Step 2: The final processing stage

In Step 2 of the actual processing chain, end-of-life refrigerator and freezer appliances are completely shredded and the reusable materials retrieved. The CFC contained within the insulating foam is recovered. SEG's state-of-the art solution for Step 2 comes either as a mobile processing plant or as a stationary facility.

Summary of the Step 2 process

The obsolete appliances are introduced into the recycling plant via a gas-tight twin-lock port. Rotary blades shred the entire appliance and the shredded material is automatically transported and sorted within the plant. To remove the CFC from the polyurethane insulant, the separated PU flakes are first degassed, ground up and then subjected to controlled heating to thermally desorb CFCs from the polyurethane matrix. The CFC-free powder, which is subject to continual quality controls, is then filled into storage bags. The gaseous CFC released is trapped by being drawn through a regenerable activated carbon filter system. The exhaust gas stream is continuously monitored in order to detect and prevent loss of CFC. The steel is extracted using a special separator. Non-ferrous metals and plastics are collected separately for subsequent reprocessing.

The special features in Step 2 of SEG's demanufacturing process

1. Mobile or stationary? Whichever you choose, state-of-the-art technology is guaranteed

1.1 Mobile Step 2 facility

SEG can bring its technology to wherever it's needed e.g. to municipal collection points, electrical goods retailers or industrial sites. Mobility means that CFC losses during transportation can be minimized and the volume of material to be transported can be reduced by a factor of ten.

1.2 Stationary Step 2 facility

In conurbations and densely populated areas where the numbers of appliances to be recycled is correspondingly high, it often makes sense to install a stationary refrigerator and freezer demanufacturing plant. SEG offers high-efficiency stationary facilities that guarantee compliance with all relevant environmental standards.

2. Demand-driven capacity

SEG knows that in the recycling business 'anything is possible' and has designed its technology accordingly. SEG can offer customers tailor-made solutions whatever their recycling demands. This flexibility is achieved by a well-designed modular system which allows the capacity of a stationary plant to be increased incrementally up to a processing capacity of one million appliances annually - refrigerator and freezer demanufacturing capability on a truly industrial scale.

3. Refrigerator and freezer recycling in accordance with the RAL standard

With SEG's refrigerator and freezer demanufacturing system, customers are guaranteed compliance with existing and future standards such as those based on the EU Regulation 2037/2000 on ozone-depleting substances. SEG technology is so efficient that the current amounts of CFCs recovered per appliance already ensure that the demands of even the most stringent future standards will be met.

• Like to learn more? SEG would be pleased to provide you with the information you require. Contact us today.

The following detailed information is available in pdf format for immediate downloading:

• Process diagram (48 KB)
• Brochure: Refrigerator and Freezer Demanufacturing (3.100 KB)