Instrumentation and Control

Software for recycling operations

The transition to a circular economy is providing exceptional opportunities for the recycling industry that play a leading role in the transformation of waste resources into a quality secondary resource that is a replacement for primary resources.

Modern recycling operations can be automated to the same high level as modern industrial factories.

Recycling software provides the opportunity to automate all recycling processes, eliminate paper, and makes collaboration and sharing of data possible.

Analyzers for recycling applications

Recyclers need fast and accurate materials analysis and identification. Being able to separate wanted from unwanted recyclable material has always been the goal in recycling operations.

A key area of instrumentation for recycling industries is scrap analyzers used for accurate on-site processing.

Load volume scanning (LVS) technology

Load volume scanning (LVS) technology utilizes laser technology combined with software to measure the exact volume of the recyclable material loaded in a truck or trailer bin.

Thermal analysis for quality control of recycled plastics

To assure the quality of recycled plastics as well as to detect and identify potential impurities, effective and continuous analysis of the recycled material is imperative.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a technique used to investigate the response of polymers to heating.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measures the rate and the amount of weight change as a function of temperature or time in a controlled atmosphere.

Both Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) can effectively identify polymer impurities in recycled materials with ease.

Elemental analysis in metal recycling

Being able to separate wanted from unwanted material has always been the goal in scrap metal recycling. When the exact chemical composition of scrap metal is uncertain, safety, quality, and regulatory compliance are at risk.

To help ensure product integrity, scrap metal operations rely on analyzers for reliable and accurate material identification.

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive technique that is applied to determine the composition of materials. For recyclers that sort metals and alloys in applications where precise understanding of content and composition is important, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzers are the main tools for material verification purposes.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technology

LIBS technology is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. Handheld LIBS analyzers work by using a high-focused laser to ablate the surface of a sample.

Radiation detection systems

When radioactive materials are found in areas such as waste handling, scrap metal recycling, or incinerators, the concern becomes that undetected radioactive material in considerable amounts may cause unnecessary risk to members of the facility workers, the public, and the environment.

If these radioactive substances enter the metal recycling or waste-processing stream, they can contaminate equipment, products, and the environment. Radiation detection systems are used to detect the presence of radioactive substances in loads of recyclable materials to a facility.

This Technology Zone offers an insight into the latest innovations in Instrumentation and Control for recycling applications.