title: Sorting of polypropylene resins by color in MSW using visible reflectance spectroscopy.
abstract: In this paper, an automated sorter is proposed for distinguishing polypropylene (PP) plastics based on their color. This sorting system uses visible (VIS) reflectance spectroscopy to separate PP resins according to their colors. A "Three-Filter" identification algorithm was developed to recognize the PP color (blue, red, green, white or yellow), and accordingly, give the command for throwing or not throwing PP to a series of electro pneumatic valves. The proposed sorting system was demonstrated to be fast and accurate, despite the presence of different labels and surface contamination on the PP resins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, IUT - Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Safavi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masoumi
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mirian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabrizchi
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001331:Automation; D003116:Color; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D059027:Recycling / Q000379:methods; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D013053:Spectrophotometry / Q000379:methods; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes