Norwegian-based TOMRA Sorting Recycling, a developer of sensor-based sorting systems, will feature innovative metals sorting technology at ISRI2021, ISRI’s virtual convention. The company will hold its demonstration Metals Sorting Without Compromise on the first day of ISRI2021, Tuesday, April 20, from 2:45 – 3:05 p.m. EDT.
“We are excited to be a lead sponsor and take part in ISRI2021,” says Eric Thurston, TOMRA’s North America sales manager, Metals. “We look forward to connecting with new and existing customers and partners to update them on the latest and long-established developments, news, and technological innovations TOMRA has to offer for high-purity metal sorting.”
As the booth—and the entire ISRI2021 convention—takes to a virtual platform, attendees can look forward to great things from TOMRA’s exhibit. Using video, product displays, customer testimonials, and TOMRA team member interactions, the exhibit will guide recyclers through technologies that benefit end-of-life vehicles (ELV), e-scrap, aluminum smelter, and waste-to-energy recovery facilities.
TOMRA designed and developed the exhibit so ISRI attendees could learn about all the company has to offer, Thurston says. “Additionally, we have stocked our virtual exhibit with electronic brochures and will have subject matter experts on hand to answer all attendees’ specific metal recycling inquiries,” he adds.
ELV Processing
TOMRA’s 20-year long partnership with WENDT Corporation, which manufactures recycling technology, has advanced ELV shredding and sorting. Attendees of the demonstration will have the opportunity to explore how an ELV processor uses TOMRA technology to sort metal mono-fractions.
TOMRA’s FINDER sorting solution can help recover nonferrous metals from shredded ELV scrap. The FINDER uses SUPPIX and Z-Tech technologies to recover high purity metal fractions regardless of grain size or composition complexity. X-TRACT for magnesium removal uses X-ray (XRT) technology to help ELV operations produce low-magnesium Twitch from Zorba across the full-size spectrum from 0.2-4.7 in (5-120 mm).
E-Scrap
E-scrap has become a very hot topic as people have been working from home over the past year due to the pandemic, says Thurston. There are already several challenges involved in processing e-scrap. There are different plastic colors and grades in the material stream, and manufacturers create varied printed circuit board (PCB) colors. Attendees will learn how TOMRA addresses these challenges through the TOMRA AUTOSORT FINES near infrared (NIR) and visible spectroscopy (VIS) technologies that sort the stream by color and material composite.
The TOMRA FINDER with laser object detection (LOD), “allows even more precise sorting of metals from plastics, creating higher purity plastics and metals streams for extruders and smelters alike,” says Thurston.
Aluminum Smelters
At ISRI2021, TOMRA will demonstrate how the company’s technology produces high purity aluminum scrap. TOMRA X-TRACT can separate aluminum from mixed heavy metal fractions to delivery recycled aluminum purity. Its sensor and X-ray set-up can detect subtle density differences between aluminum and magnesium.
The X-ray technology in X-TRACT X6 FINES sorts metal grains as small as 0.2 in. (5 mm.) at purity rates reaching 98-99%. X-TRACT X6 FINES can sort materials regardless of thickness by employing two independent devices with different spectral sensitivities.
Waste-to-Energy
Incinerator bottom ash (IBA) is a form of ash produced in incineration facilities that often contains valuable metals. The amount of IBA is rising due to an increase in legislation that prohibits landfilling and creates incentives for incineration. TOMRA X-TRACT sorts these materials, including aluminum, from heavier metals like copper, brass, and zinc as well as coins. TOMRA COMBISENSE with FLUID COOL technology allows for heavy metals to be further sorted by color.
Regarding the company’s overall demonstration, Thurston anticipates booth attendees will come away with a greater understanding for TOMRA’s place as a global leader in metals sorting technology and its commitment to divert materials from landfills. “Every year TOMRA’s metal sorting units recover an amount of metals equivalent to the weight of 4,850 Boeing 747 airplanes or more than 650,000 compact cars that would have otherwise been lost,” Thurston says.
Images courtesy of TOMRA
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