The DTI Smart scheme covers a range of grants for SMEs to review and assess technology through to research and development of new products.
The grant will be used by Suffolk-based Waste Mechanics to develop a water separation system for removing light contamination from skip and construction and demolition waste.
The separation system is called the “Zambezi” as it uses a powerful flume of water to separate light and heavy materials.
Waste Mechanics has started work on the project and a test rig has been constructed, on which the concept will be evaluated. Once the basic idea has been assessed the rig will be taken to a number of demolition and recycling centres to be tested on a range of different materials.
Alan Valentine, of Waste Mechanics, said: “The aim of the “Zambezi” is to remove all light contaminants, including wood, paper and plastic from the waste material to produce a high quality clean secondary aggregate. Initial tests have been very successful.”
He added: “Currently much of this type of separation is done by manual labour on a picking line. This is an expensive, unpleasant operation. The “Zambezi” should eliminate the need for hand picking of recycled aggregates.”
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