SICON's Polyfloat system designed as a treatment process for wet, density-based separation of plastics
New generation technology allows for high product yields and purity exceeding 99%
Mixed thermoplastic streams from end-of-life vehicle or electronic scrap recycling are in most cases supplied to thermal or raw material recovery or are exported to third party countries at the end of the treatment process. As a result, valuable raw materials are taken away from the national commodities markets. Processing methods currently in use are only able to generate low-quality plastic concentrates that are not adequate for a high-quality recycling of materials. The consequence is insufficient revenues or lack of potential markets. With its Polyfloat system, SICON has developed a treatment process for the wet, density-based separation of plastics, which compared to previous methods allows for achieving high product yields and at the same time highest level of purity exceeding 99%. Standard applications include, among other things, PVC, ABS/PS or Polyolefin separation from an input material with throughput rates of up to 7 metric tons per hour per processing line.
The heart of the Polyfloat system is the separator, which forms the optimum starting point for clean separation thanks to fins integrated inside the vessel: Plastic particles float to the top or sink due to their specific density. The so-called flotation belt effect (adherent air bubbles) is almost completely eliminated.
The equipment variations, including surface rakes, rabbling mechanism or floor scraper discharge, increase the wide variety of possible uses of the separator, e.g., for films or flakes of various particle sizes.
Besides a mixing station for mixed plastics and separating medium, there is a dissolving station and a mechanical drying line to complete the Polyfloat system.
All components are optimally tuned to one another with a user-friendly process control system.
The Polyfloat system is the right choice especially when it comes to consistent product qualities. After all, the user gains maximum operational reliability with online density measurement, residual moisture estimation in the good fraction and automated dosing of separating medium. SICON helps with its 15 years of experience and expertise in the shredder residue treatment when determining the optimum separation density and developing distribution channels. Even for plastic fractions that are not mechanically recyclable, SICON is happy to show a range of options.
A surface cleaning by means of a washing centrifuge and circulating water treatment developed specifically for the application is available for the pre-treatment of mixed plastics.
The VARISORT WEEE N sorting system equipped with a powerful near-infrared sensor system lends itself to removing tough soiling from the input material. The main objective here too is obtaining high outputs. Only then is recycling economic. In addition, the AIRSORT separation system, electrostatic separators and elastomer separators are available for the "refining" of recovered mixed plastics in order to generate the maximum product quality and purity.
