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BioPlastics sorting. Future 500 Bioplastics Project.
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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