Due to the apparent homogeneity of the rope fraction regarding
object shape, size and material composition (i.e.
no wood, stones, etc.), characterization work focused on
the non-rope fractions. The following analyses were carried
out on sub-samples of these non-rope fractions:
1 Determination of size distribution by screening
2 Float-sink analysis in water (1000 kg/m³)
3 Composition analysis of all size fractions by manual
sorting after float-sink analysis
4 Density fractionation of the lighter-than-water
material by float-sink analysis at different densities
in the range of 880 – 1000 kg/m³
5 Determination of plastic types in several fractions by
FTIR (Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy)
analysis
Mass balance of the master sample
According to Table 9.1, 80% of the plastics in the sample
were non-rope objects, 70% of which were smaller than
approx. 200 mm.