Copper Extract

Although metal recovery technology has greatly improved throughout the last 10 years, recyclers worldwide continue to be challenged by copper contaminates in their steel scrap.

According to United States Council for Automotive Research LLC’s (USCAR’s) Vehicle Recycling Partnership LLC (VRP), approximately 12 million to 15 million end-of-life vehicles are shredded and processed each year in the United States. As more and more commingled copper and steel “meatballs” make their way into the steel scrap recovered from these vehicles, recyclers struggle to remove them economically and effectively.

OUT, COPPER

In response to increasing demand for an effective solution for this material, Innov-X Systems, Woburn, Mass., and Steinert, based in Germany, have entered into an OEM agreement to market a new high speed, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) based sorting system that is designed to effectively identify and remove copper containing material, such as “meatballs,” from ferrous scrap. The companies say they are combining Steinert’s skill in manufacturing sorting systems and Innov-X’s knowledge of X-ray florescence technology to develop the first inline XSS® F pilot machine to process steel scrap at an existing plant in the United States. This new technology should be a welcome solution for metal recyclers worldwide who have long been challenged by copper contaminants in their steel scrap product.

The new sorting system features Innov-X’ X-Stream technology—a high-speed XRF sensor unit designed to perform elemental analysis in milli-second time scales, engineered into an industrial grade system that has been the hallmark of other Steinert sorting systems. The partnership will result in an industrial grade system that sorts metals on the basis of chemical composition, identifying and extracting specific contaminants.

Under the agreement, Steinert will not only manufacture the equipment, but also will provide sales and marketing support for the new metal sorter.

“This is exciting news for the metal recycling industry,” says Don Sackett, CEO of Innov-X Systems. “Our XRF expertise combined with Steinert’s extensive experience in metal sorting, material handling and diversion (sorting) allow us to bring this much needed technology to market in a time frame that we could not achieve on our own.”

INITIAL TESTING

In early testing the X-ray analyzer operated with accuracy at 150 tons per hour, according to the companies. The unit’s sensor offers a resolution of 40 millimeters, making it suitable for particle sizes ranging from 40 to 20 millimeters, the companies say. It uses high-pressure air nozzles controlled by a computer system. Intensive work around the nozzle design and system software by Steinert engineers has made discharge of heavy, compact copper material, such as meatballs, possible, using reduced air consumption, the company says.

The technology behind the XSS F analyzes the surface of each particle by directing an X-ray beam followed by fluorescent light toward the object. Targeted objects signal air valves to open, discharging the meatball with a shot of compressed air. This type of analysis also allows sorting of stainless steel and alloys, which will further strengthen metal quality, the companies assert.

Franz Heiringhoff, CEO of Steinert Group, says, “We are excited with the opportunity to work with Innov-X. This cooperation represents an effective solution to the problem of copper in ferrous scrap and will be the answer to current and new market demands not only in metal scrap recycling, but also in areas like plastic and wood recycling in the near future.”

The XSS F sorting system is as safe as the transmission based XSS® T from Steinert, according to the company, and its design allows for integration into existing plants, either as stand-alone unit or as part of an inline operation. It is designed to be integrated into a system in the ferrous flow behind the magnetic drums.

Implementing technology like XRF into the sorting systems downstream of the auto shredded can be considered the logical next step toward the future of recycling.

This text was submitted on behalf of SteinertUS, based in Erlanger, Ky. More information is available at www.steinertus.com.