Abstract: A method and equipment for separating particles of gold and other materials with high sedimentation rates in clays, soils, or slurries are provided. The method includes dissolving the clay, soil or slurry in as much water as necessary to have a suspension flow that allows relative movement between the particles to be separated and passing the mixture through the equipment. The equipment for separating the high sedimentation rate particles comprises a three-outlet separator.

Abstract: Wooden pallets are recycled by carrying out a first separation in a reception region (10) between pallets easily reparable and those which are not, in directing the separated items to conveyors: one conveyor (11) which brings them to a disassembly station (20), and a second conveyor which brings them toward a repair station (30). The layers of the pallets are separated from each other by sawing in the disassembly station, so that all the constituent elements of the pallet are separated from each other. Sorting and recalibration of the elements thus separated is carried out in separating, sawing and planing stations (21, 22). The elements thus sorted and recalibrated are stored in a storage station (40) which extends along the installation.

Abstract: A method for processing a mass of solid fine particles including Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (“NORM”) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the material is sampled and classified into fractions based upon one or more selected criteria such as particle size or particle density. The level of radioactivity associated with each fraction is determined, leading to separation of the mass of fines into selected fractions based upon one or more selected criteria and the activity levels of the fractions. Selected fractions are chosen for chemical treatment, thereby reducing the volume of material to be treated. By reducing the volume of solid material to be treated, the amount of chemicals used for treatment is reduced, along with the size and capacity of the processing equipment required to treat the material.

Abstract: A system and process for recycling shredder residue, in which separating any polyurethane foam materials are first separated. Then separate a fines fraction of less than about ¼ inch leaving a plastics-rich fraction. Thereafter, the plastics rich fraction is sequentially contacted with a series of solvents beginning with one or more of hexane or an alcohol to remove automotive fluids; acetone to remove ABS; one or more of EDC, THF or a ketone having a boiling point of not greater than about 125° C. to remove PVC; and one or more of xylene or toluene to remove polypropylene and polyethylene. The solvents are recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A process and machine for receiving and processing to a transportable and usable condition, water soaked waste dredge removed from watery bodies. The process includes the steps of separating oversize material from the watery bulk waste, grinding organic oversize material to pulp, adding the pulp to the watery bulk, adding stabilizers to the bulk, conveying the aggregate to a transporting vehicle and performing the mixing process within the vehicle. The process further includes transporting the mixture to a point of use, spreading the mixture, spreading a pozzolanic binder on the mixture and mixing the binder with the mixture in situ.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a kaolin clay crude to separate by selective flocculation impurity particles contained in the crude from finely divided kaolinite particle contained in the crude, comprising: (a) forming said crude into a dispersed aqueous slurry b adding water and at least one dispersant to said crude; (b) conditioning said dispersed aqueous slurry by adding conditioning chemical thereto, the conditioning chemical providing addition of monovalent cations to the slurry without adding multivalent cations thereto; (c) selectively flocculating said conditioned slurry by adding to said conditioned slurry a composition comprising (i) a high molecular weight component comprising an organic anionic polymer having a molecular weight of at least 1 million; and (ii) a low molecular weight component comprising an inorganic anionic polyphosphate; said composition causing impurity particles in said slurry to flocculate and settle as a dense lower layer and kaolinite particles in said slurry to be defloccul

Abstract: A process for treating thickened phosphatic clay suspensions, waste clay and phosphogypsum produced in the processing of phosphate ore by water beneficiation and chemical processing, the thickened phosphatic clay suspension having a solid content of from about 4 to about 40 percent by weight, includes mixing a sufficient amount of deflocculating agent with a thickened phosphatic clay suspension to cause deflocculation of the suspension to an extent sufficient to reduce the viscosity thereof to a value enabling the deflocculated suspension to be readily pumped from one location to another, the deflocculating agent comprising an alkali compound of a phosphorus oxide. The deflocculated suspension of reduced viscosity is pumped from one location to another and separated into a clay suspension and a phosphatic mineral and sand suspension.

