Low cost hyperspectral measurement system to identify harmful materials in construction and demolition (C&D) materials

Because C&D materials constitute a significant waste stream, increasing the diversion of C&D materials, through recycling and reuse, is identified as an area of need in EPA’s Sustainable materials management (SMM) Program Strategic Plan.Due to lack of technologies to quickly identify constituents, C&D-materials recyclers often dispose of potentially usable materials as a matter of precaution. There is a need for inexpensive technologies that can quickly identify potentially harmful constituents prior to deconstruction or in C&D recycling facilities to increase C&D materials recycling. Hyperspectral imaging is emerging as a non-destructive, real-time detection tool for industrial sensing and inspection processes. The long term goal of the proposed work is to realize a hyperspectral measurement system for C&D materials inspection applications by utilizing a novel optical system designed using a set of low cost components to achieve cost, size, and performance goals. The Phase I effort will focus on: an in-depth study of how the technology can and should be adapted for use within C&D materials inspection applications; detailed design development, and proof of principle experimental testing/demonstration. The target market for the innovation is the construction and demolition industry as well as organizations that specialize in waste collection and materials recovery.