Experimental Sensor-Based Sorting Setup

University of Mining Leoben

Leoben | Website

Open for Collaboration

Short Description

In waste management, sensor-based sorting systems are used for the sorting and analysis of waste streams and bulk materials. For this reason, a new experimental sensor-based sorting setup is installed for research purposes at the Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management (AVAW) at the Montanuniversitaet in Leoben. The experimental setup is also a compactly built, sensor-based analysis device that is optimized for use in universities. A grain size range between 5 and 150 mm can be achieved.

The experimental sensor-based sorting setup consists of the following components:
- Task unit and vibration conveyor
- Chute
- Emitters
- Visible spectroscopy (VIS), near-infrared (NIR) & induction sensor
- Compressed air valve bar
- Splitter

To carry out experiments, bulk materials are placed on the task unit, transported through the vibrating conveyor and separated. The material is transported to the chute, dismantled via the chute and is detected by the built-in sensors (VIS, NIR, induction). The classification of the individual objects enables the particles to be sorted using compressed air valves. The sorted bulk material is analyzed measured with an evaluation software.

There are various different areas in application of the experimental sensor-based sorting setup as part of university operations:
- Sample characterization and determination of the composition,
- Representation of a digital grain payment distribution,
- Discharge of contaminants,
- Enrichment of valuable substances,
- Sorting of bulk goods according to substance groups and
- Validation of sorting / separation results
- Simulation of sorting processes.

Contact Person

Gerald Koinig

Research Services

There are various different areas in application of the experimental sensor-based sorting setup as part of university operations:

- Sample characterization and determination of the composition,
- Representation of a digital grain payment distribution,
- Discharge of contaminants,
- Enrichment of valuable substances,
- Sorting of bulk goods according to substance groups and
- Validation of sorting / separation results
- Simulation of sorting processes.

Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure

- Sample characterization and determination of the composition,
- Representation of a digital grain payment distribution,
- Discharge of contaminants,
- Enrichment of valuable substances,
- Sorting of bulk goods according to substance groups and
- Validation of sorting / separation results
- Simulation of sorting processes

Terms of Use

Waste streams to be examined as well as their properties for a sensor-based examination must be discussed in advance with the Chair of Waste Processing Technology and Waste Management (AVAW). Please contact the research institution directly.

Reference Projects

BAT-SAFE - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of batteries out of several waste streams
BrickSort - Sensor-based VIS-sorting of construction and demolition waste
C-Planet - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of biodegradable plastics
circPLAST-mr - Mechanical Recycling of Polymers
ColSort - Sensor-based VIS-sorting of PE-flakes in different colors
DeSort - Sensor-based NIR/VIS-sorting of microplastics out of compost
EsKorte - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of lightweight packaging waste
FBS - Sensor-based VIS-sorting of construction and demolition waste
FlakePotential - Sensor-based VIS-sorting of PE-flakes in different colors
Multilayer Detection - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of multilayer packaging waste
NewFridgeRec - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of shreddered frigdes
NEW-MINE - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of landfilled material
NEW-MINE - Correlation of sorting efficiency with different influence parameters
NirLoss - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of several plastic foils
POrecover - Sensor-based NIR-characterisation of 3D-RDF-heavy-fractions
ReWaste 4.0 - Sensor-based NIR-characterisation of RDF
ReWaste 4.0 - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of RDF
ReWaste 4.0 - Sensor-based NIR-acquisition of several polymer spectra
RecyMin - Sensor-based NIR-acquisition of synthetic mineral fibres
Contaminant carrier - Sensor-based NIR-characterisation of heavy metal contents in RDF
SheathBlend - Sensor-based NIR-sorting of cable sheathings
WasteGuide - Sensor-based NIR-characterisation of PE and PP

Reference Publications

Koinig, G., Kuhn, N., Barretta, C., Friedrich, K. & Vollprecht, D., 20 Sep. 2022, in: Polymers. 14.2022, 19, 28 S., 3926.
Evaluation of improvements in the separation of monolayer and multilayer films via measurements in transflection and application of machine learning approaches

Koinig, G., Grath, E., Barretta, C., Friedrich, K., Vollprecht, D. & Oreski, G., 1 Sep. 2022, in: Polymers. 14.2022, 17, 35 S., 3620.
Lifecycle Assessment for Recycling Processes of Monolayer and Multilayer Films: A Comparison

Koinig, G., Rutrecht, B., Friedrich, K., Barretta, C. & Vollprecht, D., 11 Apr. 2022, in: Polymers / Molecular Diversity Preservation International. 14.2022, 8, 15 S., 1553.
Latent Recycling Potential of Multilayer Films in Austrian Waste Management

Koinig, G.; Vollprecht, D.; Rutrecht, B. (2021): Recycling von Multilayerfolien. in: Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft: ÖWAW.

Oreski, G.; Barretta, C.; Koinig, G.; Friedrich, K. (2021): Improving the quality of recycled polymer waste through advanced mechanical sorting, Book of Abstracts Polymer Meeting 14. Verlag der Technischen Universität Graz (Hrsg.). Graz, p. 44.

Friedrich, K.; Fritz, T.; Koinig, G.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D. (2021): Assessment of Technological Developments in Data Analytics for Sensor-Based and Robot Sorting Plants Based on Maturity Levels to Improve Austrian Waste Sorting Plants. Sustainability 2021; 13(16):9472. DOI: 10.3390/su13169472.

Friedrich, K.; Koinig, G.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D. (2021): Statistical modelling of sensor-based sorting processes. Conference Proceedings. Sardinia Symposium 2021. Cagliari.

Weissenbach, T.; Sarc, R. (2021): Investigation of particle-specific characteristics of non-hazardous, fine shredded mixed waste. Waste Management 2021. 119: 162-171. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.09.033.

