BioPlastics sorting
BioPlastics sorting. Future 500 Bioplastics Project.
BioPlastics sorting
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Presentation Transcript
BioPlastics sorting Future 500 Bioplastics Project
Future 500Bioplastics Projectreceivedfunds from CalRecycle to construct, test and prove that an optical sorter can separate PLA bioplastics from other plastics to work toward a clean PLA stream, and guard against unacceptable PLA in the PET stream. Project Sponsors
Demonstrate the ability of optical scanners to separate PLA from PET and other plastics • Identify products made from PLA as well as other bioplasticsthat are in the sorted recyclables • Measure volume of PLA products that are separated by the sorting machinery, and the volume that remains in the sort residue • Educate MRF operators about best practices in PLA separation and recycling • Demonstrate to the materials recycling industry that state of the art technology can deliver marketable PLA and other uncontaminated bioplasticsinto the marketplace Primary Project Goals
Analysis & recognition engine 3 Sensing Head 2 Optical Sorting Technology Blow-out with air jets 4 1 InfeedConveyor R 1 5 Sorted materials can be in 2 or more separate streams 2 R 1
Diesel generator Utilities trailer Air compressor Mobile Containers Sorting Line Weigh belt feeder Optical sorter Exit conveyors
Data Summary • The Portosort™ sorts into 6 separate bins. • Light Paper Bin • Lighter Paper Bin • Shaker Bin • Up Bin (shot up by optical sorter) • Neutral Bin(drops from optical sorter) • Down Bin (shot down by optical sorter)
Mobile line processes materials from a minimum of 12 MRFs, including: • sorted PET • sorted HDPE • sorted mixed plastics • incoming materials to containers line • containers line residuals • post re-run residuals • The number of samples to be run at each facility is sufficient to gather statistically valid information of the quality of the separations by the optical sorter. • At least three samples of at least 3 cubic yards of loose material from each stream will be run at each of the selected MRFs. Methodology
PLA bottle Preliminary Results PET bottle
Preliminary Performances • PLA is positively sorted up • higher efficiency 97 to 98% • PS, PP, PVC positively sorted down • efficiency in the 95/96% range • PET or PE falling by gravity • => efficiency in the 90 to 92% range
PET Break Down • 12 4yd^3 bins surveyed • 2532 lbs of material • Separated by optical sorter into three bins: PLA/Metal, PET, and 2-7
Out of 2532 lbs of PET stream 8 PLA containers separated, about 1lb
HDPE Break Down • 12 4yd^3 bins surveyed • 2207 lbs of material • Separated by optical sorter into three bins: PLA/Metal, HDPE, and all plastics.
Out of 2207 lbs of HDPE stream No PLA and a small amount of HDPE contamination in the Plastics bin
Container Line Inbound Break Down • 12 4yd^3 bins surveyed • 5760 lbs of material • Separated by sorter into three bins: All plastics, Paper, Metal/PLA
Out of 5760 lbs of CLI stream 10 PLA containers, roughly 1 lb, some trash contamination in Plastic/Metal. Estimated 334lbs of Metal or 5.8%
Mixed Plastics Break Down • 9 4yd^3 bins surveyed • 1948 lbs of material • Separated by sorter into three bins: PET/HDPE, Metal/PLA, 3-7
Out of 1948 lbs of Mixed Plastics stream 26 PLA Containers, roughly 2-3 lbs Much of the UnID plastics were unlabeled HDPE, PP, and PVC
Residual Break Down • 10 4yd^3 bins surveyed • 8911 lbs of material • Separated by optical sorter into three bins: PLA/Metal, All Plastics, Paper
Out of 8911 lbs of Residual stream 16 PLA containers, roughly 1 lb
Re-Run Residual Break Down • 4 4yd^3 bins surveyed • 4769 lbs of material • Separated by optical sorter into three bins: All Plastics, Paper, Trash
Out of 4769 lbs of Post Residual stream 2 PLA containers, very little Plastic contamination in trash
Other Bio-Plastics Testing • Starch based: • Tapioca and Corn • PHAs and PHBs
PLA can be uniquely identified, quantities in single stream are still very limited, less than 0.1%, mainly found in PET and 3-7 stream. Incoming containers line is rich in fibers –up to 18%- At least a third of mixed plastics are in fact PET or HDPE containers Other bio-plastics could be sorted: bio films, PHB and PHBV could also be detected from petroleum based resins. Conclusion
Alain Descoins 1 925 890 8350 a.descoins@pellencst.com Mike Centers 1 925 548 3093 mccenters@earthlink.net Contact Info