Abstract: Continuous recovery of raw materials from coated films and apparatus for this purpose and film material recovered therewith. Large amounts of coated films can be fed to a continuous recycling process in which any pigments present in the coating and the substrate material are recovered. The treatment is carried out at room temperature in an alkaline medium consisting of soft soap, organic solvent and/or water, with or without the use of a catalyst. The solvent is recycled. After the first treatment stage, the film shreds can be treated in a second stage with a solvent/water mixture similarly to the first stage, and thorough final washing in a water or solvent circulation is effected in a third stage. The recovered film shreds are dried, pressed, milled and brought to the desired shape in a plastics agglomerator, and the recovered pigments are dried under reduced pressure (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A improved process for beneficiating kaolin clays to remove discoloring impurities is disclosed. The beneficiation of kaolin clay is improved by fractionating a kaolin clay starting material into a lower brightness first fraction having a majority of the discoloring impurities and a higher brightness second fraction with less impurities. The first fraction is then beneficiated (such as by flotation, selection flocculation, high intensity magnetic separation and/or leaching) to produce a kaolin clay product with improved optical properties. The first and second fractions may be combined to produce a product with improved optical properties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the continuous formation of slurry. The apparatus includes a hopper to receive particulate material; one or more transport/mixing assemblies that mix and transport the solid material and a carrier liquid; and a mixing/averaging tank that receives the solid/liquid mixture from the transport/mixing assembly and performs a final mixing and averaging of the mixture to achieve a desired slurry consistency. An auger inside the tank continuously mixes and shears the slurry. The tank has one or more outlet ports to continuously discharge the slurry. The auger may be bi-directional, to direct the slurry towards dual outlets on opposing ends of the tank. Preferably, a reciprocating screen deck is provided to eliminate oversized particulates before the mixture enters the mixing/averaging tank. Carrier liquid is introduced at several points in the process, including into the transport/mixing assemblies, at the screen deck, and into the mixing/averaging tank.

Abstract: A method for recovering coal from a mixture containing fine particles of coal, the mixture including fine coal particles, water, and impurities, the method including feeding the mixture to a first liquid/solid separator that removes relatively large pieces of material from the mixture producing a first stream containing recoverable fine coal particles, and pumping the first stream from the first liquid/solid separator to at least one second liquid/solid separator, the at least one second liquid/solid separator separating recoverable fine coal particles from the first stream producing a product flow containing fine coal particles and a discharge stream containing, e.g., water and impurities. In one aspect, the coal in the product flow is then dried and/or pelletized. In one aspect fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of less than 100 microns. In one aspect, fine coal particles in the product flow have a largest dimension of at least about 40 microns.

Abstract: Dumped solid waste is mixed with sand and fed through a shredder. Sorters sort aluminum glass and ferrous materials from the shredded waste, and an indirect fired dryer heats the remaining shredded waste. Dust in gases from the dryer is removed in a bag house. Sand is added to the dried, shredded waste, and the waste is cooled and stored in surge storage. The shredded, dried, cooled and stored waste is fed to one or more reducing chamber units. Waste is moved through individual chambers within the units with augers and is gravitationally fed between the chambers. Gases from the chambers are condensed, and the condensate is stored as oils. Solid products from the reducing chamber units are cooled. The sand is separated from the solid product. The resultant solid product and oils may be sold as fuel and feedstock, or the resultant product may be pulverized and combined with the oil in a slurry which is used as a fuel or a feedstock.

Abstract: A method for recovering densified plastic from mixed waste containing plastic and less than about 15 weight percent paper, and having a density ranging from about 2 to about 3 pounds per cubic foot, the method comprising the steps of shredding the mixed waste at ambient conditions; charging a batch of shredded waste weighing from about 250 to about 650 lbs. to a densifier; further shredding the mixed waste inside the densifier with a motor-driven rotating blade while monitoring surface temperature of the plastic inside the densifier, amperage drawn by the motor-driver and vibration level within the densifier; continuously shredding waste inside the densifier for a period ranging from about 5 to about 20 minutes, until the surface temperature of the plastic reaches at least about 220.degree. F.

