Rapid quality control for recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) streams: Multi-sensor integration for advanced contaminant detection

Recycling coarse aggregates from construction and demolition waste is essential for sustainable construction practices. However, the quality of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) often fluctuates significantly, in contrast to the more stable quality of natural aggregates. Contaminants in RCA notably compromise its quality and usability. Therefore, automating the quality control of RCA is necessary for the recycling industry. This study introduces an industry-focused, innovative, and rapid quality control system that combines Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) with 3D scanning technologies to enhance the detection of contaminants in RCA streams. The system involves a synchronized application of LIBS for spectral analysis and 3D scanning for the physical characterization of different materials. Results reveal that the dependability of single-shot LIBS analysis has been enhanced, thus elevating the precision of contaminant detection. This improvement is achieved by accounting for the laser shot's angle of incidence and focal length adjustments. The introduced technology holds potential for application in the real-time examination of substantial volumes of RCA, facilitating a rapid and reliable quality control method. This rapid assessment technique delivers online data about the concentration of contaminants in RCA, including recycled fine aggregates, cement paste, bricks, foam, glass, gypsum, mineral fibers, plastics, and wood. This data is both essential and sufficient for choosing a cost-effective mortar recipe and guaranteeing the performance of the final concrete product in terms of strength and durability in construction projects. The system can monitor the quality of RCA flows at throughputs of 50 tons per hour per conveyor, characterizing approximately 4000 particles in every ton of RCA, in this way signaling the most critical contaminants at levels of less than 50 parts per million. With these characteristics, the system could also become relevant for other applications, such as characterizing mining waste or solid biofuels for power plants.