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Since everyone's on a copper kick I ask the forum a question: is copper worth more whole, granulated or as a powder. I ask as a powder because I had this idea kicking around in my mind once to build a machine to chip wire into a powder, but it wouldn't make sense to build or even consider such an idea if it wasn't worth it.
-Matt
Got to have a separation/cleaning process to go along with the chipping.
Read up on water tables. Mike
I would think the powdered form would be worth more if sold to the right people. Metal caster, sculptors, manufacturers, refiners are a few that come to mind. The powdered form would be easier to store as well. Because of the density of copper a 5 gallon bucket could probably hold well over 50# of copper powder.
This is something I have to find out.
Basicly its to do with what happens to the Copper once we have sold it.
I got the impression that the Copper mines process the Copper getting out most of the impuritys.
Now, some of those impuritys are Gold and Silver.....
So the procees went like this. Copper mined earth, processed into Copper and then melted into Copper tube etc.
Used as pipes etc, recycled as Copper domestic.
Copper domestic, shredded, electroplated into high quality Copper and Gold,Lead,Silver reclaimed from slimes.
High quality Copper, remelted and processed into Copper electrical wire.
Copper electrical wire, shredded, electroplated into extra high quality Copper wire. For high voltage power cables, like you see on pylons. Etc.
Is this about right?
two issues. Diminishing returns and volume. The more you handle it the more you need to sell it for. The most pure copper will sell for is market value (~$3.10 as of today). So what can you do to the copper to get it closest to that value while handling it the least... Strip it, chip it, melt it... Keep in mind the more surface area the more oxidation can occur. Your bucket of copper power could get ruined pretty quick under the wrong conditions. But a copper bar can be easily cleaned and used. Also volume, a bale of wire vs. a few buckets of powder. Figure how that affects your profit as well. Just my thoughts...
Eesa,
Just a detail: In North America, at least, pretty well all overhead high voltage wiring (>1,000V) is aluminum. It is used because it is lighter, for the long spans, and the higher resistance of Al doesn't count as much with the high voltages used.
You have a good point, though, about copper refiners pulling the PM's out of the copper as they refine it. Probably adds up faster than we might think.
Jon.
You ask if it's worth it...who are you selling to? How is the market where you will be selling? Can you sell the powdered form? Sounds like a special market.
I forget who exactly but check out Xmas light recycling thread or videos. There was a video posted and basically the lights and wire etc was shredded and spread out on a water table that vibrated. It's a pretty simple process that once perfected seems profitable.
Ummm, check it out. I'm not going to search around for it or post a link cuz I've already viewed it. It's out there, somewhere.
I hate computers, but I love breakin em!
I didn't think anyone recycled those, but if it's tangiable it's recycleable I suppose. I'll have to give youtube a shake.Quote:
Originally Posted by thekeith
Yes as a general item. I mean, after posting my post I was linked to some posts on ebay that were selling quarts of copper powder for between $40-50, but that's not saying any were ever sold. My questioning was also aimed at wither the copper would diminish if grinded up into a powder. The grinder I was going to build would have had a cover on it to control dust eliminating a water table.Quote:
Originally Posted by kbob