Material Recovery and Reclamation by Cryogenic Material Separation

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. offers material recovery or reclamation by cryogenic material separation techniques.  Cryogenic material separation is a process that exploits the different coefficient of thermal expansions  (CTE) of products that are made up of different types of materials. A simple example is copper wire clad in plastic (or other) insulating wrap. By utilizing unique cryogenic recipes, the contraction of frozen copper, coupled with the expansion of the bonded compound, can produce a sheer force that promotes separation of the two materials.

This process is carried out in different scenarios that utilize one of our cryogenic chambers or vessels. Precise time and temperature profiles are used to promote maximum separation. In many cases, the objective is to recover an underlying substrate or metal element that has been over-coated and/or bonded to an elastometric or insulating compound. Cryogenic material separation is ideal for thermoplastics (PVC, nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene), thermosets (synthetic and natural rubbers, etc.) and all metals.

Some examples of applications include high value precious metals recovery, recovery of steel reinforcements from oil well seals, removal of molded or bonded materials that have cured and were misapplied or not in specification when applied and waste stream separation.

Through our consulting and engineering capabilities, we have worked with customers to specify processes and design custom tools to support their efforts for in-house material reclamation. This can be practical when volumes and frequency of occurrence justify it. In such cases, we provide design, build, installation and on-site training for your operators.   

While we have many experiences in cryogenic material separation and recovery, every application has its unique challenges. We encourage you to call us at 800 739 7949 or 508 459 7447 for more information about our Cryogenic Material Separation processes and services.

To learn more, call toll free 800 739 7949 or 508 459 7447 or e-mail us at info@nitrofreeze.com