Capacity Calculation

Compaction,Shredding and Crushing

Compaction and reduction ratio’s:
Compaction is the process of reducing volume of objects. The reduction of volume is realized by removal of air trapped in and between objects and/or changing the shape of the object by force permanently.

For compaction to be effective a system will need:

Enough power exercised on the object (s) ( Press Force)
Duration of the force exercised to prevent re-expansion ( Cycle(s) duration)

For a supplier’s evaluation these are the 2 most important factors. Keep an eye on these.

Reduction ratio’s relate to the amount of volume decrease from start of the compaction process. Many waste fractions may have high ratio’s such as PET bottles, cartons and glass. Others have very little reduction possible such as:
food waste etc. Be on your guard if high ratio’s are reported and relate this to actual press force and motor power of the machine.

On Shredding:
This is the process of breaking down materials into smaller pieces for further processing. Shredding has various possibilities such as fracturing, tearing and shearing. For typical waste fraction on a vessel the most suitable way is shearing. That technology has the possibility to process various materials at various sizes. Shearing is actually cutting the objects in smaller pieces – preferably at slow speed and slow throughput.
To do this effectively a heavy duty shredder for marine environment requires:

A minimum of 2 independent turning shafts
Shaft’s should rotate at different speeds (ratio 2:1) preferred
Slow–speed shafts, but with power : in this case => high Torque
Hooks pick up & cutter blades should be a right size and geometry
Have enough “grabbing“ surface area to “eat” the materials

BUT a shredder that eats too much to quickly will stall, brake or be in auto-reverse frequently.

Fracturing / Crushing (Glass):
Some brittle fractions are better to be fractured. Glass is one of those and still widely found onboard and usually also kept aside as segregate waste stream from the galley. A glass crusher needs a good hammering device and speed. Speed is important to ensure the glass is fractioned to very tiny segments & pieces.

So you want to be looking for :

Excellent stainless steel/Hardox materials & device and coupling gears
Shaft speeds preferred above 1400 rpm

For this equipment be careful on the safety measures and glass dust prevention on openings and length and width of feeding tube.

More information

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