Machine vision techniques for ink particle analysis within the paper recycling process

Image processing systems have been increasingly utilised within the paper recycling industry to determine the ink particle content of a wastepaper pulp sample. The information obtained can be used to determine the removal efficiency of a process and to set process variables. The majority of measurements are performed off-line, but a high speed on-line system could provide data for an automatic adaptive control system. This could be utilised to improve the removal efficiency of individual processes via parameter adjustment, or to reduce costs by the control of chemical additions to match the ink levels present. The system could also provide an early warning of potential failures in the process or dramatic changes in the wastepaper input