Sorting Recycled Materials With Automatically Adjustable Separator Using Upstream Feedback

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. The separator apparatus has a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. Historical data is provided representative of a set of historical values of the operating parameters corresponding to improved quality of separation for given values of a characteristic of the input stream. A present value of the characteristic of the input stream is sensed. A plurality of machine operating parameters is automatically adjusted in response to the sensed present value of the characteristic.

1 . A method of sorting recycled materials, comprising:
 (a) providing an input stream of recycled materials, wherein a composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval;   (b) moving the input stream through a separator machine having a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters;   (c) providing stored historical data representative of a set of historical values of the operating parameters corresponding to improved quality of separation for given values of a characteristic of said input stream;   (d) sensing a present value of said characteristic of said input stream; and   (e) adjusting said plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters, via a computerized control system, in response to said sensed present value of said characteristic of said input stream so that said adjustable machine operating parameters approach said historical values of the adjustable machine operating parameters corresponding to improved quality of separation for said sensed present value of said characteristic of said input stream.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic of the input stream is density. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the density of the input stream is estimated by measuring a height of a portion of said input stream and a weight of said portion of said input stream. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic of the input stream is moisture content. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in step (a) the input stream is comprised primarily of paper and containers, the paper being primarily newspaper; and   in step (b) the separator machine separates the input stream into a paper stream made up primarily of paper, and a container stream made up primarily of containers.