1
Identificar la fraccion ligera a eliminar
Defina si el contaminante objetivo son etiquetas de papel, fragmentos de film PE/PP, fibra, polvo o una mezcla.
Equipos Auxiliares
Clasificador Neumatico Zig-Zag para Separacion de Fracciones Ligeras en Reciclaje de Plastico
Un clasificador neumatico zig-zag utiliza una columna de aire ascendente con multiples etapas angulares para separar materiales ligeros — etiquetas, fragmentos de film, polvo y finos — de las escamas o granulos plasticos mas pesados. Rumtoo ayuda a dimensionar el clasificador segun la mezcla real de material, la pureza objetivo y el caudal de la linea.
Como Seleccionar un Clasificador Neumatico Zig-Zag
El clasificador debe adaptarse a la diferencia de densidad, rango de tamano de particulas y caudal — no solo al volumen de aire.
2
Adaptar geometria del canal al tamano de material
El numero de etapas zig-zag, ancho del canal y angulo de deflectores deben adaptarse al rango de tamano de las escamas o granulos.
3
Ajustar volumen de aire para el punto de corte
El ventilador se ajusta para que la velocidad del aire eleve contaminantes mas ligeros que el umbral objetivo dejando caer el material limpio.
4
Integrar ciclon y coleccion de polvo
La fraccion ligera arrastrada hacia arriba debe ser capturada por un separador ciclon y filtro de mangas opcional.
Lo Que los Compradores Necesitan de un Air Classifier
The zig-zag design is chosen when a recycling line needs a dry, density-based separation stage that handles moderate throughput with high purity in a small footprint.
Eliminacion Efectiva de Etiquetas y Film
La columna zig-zag multi-etapa separa confiablemente etiquetas de papel, restos de film y contaminantes ligeros de escamas PET, HDPE o PP.
Nitidez de Separacion Ajustable
El volumen de aire y la tasa de alimentacion se pueden ajustar para desplazar el punto de corte ligero/pesado sin cambios mecanicos.
Huella Vertical Compacta
El diseno de columna vertical usa mucho menos espacio que las mesas neumaticas horizontales o separadores vibrantes.
Common Air Classification Problems
Most issues arise from incorrect air volume, wrong placement in the line, or ignoring the moisture condition of the feed material.
Problem
Rumtoo Solution
Labels and film fragments still appear in the clean flake output.
Rumtoo reviews the particle size distribution and adjusts the number of zig-zag stages and air velocity to improve the separation of near-density contaminants.
Problem
Rumtoo Solution
Too many good flakes are carried out with the light fraction, reducing yield.
Rumtoo tunes air volume and feed rate together so the cut point sits between the contaminant density and the product density, minimizing flake loss.
Problem
Rumtoo Solution
Wet or damp material clogs the zig-zag channel and disrupts separation.
Rumtoo places the classifier after the drying stage and verifies the inlet moisture is low enough for reliable aerodynamic separation.
Problem
Rumtoo Solution
Dust emission around the classifier discharge area.
Rumtoo integrates a cyclone separator and optional bag filter on the light-fraction outlet for enclosed, zero-emission operation.
Machine and Separation Principle Reference
The zig-zag channel creates multiple separation stages where rising air lifts light fractions while heavy flakes fall through gravity.
Machine View: vertical zig-zag column with controlled airflow
The classifier feeds material into a vertical column with angled baffles that create turbulence zones. A blower generates upward airflow, carrying light contaminants to a top cyclone while clean heavy flakes discharge at the bottom.
- Multiple zig-zag stages increase separation sharpness
- Adjustable air volume fine-tunes the light/heavy cut point
- Compact vertical footprint compared to horizontal air tables
Process View: separating light contaminants from heavy PET bottle flakes
In a typical washing line, the air classifier sits after drying or after granulation. It separates residual paper labels, thin film scraps, fiber, and dust from heavier PET bottle flakes, ensuring the final output meets purity requirements for extrusion or premium flake sale.
- Particularly effective after label removers and dryers
- Reduces contamination before extrusion or flake packing
- Can be paired with cyclone and dust collection for zero-emission operation
Zig-Zag Air Classifier Demo
See how the zig-zag air column separates light contaminants from heavy plastic flakes in a working recycling line.
