Evaluating a Complete Copper Chip Recycling Solution for a New Manufacturing Facility
ENERPAT visited a leading U.S. plumbing products manufacturer at its Chicago-area facility on October 2, 2026, for an on-site technical consultation focused on copper chip recycling, oil removal, thermal drying, and briquetting.
The manufacturer is preparing a new production facility and evaluating an integrated system to process copper chips generated during the machining of plumbing valves and fittings. The objective is to remove residual oil, dry the material, and compress the recovered copper into dense briquettes for remelting.
During the visit, ENERPAT introduced a proposed Metal Chips Recycling System, reviewed the customer's existing chip-processing equipment, and discussed the requirements for a new production line. The next stage will involve material testing and equipment selection based on actual processing results.
Customer Requirements: Oil Removal, Drying and Copper Briquetting
The manufacturer produces copper tubing, valves, and related plumbing components. Its machining operations generate approximately 3.5 million pounds of copper chips annually, creating a substantial opportunity to improve scrap recovery and material handling.
The customer identified two main processing requirements:
Copper chips requiring oil removal and drying: Approximately 1.5 million pounds per year need further processing before briquetting and remelting.
Copper chips already dried: Approximately 2 million pounds per year are dried at another foundry using a natural-gas-fired dryer. This material can proceed directly to briquetting.
For the new facility, the customer is considering an integrated solution that combines centrifugal de-oiling, natural-gas-fired thermal drying, and hydraulic briquetting.
The finished copper briquettes are intended for direct transfer to a melting furnace. The customer is targeting near-complete removal of residual oil and moisture, together with a finished briquette weight of approximately 30 pounds.
Final performance requirements will need to be verified through material testing and process evaluation.
During the plant tour, the customer showed ENERPAT its existing copper chip de-oiling equipment and explained the challenges associated with continuous operation.
The Chicago facility currently operates three centrifuges around the clock. Together, the machines process approximately 2 million pounds of copper chips annually, with reported residual liquid content of around 2%.
However, sustained operation places considerable demands on the equipment. The customer reported that its existing centrifuges typically need replacement every two years.
This creates an additional opportunity beyond the new-facility project: evaluating a more durable Metal Chip Wringer Centrifuge for the existing operation.
ENERPAT will assess suitable equipment options with a focus on:
Reliable operation under extended production schedules.
Effective separation of residual oil and machining fluids from copper chips.
Processing performance with the customer's actual chip size and material characteristics.
Maintenance requirements and expected service life.
Compatibility with the downstream drying and briquetting stages.
Rather than recommending a replacement based on nominal capacity alone, ENERPAT will need to consider material behavior, operating conditions, and the customer's required residual-liquid level.
ENERPAT's Proposed Metal Chips Recycling System
Following the initial meeting, ENERPAT presented its integrated copper chip processing concept. The customer showed interest in the proposed approach, particularly the use of natural gas for thermal drying and the target weight of the finished briquettes.
The preliminary process configuration includes five main stages.
1. Centralized Feed Hopper
A 3 m³ centralized feed hopper is proposed to provide a buffer for incoming copper chips and support a more consistent supply to the de-oiling stage.
2. Metal Chip Wringer Centrifuge
The preliminary selection is a centrifuge with a target processing capacity of approximately 400 kg/h for short copper chips.
The equipment would use centrifugal force to separate residual oil and liquid from the chips before thermal drying. Actual throughput and separation performance will depend on the material's size, shape, liquid content, and feeding conditions.
3. Natural-Gas-Fired Dryer
A natural-gas-fired thermal dryer is proposed to reduce residual moisture after centrifugal de-oiling. A dust collection system will also be included in the equipment assessment.
The final dryer configuration will depend on the required outlet condition, available installation space, operating schedule, and the customer's utility requirements.
4. Secondary Centralized Feed Hopper
A second 3 m³ feed hopper is proposed between drying and briquetting. This arrangement would help buffer the material flow and coordinate the operating rates of the upstream and downstream equipment.
5. Copper Briquette Machine
The preliminary briquetting equipment has a target processing capacity of approximately 900 kg/h for short copper chips.
The hydraulic press would compress the processed copper chips into dense briquettes for handling, storage, and remelting. The customer's target finished briquette weight is approximately 30 pounds, subject to confirmation during testing and equipment configuration.
The final equipment selection and system layout will be confirmed after ENERPAT evaluates the customer's material samples and verifies the required operating conditions.
On-Site Technical Consultation and Material Assessment
The visit included both a technical discussion and an inspection of the customer's production area.
ENERPAT first introduced the proposed de-oiling, drying, and briquetting process in a meeting-room presentation. The discussion covered the use of natural gas as the dryer heat source, the target briquette weight, and the need to achieve the required residual-oil and moisture levels before remelting.
The customer then guided the ENERPAT team through the production workshop, allowing the team to observe the existing centrifuges, the copper chip handling process, and the current operating conditions.
This assessment provided a basis for refining the proposed solution around the customer's actual production requirements rather than relying solely on general equipment specifications.
Next Steps: Material Testing and Equipment Selection
Following the consultation, ENERPAT and the customer identified several actions to move the project forward.
1. Provide equipment demonstration videos
ENERPAT will email the equipment operation videos discussed during the meeting to help the customer review the proposed process.
2. Arrange copper chip sample testing
ENERPAT will provide its warehouse address so the customer can arrange shipment of representative copper chip samples. The samples will be evaluated under relevant processing conditions.
3. Verify de-oiling and briquetting performance
The test will assess the suitability of the proposed centrifuge and briquetting equipment. ENERPAT will also review whether a more durable centrifuge option is appropriate for the customer's existing production line.
4. Record the test and return sample briquettes
The equipment trial will be documented on video. The resulting copper briquettes will be shipped to the customer for inspection and further evaluation.
5. Submit the detailed technical proposal
Based on the test results, ENERPAT will refine the equipment selection, confirm the processing parameters, and prepare a detailed proposal for the customer's review.
Supporting Copper Recycling Operations from Testing to Installation
Copper chip recycling requires more than selecting a centrifuge or press by rated capacity. Residual liquid content, chip geometry, drying requirements, briquette quality, and downstream melting conditions all influence the final process design.
ENERPAT's approach is to assess these factors together when developing a Metal Briquetting Press Machine solution for copper manufacturing operations.
For manufacturers planning a new facility or upgrading an existing chip-processing line, a properly configured system can help improve scrap handling, recover valuable copper, and prepare metal chips for remelting.
ENERPAT will continue working with the customer through material testing and technical evaluation to determine the most suitable configuration for the proposed copper chip recycling project.
Planning a copper chip recycling line?
Contact ENERPAT to discuss your material, required processing capacity, oil removal and drying targets, and briquette specifications. Material testing can help establish realistic performance expectations before final equipment selection.
Enerpat is a global company specializing in waste-recycling and disposal solutions, with a mission to help customers build a better, more sustainable world. We are a leading global provider for municipal and industrial clients, helping them recycle and dispose of waste, reduce costs and consumption, and create more value.
We focus on sorters, shredders, balers, shears, and disposal equipment for a wide range of recycling needs. Enerpat believes that “Quality Transform The World.” We deliver the industry’s highest levels of quality and service. Choosing Enerpat means choosing trust and value.
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