X-Ray Sorting System from Titech Boosts Copper Recovery Rates

2 December 2010 Titech, a sensor-based sorting systems specialist has launched an x-ray-based sorting machine which it claims enables the fast and effective recovery of copper from shredded ferrous scrap. Called x-tract, the new product is based on high-resolution x-ray transmission image processing, and uses dry-mechanic techniques to separate materials and waste streams based on specific atomic density. The new system is the first product of Titech's partnership with Austin AI, a US-based manufacturer of Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometric equipment. The new separation technology featured on the product uses an electric x-ray source which creates a broad-band radiation in the energy range of 80 KeV to 160 KeV. This radiation penetrates the segregation material and, when attenuated, hits an X-ray camera with Duoline sensor using two independent sensor lines with different spectral sensitivity. The data supplied by this camera is classified using Titech high speed x-ray processing, so the atomic density of the materials can be identified. According to Titech, this is largely accomplished regardless of the material thickness. Titech claim that EDXRF is a favoured analysis methodology due to its rapid sensing speed, high degree of measurement accuracy, low cost of ownership and - most importantly - the ability to sort by material chemistry. Jörg Schunicht, Titech's business development manager metal recycling, said: "The recovery of copper from shredded ferrous scrap has always been a challenge but with x-tract we are providing the industry with unsurpassed levels of accuracy and efficiency." "The new system shows just how well EDXRF technology has integrated with our product and enhanced our offer. Its success means we are already working on a number of further metal-based applications for x-tract." Schunicht adds.