Grate Magnets

What is a grate, a grater or a grating?

I am not a native speaker and I presume that a lot of visitors of this blog aren't native speakers either. A grating is defined in the dictionary as a framework of bars, used as a partition, guard or cover. The bars are identical, parallel and elongated. Its function is to let fine matter or fluids through the grating, while blocking the larger particles. You'll find grates alongside the curb, where it is used as drainage. It can also used as a bridge deck, where the grates let water and dirt through, while people can walk over it. A grating magnet in the recycling industry is used in the same way, in the sense that it lets through one thing, while filtering the other.

What is a grate magnet in a recycling plant?

A grate magnet is a magnetic separator, which is placed within a plant line, in order to filter ferromagnetic particles that move past it. The grate magnet is easily installed in gravity-fed vertical ducts, intake openings, hopper magnets and in horizontal, pneumatically driven pipes. Due to its flexible nature, it comes in many sizes and shapes. I've got in touch with my creative side again to show you a Windows Paint drawing. The image shows you how easily the grate magnet can be integrated in any line you have. This example shows you a simple grate in a rectangular duct that is fed from the top (= gravity system). It takes up only little space, which makes it a very useful supplement.

Magnetic recycling magnet that is used to sieve the (e.g.) iron from a gravity system.

Where is the grating magnet best applicable?

It is best used when dealing with free flowing material in relatively low volumes. You have to keep in mind that the grate reduces the space in the duct by ca. 50 %. Because the magnetic bars take up some room, your waste stream can get clogged if it's too lumpy. Another downside - besides clogging up your machine - is the lower putthrough rate due to the grates. When 50 percent less space is available, it is obvious that it slows down the product flow.

Taken these downsides into consideration, the magnetic grating separator can be implemented nearly anywhere. It can be customized for round and rectangular duct-pipes, which are also available in many sizes.

To improve efficiency, it is also possible to invest in an optional self-cleaning mechanism, multiple grates or grating magnets in a size and shape that suits your processing material.