Abstract: A system for sorting articles includes a detector system having a plurality of narrow bandwidth sources of electromagnetic energy sequentially illuminating articles passing through the detector system, the detector system further including a collector for collecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the articles; a deflector for deflecting selected articles toward an alternative destination; and a control system, operably connected to the collector and the deflector, for actuating the deflector in response to a sensed parameter of the electromagnetic energy collected in the collector.

Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.

Abstract: A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. At least one characteristic of the input waste material stream is measured. An initial value is selected for an adjustable parameter of the automatic separator apparatus based upon the measured characteristic of the input stream.

Abstract: A system for sorting articles includes a detector system having a plurality of narrow bandwidth sources of electromagnetic energy sequentially illuminating articles passing through the detector system, the detector system further including a collector for collecting electromagnetic energy reflected from the articles; a deflector for deflecting selected articles toward an alternative destination; and a control system, operably connected to the collector and the deflector, for actuating the deflector in response to a sensed parameter of the electromagnetic energy collected in the collector.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. The input stream passes through a separator machine having a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters. Via a computerized control system the first one of the operating parameters is adjusted for monitoring the quality of separation achieved by the separator machine so as to select a value of the first parameter that improves the monitored quality of separation. This process is continued for each of the other adjustable parameters of the separator machine, and then the process is repeated so as to continuously adjust the operating parameters of the separator machine to optimize its efficiency of separation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a Materials Recovery Facility. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. The input stream goes to a separator that separates it into first and second output streams containing predominantly first and second materials, respectively. An automatic control system is provided with data representative of a feedrate versus separating efficiency relationship for the separator. The control system is also provided with data representative of an economic value of at least one of the materials. The control system calculates optimum processing rates to maximize profitability, and automatically adjusts a feedrate of the input material stream to the separator.