Enhancement in a Mechatronic Aluminum Beverage Cans Recycling Machine
Authors: H. M. El-Zomor, M. Hany
Abstract:
Recycling of aluminum beverage cans is an important issue due to its economic and environmental effect. One of the significant factors in aluminum cans recycling process is the transportation cost from the landfill space. An automatic compression baler (ACB) machine has been designed and built to densify the aluminum beverage cans. It has been constructed using numerous fabricated components. Two types of control methodology have been introduced in this ACB machine to achieve its goal. The first is a semi-automatic system, and the second is a mechatronic system by using a Programmable Logic Control (PLC). The effect of single and double pre-compression for the beverage cans have been evaluated by using the PLC control. Comparisons have been performed between the two types of control methodologies by operating this ACB machine in different working conditions. The double pre-compression in PLC control proves that there is an enhancement in the ACB performance by 133% greater than the direct compression in the semi-automatic control. In addition, the percentage of the reduction ratio in volume reaches 77%, and the compaction ratio reaches about four times of the initial volume.
Keywords: Aluminum can recycling, Fully automatic machine, Hydraulic system control, Multi-compression.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1335914
Procedia APA BibTeX Chicago EndNote Harvard JSON MLA RIS XML ISO 690 PDF Downloads 2587References:
[1] A. Barrett and J. Lawlor, The Economics of waste management in Ireland, Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin, 1995.
[2] G. Tchobanoglous, H. Theisen and S.A. Vigil, Integrated solid waste management: Engineering principles and management issues, (McGraw Hill, New York, 1993).
[3] Gorden Kate and Ode Susan, High Performance Cities A Guide To Energy Saving Policies For Urban Areas, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability.
[4] Aluminum Industry Vision, Sustainable Solutions for Dynamic World (Arlington, VA: the Aluminum Assocation, 2001), P17.
[5] Wasting and Recycling Trends: Conclusions from CRI’s 2008 Beverage Market Data Analysis, Container Recycling Institute, 2008. (accessed on Dec 16, 2008).
[6] Dietrich G. Altenpohl, edited by J.G. Kaufman and S.K. Das, Aluminum Technology Applications and Environment: A profile of a Modern Metal, (The Aluminum Association, Washington, D.C. and TMS, Warrendale, PA, 1998), P.328-335.
[7] H. Cheng, and X. Du, On the dynamic Mechanism of developing recycling Economy for Enterprises in China, International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development, Vol. 1, 2010, P. 20-29.
[8] A. Henry, Aluminum engine, Recycle Today 2007; 44:S8–12. International Aluminum Institute; 2007. http://www.world.aluminium. org (accessed on April 28, 2007).
[9] A. Elfasakhany, J. Marquez, E.Y. Rezola, and J. Benitez, Design and Development of an Economic Autonomous Beverage Cans Crusher, International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 3(3), 2012, P. 107-122.
[10] Associação Brasileira do Alumínio (ABAL). Indices de reciclagem de latas de alum´ınio; http://www.abal.org.br/english/noticias/lista_noticia .asp?id=156 (accessed on October,2011).
[11] Aluminum Can Recycling article (http://www.wastecare.com/ Articles_Aluminum _Can _Recycling.htm).
[12] A. Ohri, and P. Singh, GIS Based Secondary Storage and Transportation System Planning for Municipal Solid Waste, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, Vol. 1, 2010, P. 108-130.