ABSTRACT
The processes for separating various types of solid materials from each other are much different from the equilibrium processes used to separate liquids and gases. The processes for solids make use of physical differences in either a bulk property of the solids or in a surface property of the solids. Thus, they are more dependent on physics rather than chemistry and are essentially sorting processes. Sorting is defined as the act of putting the components of a mixture into a given place, container, or rank according to kind, class, or nature. That is, to arrange or separate mixtures of solid materials into homogeneous groups according to the characteristics of the individual components. Typical examples in waste management would be (1) the separation of glass, plastic, paper, and metals from each other, (2) separation of glass bottles into brown, green, and clear glass categories, (3) separation of plastic containers according to the type of polymer used in their manufacture, and (4) separation of scrap metals or metal cans into ferrous and non-ferrous categories. These types of sorting are essential to permit effective recycling programs to be achieved. The sorted products must not be cross-contaminated and must be homogeneous enough to be used as raw <target id="page_72" target-type="page">72</target>Vendors for Municipal Waste Recycling Plants
Buhler, Inc.
CP Manufacturing
1102 Xenium Lane
1428 McKinley Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55441
National City, CA 92050
(612) 545-1401
(619) 477-3175
Lindemann Recycling
Lummus Development Corp.
Equipment, Inc.
P.O. Box 2526
500 Fifth Avenue
Columbus, GA 31902
New York, NY 10110
(800) 344-0780
(212) 382-0630
Lundell Manufacturing Co, Inc.
New England CRINC.
Box 171
(Exclusive North American agent for Bezner plants)
Cherokee, IA 51012
74 Salem Road
(712) 225-5185
North Billerica, MA 01862
(508) 667-0096
material in a manufacturing process. This has led to the statement that any good recycling program begins with an effective sort. A typical sorting flow plan for recovering recyclable materials from municipal waste is shown in Figure 4.1.