Abstract: A placer gold separating method includes subjecting placer gold-and gold ore-containing sand and gravel layers accumulated on the bottom of the water of a river and placer gold- and gold ore-containing sand and gravel layers formed deep in the ground to excavation or suction excavation by utilizing a water pressure difference. This causes a mixture of the excavated or suction excavation placer gold- and gold ore-containing sand, gravel and water to flow horizontally by the action of a pressure fluid. The placer gold and gold ores are separated by utilizing a specific gravity difference while the mixture is flowing. A placer gold mining boat used to practice this method is provided thereon with a combination of a suction excavation component, a mixture transfer component, a component for separating placer gold by utilizing a specific gravity difference, and a component for discarding the remaining mixture from which the placer gold has been separated.

Abstract: Process and device for separation of wanted materials from product mixes which contain floating/absorbent material and metals having a ferromagnetic content, particularly from ink cartridges by means of the following steps: coarsely comminuting the product mix, separating the floating/absorbent material from the coarse fraction by means of float/sink separation, and separating metals having a ferromagnetic content from the sinking fraction by means of magnetic separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a mixture of mineral particles and recombining the mineral particles in an alterable, controlled fashion to create a plurality of products each having a predetermined, desired particle size distribution.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating contaminated soil is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reactor vessel for holding a volume of water which is subdivided into a first chamber and a second chamber. The chambers are in fluid communication and are partially separated by a baffle. A soil conveyor is provided for conveying a supply of the contaminated soil to the first chamber. A gas supply directs a supply of pressurized gas into the first chamber, thereby creating a turbulent mixture of soil and water in the first chamber to effect segregation of the soil into a substantially small particle size first fraction and a substantially large particle size second fraction. The reactor vessel includes a first outlet located in a lower portion of the second chamber for withdrawing a slurry comprising the second soil fraction from the reactor vessel. The lower portion of the second chamber may be funnel-shaped to help direct the mixture of soil and water toward the first outlet.

Abstract: A skid mounted first and second stage centrifuges, each being provided with an input pump. Drilling mud is delivered to the first pump, the first stage and then into a tank for storing temporarily the liquids separated from the mud. The heavier weight components are segregated, stored and later added back to the liquid discharge of the second stage to provide an output stream of drilling mud having a specified weight for use in drilling. The lighter weight components are removed at the second stage and are discarded to clean the mud. A control system provides for operation and control without overloading.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the brightness and increasing the yield of a kaolin clay by optimizing the removal of the titania and mica impurities in the clay and the amount of clay remaining in the slurry is disclosed. The method is a selective flocculation process wherein the clay is blunged, dispersed, and conditioned before flocculation. In the flocculation step, a high molecular weight anionic polymer and a low molecular weight anionic polymer, such as sodium polyacrylate, are added to the slurry after the conditioning process, whereby the titania-mica enriched flocs are separated from the suspension which is enriched with kaolin. This final kaolin product has titania levels ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%, a reduced mica level, a high usable product yield, and a brightness greater than 89.5 and at least 91.5.

Abstract: The present invention sorts unselected product from selected product using a chute having a grain separating section, a cross section to orientate the product, and a grain stabilizing section; a laser with a laser line transmitted through the product; a photo detector and processor to receive and analyze the light transmitted through the product to determine which product are unselected; and a separator to separate the selected and unselected product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of recycled fiber material and/or of the reject fraction discharged from paper mill screening systems of the short circulation of a paper machine, recover fillers as completely as possible and return the fillers back to the process as efficiently and economically as possible. The loss of fiber/mineral discharge as mill rejects from vortex cleaning and filler manufacture is decreased by treating a concentrated mineral fraction of the rejects to disperse the filler-mineral fraction and return the filler back to the paper making process.

Abstract: A method of recycling mixed post-consumer plastics waste includes the steps of providing mixed post-consumer plastics waste including polyolef in and non-polyolefin components, and melt-compounding the waste so as to form a continuous phase including a blend of the polyolefin components with the non-polyolefin components microdispersed therein. Preferably, the waste also includes one or more intrinsic compatibilizers, and the method includes the intrinsic compatibilizers at least partially compatibilizing the microdispersed components in the continuous phase.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of a combination of polyvalent cations, clay dispersant and high molecular weight anionic polymer to preferentially remove colloidal fines (slimes) from a kaolin slurry, leaving the remainder of the kaolin in the slurry in the form of a coherent gelatinous mass.

