EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | NOVEMBER 2023 Primary Reduction

Securing discarded electronic products can be a serious task. Primary reduction of e-scrap is important not only because of the valuable elements that must be recovered, but because all secure data elements must be destroyed as well. Statista recently reported that global e-waste represents roughly $60 billion worth of raw materials such as gold, palladium, silver and copper. Only 17 percent of global e-waste, however, is documented as collected and properly recycled annually. To help increase that percentage, the following companies offer a variety of machines that can be used in e-scrap processing. “A client recently purchased four of our Franklin Miller TASKMASTER^® Shredders to improve vital stages of their shredding process,” explained Bill Galanty, president. This client processes the smallest electronic components, such as flash cards and circuit boards, to large components such as mainframe computers.  The shredding end goal was to extract components such as silver, gold, and copper. To extract those precious metals, the e-waste feed required a multi-stage, size reduction sequence to achieve the required output size. Our team installed two, dual-stage, size reduction lines running simultaneously, using the Franklin Miller TASKMASTER TM3000 and a dual TASKMASTER TM1600 in each line. “The shredders were the perfect solution for the tough, cutter alloy required and the processing demands involved. E-waste first flowed through the larger, TM3000 with fine, multi-tooth cutters – the first step in the shredding process. The TM3000 reduces high volumes of solids with a low speed, high torque and dual shaft design. This shredder is beneficial in applications that demand high power, large throat openings and extra heavy-duty construction. The unit design provides effective operation with low noise, sparking, dust or heat rise. It can also rip, tear and shred through a variety of tough solids and reduce volume for further processing or economical disposal,” stated Galanty. In the next processing stage, material flowed through a dual stage Franklin Miller TASKMASTER TM1600. These machines employed fine cutters to achieve the final output size required. Although smaller, the TM1600 is a powerful workhorse that shreds heavy solids in both gravity and liquid systems. Once the Franklin Miller shredders had finely reduced the e-waste, the material was ready for final processing. For over 100 years and three generations, Franklin Miller has manufactured crushers, shredders, grinders, wastewater treatment systems and more, for the recycling, chemical, pharmaceutical, food, mineral and wastewater processing markets. “Processing electronic scrap presents special challenges because when destroyed, the material must ultimately be devoid of all user specific data. Also, not all products require the same degree of destruction, but all electronic waste offers some level of recyclable materials,” commented Greg Wright, vice president of Granutech-Saturn Systems. “As a result, separation and recovery are critical elements of the overall process and Granutech-Saturn shredders provide the precision required for the destruction of all data storage products. Fully integrated separators perform efficient sorting and reclamation of e-scrap, regardless of the type involved. Our machines are designed to produce the final reduction piece size required while seamlessly integrating material separation and ultimately, the maximum volume of recyclable product. Granutech-Saturn e-scrap shredders provide the low to mid-range speed and high torque needed for high volume processing – up to 100 tons per hour – and with a wide array of additional processing requirement options. We also offer grinders that can be useful as part of a multi-stage system. Primary shredders for commercial e-scrap processing include our Saturn single, dual or quad-shaft machines and the multi-stage Saturn Grizzly M80 shredder. Integrated systems also provide the primary and secondary separation and size reduction needed for end product sale or disposal,” Wright added. Cutter options are available depending on the size, shape, quantity and material involved, and more in-depth custom shredding solutions for high-security applications. Other options:  custom blades, drives from 50 to 1250 hp, screens or magnets that may be needed for separation, post-shredding, grinders and granulators as needed and ancillary items such as infeed and discharge conveyors and vibration or rotary screen classifiers. The staff at Granutech-Saturn is proud to offer over 50 years of experience in manufacturing size reduction equipment for the recycling industry and they’re happy to help clients with their e-scrap processing needs. Drew Ramsey, Southeast sales manager at Recycling Equipment (REI), stated, “We specialize in designing, manufacturing, and distributing a wide range of recycling equipment for various industries and applications. Whether its electronics, paper, plastic, wood, metal or other recyclable materials, REI delivers innovative machinery to efficiently process and prepare them for reuse or further recycling.” Ramsey continued, “Many times, it can be challenging to find a turn-key solution to your equipment needs; this is where REI stands out. Testing customer materials is essential to sizing and designing the correct equipment. Equipped with a dual shaft, single shaft, and guillotine roll shear in our test lab, you can have confidence in your system design. REI heavy duty, low speed, high torque shredders stand up to the most demanding applications and our DS series operates at a slow speed with minimum noise, dust, and energy requirements. Our product line includes roll shears, shredders, balers, air systems, conveyors, tippers and more, which can help streamline the recycling process. “REI team members take pride in our commitment to customer satisfaction and we offer comprehensive support services, including installation, maintenance, and training. Our team of experts collaborate closely with clients to understand their specific recycling needs and provide tailored solutions that maximize productivity, minimize waste, and contribute to a greener future. We’ve made a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By partnering with REI, businesses and organizations can optimize their recycling operations, improve resource efficiency, and reduce their environmental impact. With our reliable and cutting-edge equipment, we are paving the way for a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled, fostering a more sustainable and eco-friendlier world.”