Aerodynamic high-speed matter-on-matter material reduction technology provides tremendous flexibility, advanced and easily controllable size reduction, more cost-effective processing and opportunities for new revenue streams.
By Nicolas Belanger
Aerodynamically Based Technology
Aerodynamic material reduction machines generate internal tornados, or ‘vortices’, that propel the input material (feedstock) pieces against each other at tremendous velocity. The result is severe matter-on-matter self-attrition, with the majority of the impact created by the feedstock itself, and not by conventional mechanical means such as teeth and blades.
Because of the unique nature of this material reduction, aerodynamic technologies are the only type of machine with the flexibility to process many different feedstocks, all in a single pass, and all within the same machine. These materials can be reduced to a precise particle dimension, homogenized fluff, or even an ultra-fine (mesh) size for a multitude of feedstock. All of this is obtained while achieving throughputs in the 10 to 70 tons per hour spectrum.
Because there are no blades or teeth to wear, break, jam or require switch out in order to process a different feedstock, the aerodynamic machine offers greater uptime with the advantage of increased processing flexibility. With the ability to quickly change the output particle size via a control panel ‘recipe’ button, further up-time advantages can be realized, without the need to change mechanical screens or divert material through an additional size reduction step. Waste processors now have the option of using this aerodynamic technology to help create a more cost-effective, versatile, high-throughput, waste-processing operation.
This innovative self-attrition technology also allows for greater compaction of materials than current, mechanical shredding, grinding and compacting methods. This can mean anything from extending the life of landfills, enabling haulers to transport more waste with fewer trucks, and even creating opportunities for more diversion and recycling.
Applications and Markets
There are many applications for aerodynamic material reduction technology. These include the reduction of waste wood into various size fractions, sorted construction and demolition debris including asphalt shingles, aggregates and C&D fines, municipal solid waste into highly defined energy-from-waste applications, glass/MRF fines processing and e-waste. The technology is particularly beneficial in processing organics, from pre-compost material preparation and homogenization, to turning compost overs into sellable product, to the elimination of glass in final compost blends. Additionally, the technology allows processors to create valuable after market products that can develop new lines of revenue.
The greatest challenge facing this new aerodynamic material reduction technology is its early recognition by processors as a key and transformative solution for the waste and recycling industry. Traditional shredding and grinding material reduction technology has, to date, been widely adopted. Unlike these traditional machines, however, the aerodynamic high-speed matter-on-matter material reduction technology provides tremendous flexibility, advanced and easily controllable size reduction, more cost-effective processing and opportunities for new revenue streams. Ultimately, the aerodynamic material reduction machine will become a key component in waste and recycling industry material processing operations.
Nicolas Belanger is a 20-year veteran of the waste and recycling industry and the EVP of North American Sales for TORXX. He can be reached at (916) 202-4459 or e-mail [email protected].