Abstract: A method for determining the purity of processed waste glass, in which the sample quantity is taken from the processed waste glass stream and is deposited preferably in one layer and is allowed to flow over a free-falling track and the foreign matter according to non-ferrous metals and opaque foreign particles are blown out and weighed according to a separate detection of said groups of foreign matter and for the determination of the quality of the sample the ratios of non-ferrous metal additions to the entire sample quantity and the opaque foreign particles to the entire sample quantity are determined, with said groups of foreign matter being jointly weighed continuously and the weight increases, depending on the group of foreign matter--non-ferrous metals or opaque foreign particles--which was detected immediately prior to the weight increase, being added to this group of foreign matter.

Abstract: A method of reducing the carbon content of a dry bi-modal fly ash includes subjecting the bi-modal fly ash to dry vibrating screen separation into a carbon rich component and a carbon depleted fly ash component with the carbon depleted fly ash component being created with a carbon content less than about 4 percent by weight and at least 50 weight percent of the fly ash component of the bi-modal fly ash. The dry vibrating screen separation is preferably a single step process with no prior substantial concentration of the carbon component of the bi-modal fly ash. It is preferred to employ bi-modal fly ash produced as a result of combustion of coal. A method of making a concrete mixture employing the carbon depleted component is also provided.

Abstract: An improved finely divided rubber-reinforcing clay mineral composition can be produced by employing a hydrous kaolin clay surface treated with a functional silane, a methylene donor compound such as hexamethylenetetramine, and a multifunctional methylene acceptor such as resorcinol. A novel process of preparation is provided. The improved reinforcing, treated clay filler can be combined with natural or synthetic elastomer compositions which can be cured to elastomer products which have improved physical properties, such as modulus, tensile, tear, wear resistance and/or resistance to heat build-up.

Abstract: Kaolin clay materials containing discoloring impurities can be beneficiated by microwave irradiation in the presence of water and a polyprotic acid component to produce a beneficiated kaolin clay material having improved color and brightness.

Abstract: Fine-grained kaolin clays having improved brightness can be produced by (a) using centrifugation to fractionate the clay starting material into finer and coarser fractions, (b) subjecting the coarser fraction to flotation to remove discoloring impurities and (c) combining the finer and floated coarser fractions to produce fine-grained kaolin clays having improved brightness.

Abstract: Separation and discharge of contaminants and defibration of undefibered waste paper can be effected in a single apparatus which has a generally cylindrical casing, a rotor concentrically arranged in the casing and a cylindrical main screen plate concentrically surrounding the rotor. Stock is separated by the main screen plate into that passing from inside through the main screen plate to outside and that not passing through it. The stock passing through the main screen plate is sent as accept stock to a next process. The stock not passing through the main screen plate is passed through a gap of a defibering section provided by defibration stator and rotor for defibration of undefibered waste paper and is further separated into the stock passing through an auxiliary screen plate and that not passing through it. The stock passing through the auxiliary screen plate is sent back through a circulation pathway in the rotor to inside of the main screen plate.

Abstract: An ultra-fine coal particle fraction forms a coal product with particles that are dilatant due to the mechanical stripping of the clay contaminates from the coal surface and the subdividing of the clay to clay platelets which are peptized to maintain discreetness in an aqueous slurry. The coal particles are unflocculated and can produce an aqueously permeable barrier on a sieve. The ultrafine coal product has an increase of 100-150 BTU per pound and when combusted reduced Nox production of 20-40% is realized. In a 15.times.0 micron coal fraction, the sulphur content is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method for beneficiating a low brightness fine particle size discolored kaolin crude to produce a high brightness coating clay. By combining the two beneficiating techniques of selective flocculation and ozonation, a synergistic phenomena occurs and a clay product of superior brightness and whiteness can be obtained from fine discolored clays that cannot be achieved by beneficiation with either process singularly. By passing the flocced clay through ozonation, the flocculant polymer left in the clay can be completely destroyed.

Abstract: A selective flocculation process that uses a mixture of dispersants including soda ash to disperse a slimed ore pulp prior to conditioning with a fatty acid, salt and then a polymeric flocculating agent.

