Glass Clean-Up and Refinement

Glass recycling giants, Recresco, recently invested in a further three Impact Zigzag Air Classifier (ZAC) systems in addition to their existing one, for glass clean-up and refinement. The success they experienced with their original ZAC800 and the fact that it paid for itelf within months, meant that adding three more to their glass recycling operations would further enhance the process and assist them in achieving high quality material streams.

The initial enquiry from Recresco was followed by a trial separation of its material at Impact’s Test Facility. The successful trial showed Eric Gent, Recresco’s general manager, that the
ZAC800 was the ideal solutions in his glass cleaning mission.

He commented on Impact’s ZAC800 solution:“Impact’s versatile and robust ZAC800 delivers the results we need, not only in ensuring we achieve the highest quality material streams, but it is hard wearing, fully adjustable and never fails to disappoint. The ultimate aim is to divert materials from landfill and the ZAC800 ensures we can do that very well. Impact’s sales and after care service is also second to none and we know they are on hand should we need them at all.”

Each of the four ZAC800 systems installed at Recresco’s Ellesmere Port site, handle a different material size and refine the glass resulting in a top quality product.
• 2x ZAC800 process 35-40 tons per hour of glass with a particle size of 12mm-50mm
• 1x ZAC800 processes 12 tons per hour of glass with a particle size of 7mm-12mm
• 1x ZAC800 processes 15 tons per hour of glass with a particle size of 6mm-15mm
All processes are to remove fibre, dust and plastic contamination from the material stream.

How does the ZAC800 work?
Contaminated material is fed into the zigzag classification unit via a material in-feed steel rotary valve where it then enters the cascade enclosure and has to fall through an upward air stream. Differences in particle shape and density cause the lighter material to be lifted by the air stream, leaving the heavier density material to discharge from the bottom under the action of gravity.

The lighter material is then transported via a heavy duty transition section where it is conveyed to a material drop out hopper section for discharge via a further rotary valve.

Benefits of the ZAC800
• High quality material streams
• Fast return on investment
• Revenue from recyclable material
• Reduced landfill tax
• Low maintenance
• Hard wearing parts suitable for glass and other abrasive materials

Visit the ZAC glass recovery solution page here.