Ballistic Separator

A ballistic separator is a machine used in waste management and recycling processes to separate materials based on their size and shape. It is particularly employed in the sorting of municipal solid waste (MSW), construction and demolition (C&D) debris, and other mixed materials. The primary goal of a ballistic separator is to efficiently segregate materials into different fractions, facilitating further processing and recycling.

Here's how a ballistic separator typically works:

• Feeding: The mixed waste materials are fed onto a conveyor belt or into a hopper to begin the separation process.
• Tumbling Action: The material is then subjected to a rotating drum or cylinder, which imparts a tumbling action. This action helps to separate the materials based on their shape, size, and weight.
• Openings and Screens: The drum of the ballistic separator is equipped with various openings and screens of different sizes. These openings allow smaller particles to fall through while larger ones continue to move along the drum.
• Gravity Separation: As the material tumbles inside the drum, gravity plays a significant role in the separation process. Heavier and denser materials tend to move differently than lighter materials, leading to further segregation.

The ballistic separator is particularly effective in separating materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and other recyclables from the mixed waste stream. It can improve the efficiency of subsequent processes like shredding, screening, and sorting by pre-sorting materials based on their characteristics.