Improving Sorting Efficiency with LIBS Alloy Analysis Technology

In aluminum sorting, productivity can be instantaneously improved using the Z laser gun (Figure 1), a laser-based alloy analyzer offered by SciAps. Unlike an X-ray gun that takes as long as 60 seconds, the Z laser gun completes the sorting of aluminum alloys within just 1 or 2 seconds.

Figure 1. The Z laser gun – the SciAps laser-based alloy analyzer

This allows at least 5 times the volume of aluminum to be processed, taking the monthly processing volume from 5 to 25 tons. The Z laser does not require any grinding. It enables more accurate and rapid sorting of aluminum scrap.

Red Metals

Red metals can be sorted much faster using the Z laser gun. Depending on the amount of aluminum and silicon bronzes present in copper (Figure 2), the processing time of the Z laser gun is at least three times faster than X-ray.

The Z laser gun is also capable of detecting beryllium in copper, which X-ray cannot.

High Temperature and Turnings

X-ray guns (old models in particular) are not productive in sorting aluminum and copper scrap, and should instead be used for high-temps and turnings.

Figure 2. The Z laser gun enables rapid sorting of red metals.

The SciAps Z is much more productive in sorting aluminum and copper scrap (Figure 3), and it can also be used in the analysis of high-temps and turnings, thanks to its unique argon purge.

Argon

The Z laser gun is the only gun equipped with on-board argon purge. The SciAps Z provides reliable alloy sorting thanks to its highly powerful laser of more than 6 mJ/pulse, and up to 20 Hz.

No Radiation

Because the Z is radiation free, it does not require any ring or body badges, inspections, record keeping or radiation logging.

Figure 3. Aluminum and copper scrap can be productively handled using the SciAps Z.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by SciAps, Inc.

For more information on this source, please visit SciAps, Inc.