HySort—Chute-Based LIBS Scrap Sorting
摘要
The successful usage of aluminumAluminum scrapScrap for remelting and recyclingRecycling is dependent on the target product’s specification and the qualityQuality of the scrapScrap regarding surface contamination, metal impurities, and predominantly the mixture of different alloy compositions. Sorting systems based on Laser-Induced BreakdownBreakdown Spectroscopy (LIBSLaser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)) are currently penetrating the market, as they allow sorting according to chemical compositionChemical composition and thus a much more efficient scrapScrap utilization. Hydro has been developing a chute-based LIBSLaser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) sorting system since 2016. The system, called HySort, has now reached industrial maturity with four installed units following laboratory as well 6-laser and 12-laser prototype development stages. A key aspect of the development was efficient and precise feeding of the scrapScrap pieces into the laser focal range to ensure a high LIBSLaser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) signal strengthStrength. The paper discusses key features of the HySort scrapScrap conveying approach based on numerical studies and derived design features.