The concept of organizing waste - free production goes to a new level of practical implementation. Modern technologies allow us to optimize the processes of manufacturing products with the expectation of ensuring a complete production cycle. That is, the generated municipal solid waste (MSW) is not disposed of, but sent to a new production cycle. However, this concept in most cases is only partially implemented. Wastes either cannot be used at the plant that produces them, or they cannot be sorted accordingly. To solve the second problem, many industrial enterprises integrate a waste sorting complex with which you can get ready-made peeled masses of paper, glass, metal or plastics.
Organization of work of waste sorting complexes
Household solid waste is not only a vital product of the ordinary consumer of goods. Such garbage is left in the process of production and manufacturing enterprises, and distribution networks with commercial organizations. At the factory facilities, the waste sorting complex can be equipped without the creation of a transport organization for the transportation of waste. In other cases, companies draw up a special contract, according to which, another processing company will carry out sorting operations.
Before sending the accumulated waste, the company performs the weighing and layout of the batch. Further, the cargo moves directly to the sorting complex. This is followed by several stages, as they pass through, the selection of recyclables suitable from the point of view of production goals is made. The very sorting of solid waste is carried out in several stages, each of which is performed using special equipment.
Feed and feed conveyors
Reception of the batch with waste is carried out using special bins that can directly transfer the mass to the sorting line. At the same time, feeding schemes that are directly carried out by garbage trucks are also common. As a rule, the basis of such complexes is industrial concreted sites located under the canopy of the waste collection station. Bulky household waste is selected and loaded with special equipment. For this, bulldozers and excavators with appropriate attachments are used.
Already at the stage of selection of individual items of value, the sorting process begins. As a rule, the remaining mass is sent to the reversed conveyor, after which it is fed into an open container such as a multielevator. Depending on the operation scheme of a particular plant, recycling can be carried out at facilities adjacent to the sorting complex. It turns out a non-stop process of selection and processing, which allows to save a considerable part of the cost of transporting garbage.
Sorting conveyor
In most cases, sorting is performed with masses in which elements of uniform size characteristics are represented. To perform the sorting of such waste, the work of conveyors operated by operators is organized. Selecting suitable fractions, workers dump them into the appropriate hopper. Typically, the conveyor has several hatches designed to discharge a particular type of garbage - for example, for plastics, waste paper, metal, glass, etc. From the point of view of technical organization, such sorting of solid waste is the simplest, since the main emphasis is on manual labor. Automation only provides the movement of the tape, on which the mass of waste enters before. Moreover, there are one- and two-way lines, that is, selection can be carried out from one or both sides.
Automatic press
Press equipment is not directly related to the basic sorting function. Such machines usually operate with recyclable materials, which can be used for further production purposes. There are also waste recycling complexes that do not have a press. Most often, these are mini-factories, where immediately after sorting the received items are sent to production processing. The press itself is a hydraulic machine, which, by applying pressure, provides compression of the incoming mass.
Pressing as such is needed to form compact bales for transportation and logistics. At the same time, it is desirable that the waste mass entering the pressing machines has exactly the same characteristics. In this case, further processing of recyclables on machines of thermal or mechanical impact will be facilitated.
Storage hopper
There are two types of containers for collecting sorted waste. These are bunkers working with pressed mass and receiving tanks that are directly connected to the discharge hatches of the selected materials. Accordingly, such bunkers also differ in bundles with further technological processes. So, the finished bale drive can interact with a production line for recyclables, freight transport or a receiver for permanent storage. This bundle is determined by the tasks that a specific waste sorting plant and its equipment solves. Some enterprises cooperate with landfills for the storage of hazardous waste, while others at their own facilities recycle recycled materials.
Expendable materials
At the stage of forming briquettes ready for transportation or storage, special means are used to ensure the compactness and reliability of the blocks. The most complex processes involve the use of liquid formulations that enhance adhesion between the compressed waste. Before or in the process of pressure by the pressing platform, plasticizers and viscous substances are added directly to the niche with the material. In addition, the waste sorting complex can be equipped with knitting lines that are wrapped with polyester film or strap tape. This measure is also aimed at preventing delamination and crumbling of briquettes with pressed waste.
Modern features of sorting complexes
The technological development of modern MSW sorting complexes is oriented towards improving the quality of selection. In particular, the range of materials that are not disposed of and not sent to landfills for burial, but used as recyclables, is constantly expanding. These include rubber products, some types of artificial fabrics, polymers with unlabelled plastics, etc. The technical design of the mini-factories themselves is also being improved. For example, a mobile waste sorting complex allows you to combine the functions of transportation and processing, which speeds up and makes cheaper logistics processes. As before, waste management organizations pay special attention to environmental issues. So, at some complexes it becomes possible to dispose of hazardous waste that cannot be buried even at special landfills.
How much does the waste sorting complex cost?
A high-tech and productive complex can cost about 2-3 million rubles. Integrated mini-factories for small enterprises are estimated at 1.5-2 million. But much depends on the composition of a particular line and additional equipment. For example, one pressing machine can cost 350-400 thousand. However, many enterprises do without it. But in any case, the organization of its own complex of individual components will cost less. Such sorting of waste will be more efficient and productive, but you will have to prepare for additional cost items for line design and installation work. Small finished complexes are just beneficial because they require minimal effort during installation, take up less space and are less demanding in maintenance.
How to choose a suitable complex?
First of all, the amount of generated waste that will go to the sorting line is estimated. Depending on this indicator, the throughput of the equipment is determined. At the same time, a margin of 20% must be left. Also, the number of fractions by which household waste will be sorted on the conveyor is calculated in advance. The number of hatches and bunkers of final reception directly depends on this number - and, again, it will not be superfluous to foresee a few additional sections. The degree of automation of functional processes should be taken into account. Although most of the complexes provide for participation in the work of operators, manufacturers of such equipment actively implement automated control systems at certain stages - accordingly, they also increase the cost of mini-plants of this type.
Conclusion
The selection of suitable fractions for further use has become much more complicated in recent years. If earlier the tasks of sorting were reduced to the breakdown of waste into 2-3 groups, depending on the level of danger or the value of materials for subsequent processing, then modern enterprises set the goals of point classification. Suffice it to say that waste sorting on a high-tech line makes it possible to form groups in the areas of further use of secondary raw materials in factories and plants from different fields. So, the waste paper is sent to furniture production, metal briquettes go to machine-tool plants, and polymer waste today is in demand even in its pure form at construction sites. At the same time, the designs of complexes that directly provide sorting functions at enterprises are also being improved.