Optimization of Color Sorting Process of Shredded ELV Bumper using Reaction Surface Method

An color sorting technique was introduced to recycle End-of-life automobile shredded bumpers. The color sorting is a innovate method of separating the differences in the color of materials which are difficult to separate in gravity and size classification by using a camera and an image process technique. Experiments were planned and optimal conditions were derived by applying BBD (Box-Behnken Design) in the reaction surface method. The effects of color sensitivity, feed rate and sample size were analyzed, and a second-order reaction model was obtained based on the analysis of regression and statistical methods and R and p-value were 99.56% and < 0.001. Optimum recovery was 94.1% under the conditions of color sensitivity, feed rate and particle size of 32%, 200 kg/h, and 33 mm respectively. The recovery of actual experiment was 93.8%. The experimental data agreed well with the predicted value and confirmed that the model was appropriate.