Abstract: Waste paper stock pulp slurry supplied through a stock inlet is separated at screening sections to a high quality stock rejected stock containing contaminants and undefibered waste paper. The high quality stock is sent to a next stage as accepted stock. The rejected stock is sent to a defibering section and is diluted after defibration, part of the rejected stock; being circulated to the screening sections, the remainder being discharged out of the system through a rejection outlet. The provision of screening and defibering sections in one and the same screen can satisfy contradictory requirements, i.e., to increase contaminant removing efficiency, to raise production yield and to attain space and cost savings.

Abstract: Described is a process for separating a mixture of finely divided minerals into constituents thereof. In particular, the invention relates to a procedure for effecting such separation by a novel selective flocculation technique wherein a dispersed aqueous pulp containing the mixture of minerals is preconditioned for selective flocculation with an anionic polymer by addition of both a fatty acid such as oleic acid and source of polyvalent cation such as calcium chloride. The fatty acid and cation of the salt selectively coat the component of the mixture that is subsequently flocculated with the anionic polymer. A polyacrylate salt dispersant is preferably used in the process. The invention is especially adapted to the separation of colored titaniferous impurities from kaolin clay in which case both a white purified kaolin product and a strongly flocculated dun-colored titania/kaolin mixture are recovered and then dispersed producing a material useful as a paper coating pigment.

Abstract: A low brightness pigment and method is provided from a heretofore rejected waste kaolin stream. Kaolin processing rejects are high in iron-stained TiO.sub.2. After separating the stained TiO.sub.2 from the high brightness kaolin and concentrating the resulting fraction, the material can be processed to produce a low brightness pigment suitable of many applications where lower brightness is desirable, such as coating paper board without mottling.

Abstract: Waste paper stock pulp slurry supplied through a stock inlet is separated at screening sections to a high quality stock and a reject containing contaminants and undefibered waste paper. The high quality stock is sent to a next stage as accept. The reject is sent to a defibering section and is diluted after defibration, part of the reject being circulated to the screening sections, the remainder being discharged out of the system through a reject outlet. Provision of screening and defibering sections in one and the same screen can satisfy contradictory requirements, i.e., to increase contaminant removing efficiency, to raise production yield and to attain space- and cost-saving.

Abstract: A process is provided for clean-up of soils contaminated with highly viscous coal tar and/or petroleum derived organics. This new invention is based on application of the modified Clean Soil Process integrated with modified thermal desorption technology. This new invention utilizes the unexpected advantages of integration of the Clean Soil Process and conventional thermal desorption which cannot, when applied separately or in sequence (Clean Soil Process followed by Conventional Thermal Desorption), furnish satisfactory clean-up, but when integrated have the capacity to clean the most difficult contaminated soils (including soils contaminated by manufactured gas plants) to about 100 ppm, or less of total soluble organics and less than 3 ppm of PAH's.

Abstract: A process for preparing a high brightness, low abrasion calcined kaolin. A cretaceous crude is wet beneficiated by subjecting same as an aqueous slurry to degritting, classification, magnetic separation, and scrub grinding. The slurry from the foregoing is diluted to less than 15% solids and subjected while well dispersed to a separation in a centrifuge to yield an underflow and an overflow fine fraction having less than 5% solids and a P.S.D. such that at least 85% by weight are of <0.5 .mu.m E.S.D. and at least 30% by weight are of <0.25 .mu.m E.S.D. The overflow fine fraction slurry of dispersed kaolin is subjected to a partial filtration by passing same in cross flow relation to a microporous membrane through which substantially none of the suspended kaolin particles pass, to raise the solids content of the said slurry to at least 20%.

Abstract: A method of decorticating short lengths, typically three to five inches of material such as kenaf to separate bast from core and which has been harvested by a chopper harvester of the type used for harvesting stripped corn stalks. Material is subjected to abrading by a saw blade roller and travels down a screen for treatment by a combing action which results in separation of substantially all core from bast. The core passes through the screen and the bast is swept over the end of the screen onto respective collection conveyors.

Abstract: A method for processing domestic garbage includes the steps of sorting the garbage into two or more classes and placing each class into a unified domestic container. The container is divided into a respective number of compartments. The containers are transferred to a garbage dump site and dismembered into their compartments. Then, each compartment is transferred to its respective garbage class treatment location.

