Modern metallic high-performance materials are characterised by precisely matched alloy components. In order to be able to increase the proportion of recycled material in these compounds, it is necessary to be able to exactly ascertain the alloy composition of the scrap content. Coatings of lacquer or metals make the analysis more difficult, since they cannot be penetrated with conventional analysis procedures. Here, a combination of two laser technology procedures can help: laser spectroscopy and laser ablation.

Laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) enables the recognition of materials on the basis of their distinct optical spectrum. This »fingerprint made of light« is used by the company PROASSORT GmbH of Werdohl to precisely analyze the alloy compositions of scrap metals. The measuring point needs to be absolutely clean with any coatings removed, which is done by laser ablation. For the development of this laser technology for the cleaning of outer surfaces, the Clean-Lasersysteme GmbH, Herzogenrath, was awarded the 2010 DBU German Environmental Prize. 

Procedure successfully tested

The process known as COLA (Collaboration Of LIBS and Laser Ablation) has already been successfully tested in laboratory scale. It is currently being realized as a prototype, to be subsequently tested under realistic operating conditions and further developed. There is great potential: from the automobile and aviation industries to waste incineration plants, scrap metal accumulates in vast amounts. With 100 COLA facilities, annual savings of around 1.1 million tons of CO2 could be realized. This corresponds approximately to the annual CO2 emissions of the city of Ulm.

Project implementation:

PROASSORT GmbH
Bärenstein 5
58791 Werdohl
02392 | 806655 0
info@proassort.com
www.proassort.com

Cooperation partner:
Clean-Lasersysteme GmbH, Herzogenrath
www.cleanlaser.de

Secopta GmbH, Berlin
www.secopta.de


AZ 32322