Use Cases Recycling Flake Sorting: PVC in PET

Flake Sorting: PVC in PET

Energy consumption in the primary production of PET is very high: 36.5 MJ / kg. In comparison, the energy consumption of recycled PET is 3,356 MJ / kg. Besides the enormous amount of energy that can be saved, CO2 production can also be drastically reduced.

Challenge: Distinguish between PVC and PET

Due to different physical and chemical characteristics, small amounts of PVC can have a negative impact on the product. Since the densities of the two polymers can overlap, separation by a float-sink process is not possible. Furthermore, the PET melting temperature (250-260 ° C) is much higher than that of PVC (140-160 ° C). Additionally, PVC can generate hazardous chlorinated compounds during the melting process. Separation by a color camera is also not possible, since recycled plastics come in different colors.

Solution: Separation of PVC and PET with
EVK Chemical Imaging

EVK's hyperspectral imaging systems enable the classification of different materials based on their chemical composition. While conventional color cameras reach their limits, the EVK HELIOS hyperspectral systems significantly expand the possibilities of material detection and are able to reliably distinguish PET and PVC.

Technology

Hyperspectral Imaging offers the degree of classification accuracy required for applications in the recycling industry by directly measuring chemical molecular composition through the absorption of light (spectroscopy).

EVK's portfolio of sensor-based technology includes hyperspectral cameras and inductive sensor systems that can be used individually or combined with a color camera with sensor fusion to create a high-performance sorting application.

More Info at
our Technology Center

Other applications in the industry

Separating Transparent PET from Other Plastics

Alternative Fuels/ SRF/ RDF

Separating Bulk Materials from Heterogeneous Waste Streams

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