Abstract
The paper presents an experimental study of the triboelectrostatic separation feasibility of two plastic mixtures, high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-polycarbonate (ABS-PC). To mirror real-world material recovery situations, the mixtures of 1-2 mm granular samples were sourced from Information Technology (IT) waste. In addition to balanced composition mixtures of 50% component A and 50% component B, heavily unbalanced compositions such as 10% A/90% B and 90% A/10% B were used in this study. The laboratory set-up consists in a free fall electrostatic separator equipped with a fluidized bed tribocharging device, characterized by interchangeable tribocharging chambers. Preliminary tests established the optimal material for the tribocharging chamber and the duration of the charging process. Samples of granular mixture were tribocharged, then introduced into the free-fall electrostatic separator. The analysis of the seven collecting boxes contents shows a recovery rate of approximately 90% and a purity of about 99% for both components. These results demonstrate the feasibility and the high efficiency of the triboelectrostatic separation of balanced and as well as heavily unbalanced composition mixtures of HIPS/ABS and HIPS/ABS-PC, using the fluidized bed for the tribocharging device.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
