Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the composition of glass, and for sorting glass according to composition. Glass of unknown composition is irradiated and an x-ray fluorescence spectrum is detected from the glass. The detected x-ray fluorescence spectrum is then compared with a plurality of fluorescence spectra corresponding to glasses of known composition. The glass of unknown composition is then determined to correspond in composition to the glass of known composition having an x-ray fluorescence spectrum most closely matching the spectrum detected from the glass of unknown composition. The glass may then be sorted according to determined composition. In operation, a substantially continuous stream of glass pieces is irradiated and detected while the stream is moving. Once the composition of a piece of glass in the stream is determined, it is diverted into an appropriate container of like compositioned glass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reclaiming hazardous inorganic wastes to produce an environmentally benign abrasive for use in loose grain processes, as a coated or bonded abrasive, or as a polishing grain. A tough and useful abrasive, with a MOH hardness of 7 to 8, is manufactured from emission control dusts of the aluminum industry or sludges from other industries, and may include small amounts of lead and cadmium oxides as toughening agents. The abrasive particles are sized by air sifting or by water sedimentation separating methods. The process for the manufacture of abrasive material comprises the steps of removing soluble salts from a waste stream by hot water extraction; using a computer matrix to group the waste stream into different batches for mixing with other glass-making materials to form a batch mixture; oxidizing the organic compounds contained in the batched mixture; melting the batch mixture to form a glasseous substance; and fritting the glasseous substance to form the abrasive.