Dem-Con sees improvements after optical sorter investment

Between summer 2017 and 2018, Dem-Con Materials Recovery, Shakopee, Minnesota, retrofitted its single-stream material recovery facility (MRF) with three new MSS CIRRUS optical sorters from San Diego-based CP Group. Another MSS CIRRUS sensor is currently in production and will be installed this summer. 

The three MSS CIRRUS optical sorters installed are used to target fiber. The units increase recovery, improve product quality and reduce sorter headcount on the fiber quality control line, according to the company.

“The result of the retrofit has been that we are able to diversify and solidify our end markets while decreasing our operations costs. We are able to establish a high-quality reputation in the market for selling paper. We have also realized the ability to recover cleaner containers from the paper screen and maximize the container value,” Dem-Con co-owner Mark Pahl says.

The 2017 retrofit included a MSS CIRRUS optical sorter on the tail of the CPScreen that is placed before the container line. The 2018 retrofit included two MSS CIRRUS FiberMax optical sorters on the fiber quality control lines. The CIRRUS at the front end of the container line positively sorts any remaining 3D fiber and sends it back to the fiber lines while simultaneously cleaning the containers. The two FiberMax units on the fiber quality control lines negatively sort fiber (positively ejecting non-fiber) in place of human sorters.   

MSS CIRRUS FiberMax optical sorters run at 1,000 feet per minute, which is higher than the industry standard for belt speed, the company says. This lightens material on the belt and increases accuracy by decreasing collateral damage. The higher belt speeds also increase picks per minute. MSS uses their patented PrecisionFlow eject hood in combination with air-assist systems for precise material handling of flexible material.

Dem-Con is currently in the process of retrofitting their MSS Aladdin optical sensor on the container line to the newest MSS technology, an MSS CIRRUS PlasticMax. This optical sorting unit will positively sort PET.

MSS CIRRUS units combine high-resolution near-infrared color and metal sorting, which allows a variety of materials to be sorted on a single machine.

“We continue to work with CP because they are responsive, listen to our needs and always deliver on time. CP’s team, through many variations of design, showed patience and a commitment to find the best retrofit design. We had a lot of teamwork between our companies throughout the design process. CP always has innovative and facility-specific ideas, and we really value the relationship,” Pahl says.

The 20 ton-per-hour MRF was originally installed by CP in 2013 and serves the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota.

“Dem-Con is a very progressive company. They adapt and create opportunities as material streams and markets evolve. We always enjoy working with this group and are proud to call them a long-time customer,” Ashley Davis, director of sales and marketing at CP Group, says.