Process and apparatus for spectroscopic identification and sorting of barrier materials

A process of analyzing recyclable materials and distinguishing recyclable materials containing barrier polymers from recyclable materials devoid of barrier polymers, the process comprising the steps of:

• projecting mid infrared (MIR) range light toward recyclable materials;
• separating the light that has at least reflected from or passed through the recyclable materials into at least first and second different wavelength ranges;
• measuring an intensity of the light within the first wavelength range, wherein the intensity of the light at least one wavelength within the first wavelength range is of a first intensity when the recyclable materials include barriers polymers, and wherein the intensity of the light at the at least one wavelength within the first wavelength range is of a second intensity different from said first intensity when the recyclable materials are substantially devoid of barrier polymers;
• providing reference data, wherein the providing step includes measuring an intensity of the light within the second wavelength range, wherein the intensity of the light within the second wavelength range does not vary depending on whether or not the recyclable materials include barrier polymers;
• comparing the measurements in order to identify barrier materials from non-barrier materials;
• and
• determining an amount of barrier polymers included in the recyclable material that includes such barrier polymers.

A process of analyzing recyclable materials and distinguishing recyclable materials containing barrier polymers from recyclable materials devoid of barrier polymers, wherein the recyclable materials comprise at least one of a thermoplastic and a thermoset polymer containing —NH or —OH moieties, the process comprising the steps of:

• projecting mid infrared (MIR) range light toward recyclable materials;
• separating the light that has at least reflected from or passed through the recyclable materials into at least first and second different wavelength anes;
• measuring an intensity of the light within the first wavelength range, wherein the intensity of the light at least one wavelength within the first wavelength range is of a first intensity when the recyclable materials include barriers polymers, and wherein the intensity of the light at the at least one wavelength within the first wavelength range is of a second intensity different from said first intensity when the recyclable materials are substantially devoid of barrier polymers;
• providing reference data, wherein the providing step includes measuring an intensity of the light within the second wavelength range, wherein the intensity of the light within the second wavelength range does not vary depending on whether or not the recyclable materials include barrier polymers;
• and
• comparing the measurements in order to identify barrier materials from non-barrier materials.