Optimization of Air Roller Separator for Improving the Separation Efficiency of Shredded Unsorted Plastic Waste

Kyeonghyeon Lee; Kyunghee Cheon; Kwonho Park; Hoon Lee

doi:10.7844/kirr.2025.34.2.25

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2025 Vol.34, Issue 2 Preview Page Next Page

Research Paper

Optimization of Air Roller Separator for Improving the Separation Efficiency of Shredded Unsorted Plastic Waste 미선별 폐플라스틱 파쇄물의 물질 재활용률 향상을 위한 에어 롤러 선별기 최적화

30 April 2025. pp. 25-32

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Abstract

The air roller separator classifies impurities based on their specific gravity by utilizing a rotating fluid flow generated through high-speed roller rotation. This study introduces an advanced separation system designed to improve the recycling rate of unsorted plastic waste. The effects of key mechanical parameters (roller height, roller gap, and roller rotation speed) and operational parameters (temperature and feed rate) on impurity rates and target material grades were evaluated to determine optimal parameters. The optimal mechanical parameters were identified as a roller height of 0 mm, a roller gap of 15 mm, and a roller rotation speed of 1800 rpm. Additionally, the optimal operational parameters were determined to be a temperature of 90 °C and a feed rate of 800 kg/h. Under these optimized conditions, the impurity rate was reduced to approximately 0.5%, while the target material grade reached approximately 97.7%. These findings demonstrate the potential for enhanced separation efficiency through the optimization of air roller separator parameters.

Keywords

unsorted waste plastics

material recycling

gravity separation

air roller separator

process optimization

에어 롤러 선별기는 고속 롤러 회전으로 생성된 회전 유체 흐름을 통해 물질의 비중에 따라 이물질을 선별하는 장비이며, 본 연구에서 미선별 폐플라스틱의 물질 재활용률 향상을 위해 도입하였다. 본 연구에서는 미선별 원물 폐플라스틱 파쇄물을 에어 롤러 선별기를 사용하여 선별을 진행하였으며, 선별기의 기계적 요인(롤러 높이, 롤러 간격, 롤러 회전속도)과 운전 조건(열풍 온도, 피드 투입량)에 따라 이물질 비율 및 목적 물질의 품위에 미치는 영향을 평가하여 최적 조건을 도출하였다. 각 조건에 따른 선별 경향성 분석을 통해 롤러 높이 0 mm, 롤러 간격 15 mm, 롤러 회전속도 1,800 rpm, 열풍 온도 90 ℃, 피드 투입량 800 kg/h 조건에서 이물질 비율 0.5%, 목적 물질 품위 97.7%로 선별할 수 있는 최적 조건을 설정하였다. 해당 연구를 통해 에어 롤러 선별기가 적용된 선별 공정 최적화를 통해 미선별 폐플라스틱의 선별 효율 개선 가능성을 확인하였다.

키워드

미선별 폐플라스틱

물질 재활용

비중 선별

에어 롤러 선별기

공정 최적화

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Institute of Resources Recycling
Publisher(Ko) :한국자원리싸이클링학회
Journal Title :Resources Recycling
Journal Title(Ko) :자원리싸이클링
Volume : 34
No :2
Pages :25-32
Received Date : 2024-12-20
Revised Date : 2025-01-31
Accepted Date : 2025-02-03
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2025.34.2.25

Resources Recycling ISSN:2765-3439(Print) 2765-3447(Online) 자원리싸이클링

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