Superior sorting technologies create win-win scenario

November 22, 2016

IGUALADA - Automated spectroscopy is driving recycling and scrap sorting, helping to achieve historically-advanced levels of material recovery and reuse. Incorporation of X-ray fluorescence, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and Terahertz imaging into modern sensor-sorter scrap processing lines is seen as key to closing the materials loop to the benefit of all parties involved.

Real-time sorting and separation of scrap and waste materials have made a huge step forward. Today, it is possible to identify accurately and at high speed the discrete chemical characteristics of a material. This means that components of the waste stream can either be further reduced to the best possible specific reuse purity or effectively sorted to the point of turning typically landfilled or burned waste into reusable feedstock material. On the metal recycling part, this is possible with XRF and LIBS technology. On the plastics/polymer side this is possible with Terahertz imaging technology. The benefit to the supplier is the higher
prices paid for more finely sorted scrap while the advantage to the user is easier processing of the incoming scrap. And the benefit to the world at large is a reduction in landfilling and smaller carbon footprints for the producers using this material.

State-of-the-art sorting

The metal recycling business is heavily affected by transboundary regulations and economic conditions in the global scrap market. Recyclers are required to achieve ever-higher recycling rates while producing increasingly
specific material for their buyers. Sense2Sort X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sorting technologies represent massive strides forward in real-time scrap material identification and mark the start of a new era for scrap. Sense2Sort has introduced XRF- and LIBS-based machine technologies that fully solve bulk sorting by identification of elemental properties of material pieces measuring from 3 mm in size.

Closing the loop in secondary aluminum recycling

This means that all metals and alloys can be determined to the highest qualities and sorting can be set according to a customer’s specific requirements. For their part, secondary aluminium smelters are opting to buy lower-cost scrap and process it into melt-ready packages. This ‘greener’ process approach not only makes their raw material supply more predictable but also increases the margin on their final product. Construction material, beverage containers and, most recently, the explosive growth in aluminium usage in vehicle manufacturing are the driving forces behind this approach.

Continuous innovations

For more than 25 years, Sense2Sort alliance partners Toratecnica, S.L. (Europe) and Austin AI, Inc. (USA) have built and serviced s ensor-based sorting machinery for recycling applications all over the world. Their classic product offering is based on common sorting technologies such as CCD, NIR, Induction, Colour, XRT and combinations thereof. Starting with XRF, the world’s first commercial online metal sorting system was delivered back in 2001, since when installations have followed in Asia, North America and Europe. Whole turnkey plants can be supplied and plants engineered. Sense2Sort has been a continuous innovator and its aim is the perfect closing of the recycling loop using latest material identification methods. Using their deep know-how and experience, Sense2Sort’s experts consult on new and existing concepts for plant improvement and sorting perfection, achieving the highest process profitability for their customers.

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Sense2Sort – Toratecnica

Sorting technologies have developed considerably in the last 15 years. Today, they are accepted as standard equipment for the processing of primary and secondary bulk materials. In many cases, this has also led to the development of highly technological and complicated machinery. And in many cases, new sorting devices are added to the traditional ...