Container Reconditioning and Recycling

To add to BKP’s growing in-house treatment facilities, we have recently invested in a brand-new Container Reconditioning and Recycling Plant. The process is designed to thoroughly clean and optimally recondition contaminated containers for reuse, and granulate the plastic and steel components of smaller or damaged containers to prepare for onward recycling.

 

 

 

How does it work?

The process works in 3 stages, first all types of containers are decontaminated. IBC containers are then sent for complete cleaning, drying, and pressure testing, and containers abiding by UN standards are safe for reuse. Small and damaged containers not suitable for reuse are granulated, washed, and used as raw material for container manufacturing.

1. Decontamination

The decontamination process enables the treatment of flammable or highly contaminated IBCs, drums, or smaller containers in line with BAT [best available technology]. In a custom-designed extracted booth, the containers are washed using intrinsically safe equipment to remove residue and completed with an ATEX air-driven wash head. The residues are transferred into IBCs and sent for high temperature incineration, secondary liquid fuel production, or physiochemical treatment. All air emissions from the process are extracted through ATEX approved fans through a 3-stage filtration (Particulate, Lime, GAC) system to ensure no contaminants are released during the decontamination process. Once decontaminated, the containers may be further washed and tested for reuse or granulated for recovery.


2. Washing and Pressure Testing

IBC containers can be thoroughly cleaned in the internal wash station to allow for reuse. During this process, a 360-degree high pressure spray nozzle delivers a high level of impingement to all internal surfaces, ensuring complete and fast washing coverage, before moving over to the tipping vac station. The station tilts the container, and a vacuum nozzle is inserted to remove the pooled liquids to ensure a dry internal surface. The IBC is then connected to the pressure tester to ensure it abides by UN standards. The on-hand valve tester and overhead pump create a seal to inflate the container where pressure is maintained and monitored. If no loss of pressure is detected, then the IBC is safe for use.

 

3. Granulation and Recovery

Small or damaged larger containers deemed unsuitable for reuse are processed for recovery. These containers are fed through a custom wet granulator where the plastics are chipped to approximately 20mm in size, and a recirculated chemical wash process ensures most contamination is removed. The material is then further washed in a friction washing process using heat (if required) and mechanical action to further clean before it is dried and sent for recovery. The recovered granulate can be used as a raw material for manufacturing new containers. We accept HDPE and PP ex chemical containers for recycling via this process.

 

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