Size Separation
- Size Reduction
- Shredders, Granulators & Hammermills
- Milling & Fine Grinding
- Shears & Cutters
- Baling & Briquetting
- Agglomeration
- Pelletizing Systems
- Size Classification
- Screening Systems & Sieves
- Trommel Screens
- Filters & Membrane Diffusion
- Sorption/Desorption Cycles
Size Separation - Info Overview
Size Separation is a basic function of most recycling operations and typically serves as a precursor to further processing steps.
Size Reduction
allows for the transformation of large bulk items into more uniform pieces.
Fine particles and dusts may be compressed through an
Agglomeration
process into a uniform material handling form factor.
Sorting materials into different size
Classifications
further allows for segregation and ease of handling.
Size Reduction
Size Reduction is typically used as a pretreatment stage or as an intermediary process in order to facilitate further separation
steps.
One of the key benefits of Size Reduction is to increase the efficiency of material handling, storage and transportation.
Many traditional recovery & material extraction devices or methods require the raw waste item to be reduced in size to be handled
or to be free of foreign attachments for further separation.
Shredders, Granulators & Hammermills
Shredding large bulky items into a uniform size may be a requirement as a feedstock to flow into sortation devices
Shredding may liberate items into different components and serve as a method to remove attachments.
Size Reduction may be achieved with the use of many types of equipment or styles of Shredders, Granulators & Hammermills.
If desired, materials may be pulverized into small particles by Milling or Fine Grinding.
This is typically achieved with the use of a Ball Mill, Bar Mill or some other repetitive impact device.
Shears & Cutters
Manual shearing provides the opportunity for more precise cutting for the removal of undesirable attachments.
The action of a rotary shear has the ability to produce a uniform chip as an output.
Baling & Briquetting
Other options for bulky items that may be compressed into uniform Bales or Briquettes allow for the densification of materials
for more efficient handling, storage and transportation.
Agglomeration
Agglomeration describes a method of accumulating small particles of materials and consolidating them into a uniform
size & shape.
This typically involves a process where pressure is applied to the material
and may, or may not, use a binder or bonding agent that assists in the agglomerate holding its shape.
Pelletizing Systems
Pelletizing is a method to produce a uniform and material handleable product.
Wood Pellets are a common example of converting sawdust and wood particles into a biomass fuel product.
Pelletizing is commonly used throughout the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Size Classification
Size Classification is the method of sorting materials into different size groupings.
It does not change the size of the materials, only sorts the existing sizes into specific specifications.
One of the most common types of Size Classification is by
Screening,
another by
Filtration,
and yet another is
Membrane Diffusion.
Screens & Screening
The process of passing a material through a screen or sieve is used as a particle Size Separation Method,
segregating larger fractions of materials from smaller fractions.
The separation is determined by the mesh size of the screen, this will allow the material may pass though or restrict it from passing.
Screening is commonly referred to in terms as an over/under method of separation,
where the oversized material is captured on the top side of the screen and the material that passes through
is segregated and collected under the screen.
Multiple gradients of mesh sized fractions of materials may be segregated simply by stacking several individual screens
in a diminishing mesh size order into a flow column.
The material is typically conveyed by gravity and may be assisted by vibration.
Rotating trommel screens are a popular method of sizing bulk commodities from a continuos flow through stream of materials.
Filters
A popular method of removing solid particulates from fluids is with the use of Filters.
This method is applicable for most types of gases (air) or liquids (water & solutions).
Fluids are allowed to flow through a filtration medium which is chosen for its ability to restrict the solids from passing though.
Vacuum filtration through a sieve is a common separation process for fine particles that are suspended in liquids.
It is common for filters to be designed in a replaceable cartridge format for easy, regular maintenance and upkeep.
Large industrial filtration systems may use bulk filter medium beds that are designed to be back flushed as apposed to
replacement.
Membrane Diffusion
On a molecular scale the transport of ions though a semi-permeable membrane is an important function.
The selective conduction of nano particles is a key factor in battery and fuel cell efficiency.
Membrane filtration plays a key role in processes such as reverse osmosis, desalination and brine treatment.
Sorption/Desorption Cycles
Sorption/Desorption Cycles include the Adsorption, Absorption and Desorption of solid particles
and Fluids for the purpose of selective extraction of specific materials.
The separation or purification of particulates or fluids (both Gas & Liquid) into isolated product streams is the goal of
the Sorption/Desorption Cycles.
The development of a continuos flow through the process of inter-connected modules joined by buffering hoppers allows for a
continuum of Sorption and Desorption as a regeneration loop.
The use of real time
analytical sensors
may determine the variable speed of the process flow.
One option for the movement of materials through the process is a design of a thermally tolerant, corrosion resistant
screw feed auger system.
Control of the contact & dwell time between the specialty selected non-clumping filtration & sorbant media and the
targeted material to be separated provides an adequate reaction duration.
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a common method utilized for the separation or purification of mixed gases into isolated fluids.
A wide range of small scale up to large industrial PSA Gas Generators are in use continuously.
The Sorption/Desorption Cycles are ideally suited for the separation of a wide number of materials contained
within the process flow through the
Recovery 2.0
system.
Recycling Information
For anyone seeking current information or research data on the recycling industry,
you may access and ask your
Recycling Questions
to a core group of experienced and knowledgeable recycling industry professionals.
Learn more about the industry with Recycling 101, You also may ask your Recycling Industry questions.