Abstract: A waste collection and separation apparatus having a plurality of reusable primary containers for receiving waste materials at the location of an individual user, a plurality of reusable secondary containers for aggregating a plurality of filled primary containers and a plurality reusable tertiary containers. The primary containers are flexible, sealable, substantially puncture resistant and have a volume of not more than 10 cubic feet. The secondary containers are flexible, sealable, and have an opening, lifting device and volume of between 10 and 750 cubic feet. The tertiary containers are flexible, substantially puncture resistant and have a lifting device and a volume of at least about 700 cubic feet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dewatering an aqueous coal slurry includes imparting high shear forces to the aqueous coal slurry in the presence of a peptizing agent to render coal particles hydrophobic by stripping clay from the coal particles and peptizing the clay in the aqueous medium of the slurry. The slurry is separating to recover coal particles and the aqueous medium is draining medium from the hydrophobic surface of the coal particles.

Abstract: A low brightness pigment and method is provided from a heretofore rejected waste kaolin stream. Kaolin processing rejects are high in iron-stained TiO.sub.2. After separating the stained TiO.sub.2 from the high brightness kaolin and concentrating the resulting fraction, the material can be processed to produce a low brightness pigment suitable of many applications where lower brightness is desirable, such as coating paper board without mottling.

Abstract: Method for processing vegetable, fruit and garden waste, indicated as VFG-waste, in which, after a pre-sorting has taken place, the waste (3) is brought into a washing-separating device (4), in which, with the help of water, the waste is separated into a coarse organic fraction (6) which is composted and into a residual fraction (7). The coarse fraction contains particles larger than 2 up to 4 mm. The residual fraction (7) is separated into an inert fraction (11) for recovering sand (13) therefrom, and into a fraction (15) consisting of liquid containing a fine organic fraction (17) and substances dissolved and colloidally divided in the liquid. The fraction (15), obtained from the residual fraction (7) after removing the inert fraction (11) therefrom, is subjected to an anaerobic stabilization.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for separating and recycling plastics from plastic parts containing, for example, light metal, rubber, non-ferrous metals and labels of any type attached. The plastic parts are also reduced to selected sizes. The method and apparatus basically includes shredding the plastic parts so as to reduce the plastic parts into a first reduced size of plastic pieces; moving the shredded plastic pieces to subject them to a magnetic device so that light metal material is removed from the shredded plastic pieces; subjecting the plastic pieces to a grinder device to reduce the plastic pieces to smaller pieces; subjecting the smaller plastic pieces to a sufficient high pressure steam to remove contaminate materials from the plastic pieces; and drying the plastic pieces and contaminate materials and separating the plastic pieces from the contaminate materials.

Abstract: Separation of impurities from kaolin clay is accomplished by conditioning a dispersed aqueous pulp of the clay with an anionic flotation collector, followed by centrifugation or hydrocloning to cause the impurities to settle from a dispersed pulp of the clay without an intermediate froth flotation step or a flotation waste froth is centrifuged or hydrocloned to recover valuable kaolin contained in the froth.

Abstract: Contaminated particulate materials of varying particle sizes are washed and separated by size by a steam washing process which concentrates the contaminant in the small size fraction.

Abstract: A method for recycling waste plastic material, from polymeric film or hydropulper waste, including plastic and cellulosic fiber or organic contaminants. The method includes the steps of introducing the waste plastic material into a size reduction unit, and reducing the size of the waste plastic material to particles having a maximum dimension ranging between about 1 inch and about 8 inches; mechanically hammering and rubbing the plastic material for separating a portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic; separating another portion of the cellulosic fiber from the plastic by flotation with agitation; further reducing the particle size of the plastic to a maximum dimension of about 1/2 inch; dewatering the plastic; drying the plastic to a moisture content of less than about 10 weight percent; and rolling the plastic into pellets.

Abstract: A method for producing rolled plastic pellets comprising from about 5 to about 10 weight percent cellulosic fiber and less than about 10 weight percent water from mixed plastic waste comprising polymeric film.

Abstract: Classifying and processing post-consumer plastic scrap materials for subsequent utilization. Post-consumer plastic scrap of various kinds, such as colored HDPE, natural HDPE, green PET and clear PET are separating into constituent fractions, and each fraction is separately reduced to flakes. At least some of the fractions are separately washed to remove fragments of labels or other foreign matter previously in place on the plastic bottles or other containers making up those scrap constituents.