Contribution of image analysis to the definition of explosibility of fine particles resulting from waste recycling process

Abstract

In waste recycling processes, the development of comminution technologies is one of the main actions to improve the quality of recycled products. This involves a rise in fine particles production, which could have some effects on explosibility properties of materials. This paper reports the results of experiments done to examine the explosibility of the fine particles resulting from waste recycling process. Tests have been conducted for the products derived from milling processes operated in different operative conditions. In particular, the comminution tests have been executed varying the milling temperature by refrigerant agents. The materials utilized in explosibility tests were different typologies of plastics coming from waste products (PET, ABS and PP), characterized by size lower than 1 mm. The results of explosibility tests, carried out by mean of a Hartmann Apparatus, have been compared with the data derived from image analysis procedure aimed to measure the morphological characteristics of particles. For each typology of material, the propensity to explode appears to be correlated not only to particle size, but also to morphological properties, linked to the operative condition of the milling process.