Inline hyperspectral NIR camera analyzers monitor material composition on the conveyor in real time, without contact and without interrupting the process. The equipment continuously scans the material flow and delivers to the supervisory system: composition by material type, chlorine content, moisture, and calorific value.
How it works
A hyperspectral camera installed above the discharge conveyor analyzes the reflection spectrum of each particle. The software classifies the material by type (plastic by polymer, paper, wood, inert, organic) and calculates quality parameters in real time.
Data is sent via network to the plant’s PLC/SCADA system, which can:
Record quality by batch, shift, or period (traceability and contractual compliance)
Automatically divert the flow when composition falls outside the target range, preserving the main batch
Generate alarms for upstream equipment adjustment
Applications
RDF/SRF production for cement co-processing is the primary application. Cement plants require RDF within strict ranges for NCV, chlorine, moisture, and ash content. The analyzer replaces periodic manual sampling with continuous measurement of 100% of the material flow.
Also applicable in recycling plants where fraction purity determines the selling price.
What it replaces
Traditional manual sampling (collection, lab submission, hours or days of waiting). The analyzer does not replace the laboratory for formal certification, but fully replaces sampling as a process control tool. It measures, decides, and corrects in seconds.
Limitations
Hyperspectral NIR does not reliably identify dark/black materials, is sensitive to excessive surface moisture, and requires particle size compatible with the camera’s field of view. Initial calibration requires cross-validation with laboratory analyses of the actual material.
The decision to include this technology depends on the end-user contract, processed volume, and the cost of non-compliance.