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Sensor-based solutions for material recycling industry - Waste and Recycling - Material Recycling
Application example from material recycling: The trend in recycling is leading towards more demanding applications in the future. Problematic materials and composite materials are typically cost intensive to sort and recycle. EVK offers a multi-faceted technological approach in dealing with recycling: Hyperspectral Imaging, Conductivity Imaging and Sensor Fusion. Each cutting-edge technology offers a powerful solution for solving the complex sorting tasks that are becoming standard today.
Thanks to sensor-based sorting, reclaimed raw materials from Urban mining and recycling play an important role these days in manufacturing industries. For example, glass making, paper production and plastic manufacturing all depend (sometimes close to 100%) on recycled materials. The caveat is, that in order to maintain a defined production quality when manufacturing with recycled materials, it is imperative to correctly classify and grade them beforehand.
Problem
Colour cameras can only process information in the visible light band.
Solution
EVK´s NIR Hyperspectral Imaging Systems can accurately detect different materials according to its chemical composition. This feature allows the EVK systems to operate in fields where colour cameras reach its limits. Moreover, the combination of a Colour- and Hyperspectral Imaging camera vie Sensor Fusion is an often-used solution to increase sorting sensitivity and specificity. This allows to separate materials by means of their colour, shape, size and in addition the chemical composition.
Technology
Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging offers the degree of classification accuracy necessary for recycling, by directly measuring the chemical molecular composition through the absorption of light (spectroscopy). Other techniques such as Conductivity Imaging offer the level of quality control required for recycling of metals in manufacturing industries.
EVK’s portfolio of sensor-based sorting technology includes Colour, Hyperspectral and Conductivity Imaging systems, which can be used individually or, with Sensor- Fusion, can be combined to form a powerful sorting application that can process multiple material types.
Use of alternative fuels is rapidly growing with a trend towards pushing for better and more efficient use of this “Refuse-derived” resource. These secondary fuel sources, comprised of many different types of material commonly found in household and industrial waste, are burnt to produce heat in processes such as cement, lime and brown coal production, or for generating power in Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) power plants.
Problem
The value of RDFs is derived from the calorific content – which is determined by material type and is therefore not affected by colour or shape. A precise value can only be estimated correctly with accurate material recognition.
Solution
EVK with their HELIOS camera technology combines decades of experience in solving material recognition problems using a combination of flexibility – in user software, and adaptability – in camera hardware. EVK offers complete sensor solution concepts to be implemented, and eventually be patented, by our customers.
Technology
Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging offers the degree of classification accuracy necessary for such applications, by directly measuring the chemical molecular composition through the absorption of light (spectroscopy).
EVK’s portfolio of sensor-based sorting technology includes Colour, Hyperspectral and Inductive sensor systems, which can be used individually or, with Sensor- Fusion, can be combined to form a powerful sorting application that can process multiple material types.
Separation of pure plastic material
Problem
Colour cameras can only process information in the visible light band.
Solution
EVK´s NIR Hyperspectral Imaging Systems can accurately detect different materials according to its chemical composition. This feature allows the EVK systems to operate in fields where colour cameras reach its limits. Moreover, the combination of a Colour- and Hyperspectral Imaging camera vie Sensor Fusion is an often-used solution to increase sorting sensitivity and specificity. This allows to separate materials by means of their colour, shape, size and in addition the chemical composition.
- Use cases
- PET bottles
Colour sorting in transmission according to customer needs removal of foreign body material (i.e. Metals, diff. Plastics)
Plastic flakes and granulate material: PET, PE, PS, PA, ABS, PP, PC, PVC
Separation of PVC from refuse-derived fuels to prevent leakage of (Moisture, Net Calorific Value, Gross Calorific Value) during the combustion process.
Technology
Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging offers the degree of classification accuracy necessary for Recycling applications, by directly measuring the chemical molecular composition through the absorption of light (spectroscopy).
EVK’s portfolio of sensor-based sorting technology includes Colour, Hyperspectral and Inductive sensor systems, which can be used individually or, with Sensor- Fusion, can be combined to form a powerful sorting application that can process multiple material types.
Energy consumption at the primary production of PET is very high: 36,5 MJ/kg. In comparison the energy consumption of recyclet PET is 3,356 MJ/kg. Beside the huge amount of Energy which can be saved also the CO2 production can be reduced dramatically.
Problem
Due to different physical and chemical characteristics small amounts of PVC can have a negative impact on the product. Since the densities of both polymers can overlap a separation by a floating system is not possible. Furthermore, the PET melting temperature (250–260 °C) is way higher than from PVC (140–160 °C). Additionally, PVC can generate hazardous chlorinated compounds during the melting process. Also, a separation by a color camera is not possible since recycled plastics come in different colors.
Solution
Detection by EVK chemical Imaging systems since several characteristics in the spectrum are present that clearly distinguish PET from PVC.
Technology
Near Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging offers the degree of classification accuracy necessary for Recycling applications, by directly measuring the chemical molecular composition through the absorption of light (spectroscopy).
EVK’s portfolio of sensor-based sorting technology includes Colour, Hyperspectral and Inductive sensor systems, which can be used individually or, with Sensor- Fusion, can be combined to form a powerful sorting application that can process multiple material types.
