SBIR Phase I: An Improved Multi-Sensor Manufacturing System for Scrap Metal Sorting

SBIR 第一阶段：用于废金属分类的改进多传感器制造系统

• 批准号: 0419700
• 负责人: David Spencer
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: wTe Corporation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-07-01 至 2004-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0419700&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Improved; Multi; Sensor

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project will combine two methods of optoelectronic sortation onto a single manufacturing platform for high speed sorting of scrap metal. The project is aimed at sorting scrap metals and alloys, both low Z and high Z, at previously unattainable accuracy and speed;however, it may be applicable to other material sorting and identification applications such as for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and ceramic materials. The technology platform of optoelectronic manufacturing technologies for analyzing copper-rich, aluminum-rich, zinc-rich, titaniumrich, cobalt- and nickel-rich alloys at previously unachievable accuracy and high speeds into known alloys to meet smelter alloy specifications. The technology platform is not only aimed at sorting alloys into base metal groups, but can also sort a wide range of alloys by each alloy grade or type. The system is fully automatic and does not require operator intervention. The broader impact from this project could be a new technology that potentially could revolutionize the way nonferrous metals from plants are handled. Instead of disposing of the metals in a landfill, or selling them as metal mixtures, where they will contribute to land and water pollution or be sold at low prices, they will instead be separated, refined, sorted and resold into commercial end uses as high-grade, recycled metal. This project is aimed at validating small scale, cost effective rapid sortation technology having the potential of replacing large smelting and refining operations with small scale sorting operations. The market niche opportunity represents about $2 billion of a total potential $50 billion worldwide aluminum smelting and casting market. Mixed nonferrous concentrates from these sources and mixed scrap metal from thousands of metals dealers and scrap yards will be upgraded, creating significant value. Moreover, The new technology will also reduce environmental pollution because it does not generate emissions such as those produced by refineries, metal smelters and heavy-media plants.

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将联合收割机两种光电分拣方法结合到一个制造平台上，用于高速分拣废金属。该项目旨在以以前无法达到的精度和速度分选低Z和高Z的废金属和合金;然而，它可能适用于其他材料分选和识别应用，例如化学品，药品和陶瓷材料。光电制造技术的技术平台，用于分析富铜、富铝、富锌、富钛、富钴和富镍合金，以前所未有的精度和高速将其转化为已知合金，以满足冶炼厂的合金规格。该技术平台不仅旨在将合金分类为基本金属组，还可以按每个合金等级或类型对各种合金进行分类。该系统是全自动的，不需要操作员干预。该项目的更广泛影响可能是一项新技术，可能会彻底改变工厂有色金属的处理方式。这些金属不是在垃圾填埋场处置，也不是作为金属混合物出售，因为它们会造成土地和水污染，或者以低价出售，而是将它们分离、精炼、分类并作为高等级的回收金属转售给商业最终用途。该项目旨在验证小规模、具有成本效益的快速分选技术，该技术有可能用小规模分选操作取代大型冶炼和精炼操作。市场利基机会占全球铝冶炼和铸造市场总潜力500亿美元中的约20亿美元。来自这些来源的混合有色金属精矿和来自数千家金属经销商和废料场的混合废金属将得到升级，创造巨大价值。此外，新技术还将减少环境污染，因为它不会产生炼油厂，金属冶炼厂和重介质工厂产生的排放物。