A magnetic separation apparatus for separating metallic material from a
granulated stream of mixed metallic and nonmetallic material comprises a
vibratory conveyor having a trough assembly mounted on a suspension
system and coupled to a motor for causing the suspension system to
vibrate. The trough assembly includes an upper trough having at least two
sections aligned in a predetermined direction of material flow and a
lower trough extending in the same direction as and beneath the upper.
The upper trough includes one or more gaps of a predetermined width so as
to permit material to fall onto the lower trough. Each trough is arranged
so as to feed a different output collection point. At least one of the
gaps between a downstream section of the upper trough and an upstream
section of the upper trough includes the downstream section positioned at
a height lower than the upstream section thereby forming a vertical drop
between the two sections with the gap positioned therebetween. For each
gap, an adjustable gate may be used for adjusting the width of the gap. A
magnetic separator may be arranged above the gap in the upper trough so
as to pick up free metal. Rubber granules fall through the gap and are
deposited in a receptacle, while metal is deposited on the upper trough
which feeds a separate receptacle. A declumping zone comprising at least
one perforated deck may be situated in-line with the upper and lower
troughs.