Automated sorting line for PET bottles, aluminum and iron cans
This automatic sorting line consists of more than 500 meters of conveyors (Z-shaped, straight and inclined). It is designed for a capacity of 5,000 kg/hour. The line is used to treat waste material kept in “yellow bins”, i.e. PET bottles, aluminum and iron cans.
The sorting line is monitored with a 25-camera system. All the line components are controlled by a control system with PLC outputs directly on the line and connected to the central control panel (in the process control room). The sorting line is equipped with an air-conditioned manual sorting workplace for 2 - 12 workers.
Firstly, the bales with the input material are unpacked at the line and afterwards the material passes through a trommel screen.
Separation of ferromagnetic cans is carried out by a very strong DND-AC BEAST overband magnet, which reliably separates Fe cans from other materials.
Subsequently, the material is loosened by a vibrating feeder and then the aluminum cans are separated from the PET bottles. The ECS-C eddy current separator (non-magnetic metal separator) with a 1,500 mm belt width is used for this purpose. We chose a separator of this width so that it is able to deal with the required hourly capacity.
Finally, the PET bottles are sorted by color using NIR spectrophotometers and then pressed into bales.
- The separation line capacity: 5 tons/hour
- Guaranteed separation efficiency: 95 %
Output
The treated waste is sorted into the following material fractions:
- 3D PET bottles
- Aluminum cans
- Iron cans
The sorting line consists of the following equipment:
- Transport system - 33 different conveyors (Z-shaped, angular, straight, inclined) with a total length of more than 500 m
- Bale unwrapper
- DND-AC Mx3 F BEAST overband magnet
- Vibrating feeder
- Non-ferrous metal separator - ECS-C 1500 RAM eddy current separator with an eccentric rare earth rotor – for conveyor belts of 1,500 mm width
- NIR spectrophotometer
- Trommel screen
- Automatic baler
- Accumulation storage boxes
- Pressing containers
- Air-conditioned final sorting workplace for 2 - 12 manual workers
- Steel construction
- Complex control system with PLC outputs directly on the line and connection to the control center
- 25-camera control system
This line is designed for sorting waste from yellow bins — material where the main components are PET bottles, aluminium and steel cans. A municipal waste line is chosen where the input mix also includes organics, paper and light fraction; lines focused exclusively on plastic waste are recommended when cans are not present in the material or have been eliminated in earlier process steps.
The line is designed for a capacity of 5 tonnes of material per hour. The guaranteed separation efficiency is 95 %.
Separation takes place in three successive steps: ferromagnetic steel cans are removed by the DND-AC Mx3 F BEAST self-cleaning magnetic plate suspended above the conveyor. Aluminium cans are then separated from PET bottles by the ECS–C 1500 RAM non-ferrous metal magnetic separator with a centrically mounted rotor for a belt width of 1,500 mm; finally, PET bottles are sorted by colour using a NIR spectrophotometer.
The NIR spectrophotometer identifies the material composition and colour of each PET bottle and sorts them into the corresponding fractions; the output material is then baled by an automatic baling press. The line output thus consists of three clean commodities — 3D PET bottles, aluminium cans and steel cans — ready for direct sale as secondary raw materials.
The air-conditioned manual sorting station is dimensioned for 2 to 12 workers and provides final inspection and cleaning of the output fractions. It serves as a safety net for material that could not be sorted automatically, thereby contributing to the maximum purity of the output commodities.
The line is monitored by a camera system with 25 cameras and all components are controlled by a control system with PLC outputs directly on the line, connected to a central control desk — the control room. This system enables remote supervision of operations and rapid diagnostics of any problems.
Every sorting line is designed and manufactured to order according to the specific type of material, its fraction and the required capacity. We also supply lines for sorting municipal waste, plastic waste, waste glass and other commodities — the equipment configuration is always tailored to the specific application.
The delivery covers the entire process from site survey, design and custom manufacture through installation, commissioning and operator training to authorised service for the entire service life of the equipment. We provide a warranty of up to 10 years on magnetic components; prior to ordering we offer free testing of your material with a guaranteed turnaround of three days.