Küppers, B.; Schlögl, S.; Friedrich, K.; Lederle, L.; Pichler, C.; Freil, J.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D. (2020): Influence of material alterations machine impairment on throughput related sensor-based sorting performance. Waste Management & Research, DOI 10.1177/0734242X20936745.

Hernández Parrodi, J.C., Vollprecht, D.; Pomberger, R. (2020): Case Study on Enhanced Landfill Mining at Mont-Saint-Guibert Landfill in Belgium: Physico-Chemical Characterization and Valorization of Combustibles and Inert Fractions. Detritus, DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2020.13941.

Küppers, B.; Seidler, I.; Koinig, G.R.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D. (2020): Influence of Throughput Rate and Input Composition on Sensor-Based Sorting Efficiency. Detritus 9, 59-67. DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2020.13906.

Friedrich, K., Holzschuster, S., Fritz, T., Pomberger, R., & Aldrian, A. (2020). Benchmark analysis for recycled glass in Austrian Waste Management. Detritus 2020. Volume 13 - December 2020, 87–98. DOI: doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2020.14038.

Friedrich, K.; Möllnitz, S.; Holzschuster, S.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D.; Sarc, R. (2019): Benchmark analysis for plastic recyclates in Austrian Waste Management. Detritus 9. 105-112. DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2019.13869.

Möllnitz, S.; Khodier, K.; Pomberger, R.; Sarc, R. (2019): Grain size dependent distribution of plastic types in coarse-shredded commercial and municipal waste. Waste Management 103, 388-398. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.12.037.

Hernández Parrodi, J.C., Raulf, K., Vollprecht, D., Pretz, T., Pomberger, R. (2019): Case Study on Enhanced Landfill Mining at Mont-Saint-Guibert Landfill in Belgium: Mechanical Processing of Fine Fractions for Material and Energy Recovery. Detritus 8, 62-78. DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2019.13878.

Garcia Lopez, C.; Ni, A.; Hernández Parrodi, J.C.; Küppers, B.; Raulf, K.; Pretz, T. (2019): Characterization of landfill mining material after ballistic separation to evaluate material and energy recovery potential. Detritus 8, 5-23. DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2019.13780.

Küppers, B.; Chen, X.; Seidler, I.; Friedrich, K.; Raulf, K.; Pretz, T.; Feil, A.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D. (2019): Influences and Consequences of Mechanical Delabelling on PET Recycling. Detritus 6, 39-48. DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2019.13816.

Küppers, B.; Schlögl, S.; Oreski, G.; Pomberger, R.; Vollprecht, D. (2019): Influence of surface roughness and surface moisture of plastics on sensor-based sorting in the near infrared range. Waste Management and Research 37(8), 843-850. DOI: 10.1177/0734242X19855433.

Friedrich, K.; Holzschuster, S.; Fritz, T.; Pomberger, R.; Aldrian, A. (2019): Benchmark analysis for recycled glass in Austrian Waste Management. Conference Proceedings. ERSCP 2019: European Roundtable for Sustainable Consumption and Production. Barcelona.

Friedrich, K.; Holzschuster, S.; Vollprecht, D. (2019): Benchmark analysis for plastic recyclates in Austrian Waste Management. Conference Proceedings. Sardinia Symposium 2019. Cagliari.

Friedrich, K. (2019): Sensorgestützte Sortierung von Leichtgut aus der Schwimm-Sink-Trennung einer Baurestmassenfraktion mittels Nahinfrarotspektroskopie. 9. Wissenschaftskongress „Abfall- und Ressourcenwirtschaft“. DGAW. Amberg-Weiden.

Möllnitz, S.; Khodier, K.; Pomberger, R.; Sarc, R. (2019): Grain size dependent distribution of plastic types in coarse-shredded commercial and municipal waste. Conference Proceedings. Sardinia Symposium 2019. Cagliari.

Küppers, B.; Vollprecht, D.; Pomberger, R. (2019): Einsatz sensorgestützter Sortierverfahren im Landfill Mining. Mineralische Nebenprodukte und Abfälle 6, 600-616.

Kunststoffe im gemischten Gewerbeabfall - In welcher Form und Wo?. Österreichische Abfallwirtschaftstagung 2019 „Vom Wert- zum Werkstoff. Die Umsetzung des EU-Kreislaufwirtschaftspakets in Österreich“. ÖWAV. Eisenstadt.

Küppers, B.; Möllnitz, S. (2018): Versuchstand für sensorgestützte Erkennung und Sortierung. Konferenzbeitrag und Posterbeitrag. 8. Wissenschaftskongress „Abfall- und Ressourcenwirtschaft“. DGAW. Wien.

Küppers, B.; Vollprecht, D.; Pomberger, R. (2018): Einfluss von Verschmutzungen auf die sensorgestützte Sortierung. Recy&DepoTech 14(1), 111-118.

Vollprecht, D.; Küppers, B.; Pomberger, R.; Machiels, L.; Bernardo, E.; Krook, J. (2018): Das “EU Training Network for Resource Recovery Through Enhanced Landfill Mining” (NEW-MINE). Recy&DepoTec 14(1), 561-568.

Möllnitz, S.; Sarc, R.; Eichner, J. (2018): Vergleich zweier Methoden zur Abschätzung des Materialgehaltes in ausgewählten Abfallballen. Recy&DepoTech 14(1), 767-772.

Vollprecht, D. (2018): Neue Technologien für alten Abfall. Umweltjournal 2018(6), 9.

Küppers, B.; Pomberger, R. (2017): Entwicklungen in der sensorgestützten Sortiertechnik. Österreichische Abfallwirtschaftstagung 2017 „Die Digitalisierung der Abfallwirtschaft“. ÖWAV. Graz.