Salt color sorter selection takes hourly throughput as the core indicator. Machine models are matched according to salt particle size, impurity ratio and production shifts. Channel quantity, optical recognition assemblies and air injection systems directly determine sorting capacity. Proper selection prevents reduced sorting accuracy caused by overloading or wasted energy and investment from oversized units. Before model confirmation, calculate stable hourly output of the production line and distinguish impurity levels of raw salt and finished salt, which forms the foundation of selection. Salt processing workshops feature high humidity and corrosive salt particles. During selection, anti-corrosion treatment of internal components must be considered to avoid salt powder corroding lenses, solenoid valves and air circuit parts. This is the key difference from ordinary grain color sorters.

Low-throughput scenarios are mostly small salt plants, food seasoning salt packaging workshops and small-batch refined rock salt lines, with hourly output of 0.5–2 tons and intermittent short daily operation. Small single-channel salt color sorters are preferred, featuring compact footprint and low space requirements. Matching hoppers and chutes suit fine edible salt. Equipped with high-resolution CCD lenses, they can sort fine refined salt and remove yellowed/black salt grains and fine sand impurities. Priority shall be given to anti-corrosion treatment of internal chutes and air valves. Salt powder easily adheres to inner walls, so dust removal and material cleaning structures are required for shift-end cleaning to prevent caking and corrosion of internal components. Frequent product switching for small orders is supported, as small sorters enable convenient material changeover for multi-variety small-batch production.

Medium-throughput scenarios apply to edible salt refining and industrial salt pre-treatment lines, with hourly throughput of 2–8 tons and stable continuous shifts, the most common working condition in salt industry. Multi-channel chute-type salt color sorters are adopted, with channel quantity matched to output. Multiple high-definition optical modules guarantee stable sorting. Material falls by gravity with consistent trajectory, suitable for uniformly sized refined salt and solar salt. These machines reliably remove colored impurities, mud lumps and shell fragments while keeping the reject ratio within a reasonable range to reduce loss of good salt. Evaluate raw material impurity content; high impurity levels require upgrading to a larger model under the same throughput to avoid overloading and poor sorting results. Workshop air carries salt mist, so racks and fasteners use corrosion-resistant materials, and electric control cabinets are sealed and moisture-proof to protect electric parts.

High-throughput scenarios are large-scale sea salt and rock salt processing bases with hourly throughput above 8 tons and 24-hour continuous operation. Mostly for crude salt pre-treatment to remove stones and discolored ore in bulk. Large multi-channel combined salt color sorters or parallel units are used to share total load. Large sorters have widened feeding channels for uniform material spreading and prevent salt stacking from blocking lenses. Crude salt has larger grains and obvious particle size difference in impurities; air injection valves need stronger blowing force to separate large impurities effectively. Parallel units can start and stop independently; maintenance on one unit does not halt the whole line, lowering shutdown risk. High-throughput lines require pre-screening and dedusting equipment to classify salt by particle size before sorting, improving separation precision.

When selecting models based on hourly throughput, salt particle size and moisture content directly affect actual capacity. Fine salt powder has poor fluidity and tends to agglomerate, lowering real capacity; capacity margin must be reserved. Dry crystalline salt flows well and allows operation near rated output. Wet or high-moisture salt cannot use conventional chute sorters due to sticking; belt-type salt color sorters for wet salt are required to convey material and solve adhesion issues.

A supporting air supply system is also needed. Air compressor consumption varies by model. Large sorters demand stable clean high-pressure air; water or oil in air will damage solenoid valves. Workshop layout shall be assessed; large machines require maintenance clearance and reserved dust extraction ports to collect floating salt dust.

Before selection, send salt samples to manufacturers for sorting tests to verify sorting accuracy and reject ratio under target throughput and confirm anti-corrosion structure compatibility. Calculate total daily output based on production shifts instead of peak instantaneous throughput to avoid long-term overload.

Select suitable salt color sorters by comprehensively considering hourly throughput, salt particle specifications, raw material impurity content, material moisture, continuous operation time and corrosive salt mist in workshops. Effectively remove discolored impurities, reduce good product loss and ensure stable operation of salt production lines.