefits of a complete concentrating unit. However, the cost of such an installation and the cost of operation are often exaggerated to such an extent that foundries dispose of their copper-bearing refuse at a great loss. This paper gives the actual costs and the returns obtained in the reclaiming plant used at the Ohio Brass Co. This plant is divided into two sections—the preliminary treatment and concentrating departments. In the former occur the screening, crushing, and hand-picking operations whereby rnost of the non-valuable and heavy metallic constituents are removed. The concentrating equipment consists of an elevator, bins, jigs, ball-mill, arid table. Preliminary Treatment The preliminary treatment varies, depending on whether the material is slag, foundry-floor sweepings, or brass casting-floor sweepings. Material of the first class is produced from the operation of six Steele-Harvey and six Schwartz furnaces; the second class represents sweepings from an average of thirty-five. molding floors per day: and the last is collected around the sprue cutters and knockout bench. Treatment of Slag The slag, analyzing 30 to 40 per cent. copper, is passed over a 3-mesh yard screen (Tyler standard mesh) stretched on an inclined rectangular frame supported by adjustable legs and equipped with a hopper which directs the undersize into a barrow. The fine product, running about 20 per cent. copper and representing 20 to 25 per cent. of the total slag, goes direct to a storage bin for concentrator frrd. The oversize is charged into a No. 2 Hill cinder crusher, which takes 175 to 200 11,. to a charge and crushes two charges per hour through 'a No. 4 riddle. It