title: Process analysis of recycled thermoplasts from consumer electronics by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy.
abstract: An experimental setup for direct elemental analysis of recycled thermoplasts from consumer electronics by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS, or laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, LIBS) was realized. The combination of a echelle spectrograph, featuring a high resolution with a broad spectral coverage, with multivariate methods, such as PLS, PCR, and variable subset selection via a genetic algorithm, resulted in considerable improvements in selectivity and sensitivity for this complex matrix. With a normalization to carbon as internal standard, the limits of detection were in the ppm range. A preliminary pattern recognition study points to the possibility of polymer recognition via the line-rich echelle spectra. Several experiments at an extruder within a recycling plant demonstrated successfully the capability of LIPS for different kinds of routine on-line process analysis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Panne
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niessner
mesh_terms: D004581:Electronics; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007834:Lasers; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D010969:Plastics