Typical Air Classifier Use Cases
Zig-zag air classifiers are used wherever a dry density-based separation step is needed to remove lightweight contaminants from recycled plastic streams.
PET Bottle Flake Cleaning
Removes residual paper labels, cap liner film, and dust from washed and dried PET flakes before extrusion or sale as clean flake.
HDPE/PP Flake Purification
Separates film scraps, label fragments, and fines from rigid HDPE or PP regrind after crushing and washing.
Post-Shredder Light Fraction Removal
Removes film, paper, and fiber contaminants from mixed shredded streams before further sorting or pelletizing.
Label Separator Complement
Works in series with hot-wash or friction label removers to catch any remaining label material after the primary separation stage.
Pre-Extrusion Quality Gate
Final dry cleaning step before the extruder to reduce contamination-related pressure variation and pellet defects.
Mixed Plastic Sorting Aid
Assists with removing lightweight foreign materials from mixed rigid plastic streams before NIR or sink-float sorting.
Reference Configurations
These are planning references. Actual separation performance depends on material type, particle size, moisture content, and the upstream process.
| Model | Channel Width | Throughput Range | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| RT-ZZ300 | 300 mm | 300–500 kg/h | Compact, 4-stage zig-zag, ideal for small washing lines |
| RT-ZZ500 | 500 mm | 500–1000 kg/h | 6-stage zig-zag, adjustable baffles, standard cyclone |
| RT-ZZ800 | 800 mm | 1000–2000 kg/h | 8-stage zig-zag, heavy-duty blower, dust collection ready |
| RT-ZZ1000 | 1000 mm | 2000–3000 kg/h | 10-stage, dual-inlet option, high-capacity recycling lines |
Throughput depends on bulk density, particle size, and target purity. Rumtoo will confirm the right model after reviewing your material data.
Air Classifier Checklist Before RFQ
These inputs help size the zig-zag column and blower correctly for your line.
Material Type and Contaminant
State the main plastic type (PET, HDPE, PP, mixed) and the light contaminant to be removed (labels, film, dust, fiber).
Particle Size Range
Share the flake or granule size after the upstream crusher, granulator, or dryer — this determines channel geometry.
Throughput Requirement
Provide the target kg/h and any peak-hour variation so the blower and feed system are sized with margin.
Moisture and Line Position
Confirm whether the classifier will sit after a dryer (preferred) or directly after washing, and share the expected moisture range.
Why Zig-Zag Classifiers Outperform Generic Air Separators
| Decision Criteria | Single-Stage Air Separator | Rumtoo Zig-Zag Air Classifier |
|---|---|---|
| Separation stages | One pass through an air stream | Multiple zig-zag stages for progressive separation |
| Cut-point control | Coarse — air volume only | Fine — air volume, baffle angle, and stage count together |
| Footprint | Wide horizontal layout | Compact vertical column |
| Near-density contaminants | Often missed in a single pass | Caught by repeated direction changes in the zig-zag channel |
Preguntas Frecuentes
Que es un clasificador neumatico zig-zag?
Es una columna vertical con deflectores angulares internos que crean multiples zonas de separacion. El aire ascendente arrastra materiales ligeros hacia arriba mientras las escamas pesadas caen por gravedad.
Donde en la linea debe colocarse?
Generalmente despues de la etapa de secado y antes de extrusion o empaque de escamas. El material debe estar seco para la mejor separacion aerodinamica.
Puede eliminar etiquetas de papel de escamas PET?
Si. Las etiquetas de papel son significativamente mas ligeras que las escamas PET, lo que las convierte en un objetivo ideal para la clasificacion zig-zag.
Como evitar perder buenas escamas en la fraccion ligera?
Ajustando volumen de aire y tasa de alimentacion para que la velocidad de corte se situe entre la velocidad terminal del contaminante y la del producto.
Necesita coleccion de polvo?
Un separador ciclon en la salida de fraccion ligera es estandar. Para polvo fino, se recomienda un filtro de mangas adicional.
Necesita una Etapa de Separacion Seca para Contaminantes Ligeros?
Comparta su tipo de material, tamano de escama, caudal y el contaminante a eliminar. Rumtoo recomendara el modelo adecuado.
Solicitar Propuesta de Air Classifier