PE particle deoiling equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of PE particle deoiling equipment, equipment includes shell, rotation roller that can rotate around its own axis is set in shell, driving mechanism for driving roller rotation, for driving the up-down swing of roller feed end tilting mechanism, setting in the spraying system of roller interior and heating device being set in shell.The utility model makes rotation roller complete inclined feeding, horizontal rotation cleaning, rotation drying and inclined discharging whole-process operation in turn by driving tilting mechanism and driving mechanism.The utility model solves the problem that PE particle physical deoiling is not complete in prior art, by combining rotation and tilting function, efficient, automated chemical cleaning and drying are realized, can thoroughly remove oil dirt inside and outside particle, significantly improve the purity and quality of recovered PE particle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of polymer material post-processing technology, and in particular to a PE particle deoiling device. Background Technology

[0002] The production process of lithium-ion battery separators generates a large amount of scrap and defective products. To achieve a circular economy and reduce costs, these waste materials containing polyethylene (PE) and white oil are usually recycled and reprocessed into PE particles through processes such as dissolution, stretching, and pelletizing. However, because PE and white oil are deeply mixed in the separator production process, the recycled PE particles contain a high level of oil contamination (mainly white oil). When these oil-containing particles are sold to downstream industries, the presence of oil contamination significantly reduces the physical strength and purity of the PE material itself, leading to numerous defects in applications such as blown film and injection molding. This limits its application range, restricting its use to manufacturing low-end products with low performance requirements, thus greatly diminishing its economic value.

[0003] Currently, the industry commonly uses physical methods to degrease PE particles, with the most common approach being high-speed centrifugation. This method relies on centrifugal force to remove oil from the particle surface, effectively removing liquid oil. However, PE particles, being a high-molecular polymer material, have a complex internal structure, allowing oil to penetrate and remain inside. During centrifugation, the oil inside the particles struggles to penetrate the external PE matrix for effective separation. Therefore, physical centrifugation typically only removes some of the oil from the particle surface, failing to address the oil inside the particles, resulting in incomplete degreasing and leaving a significant amount of white oil residue in the PE particles.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide an oil removal device and method that can completely remove oil stains from the inside of PE particles and improve particle purity has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a PE particle deoiling device, which aims to solve the technical problem that the physical centrifugation method used in the prior art is not thorough in deoiling oily PE particles, resulting in insufficient particle purity and strength.

[0006] This utility model provides a PE particle deoiling device, comprising:

[0007] case;

[0008] A rotating drum is rotatably disposed within a housing about its own axis, the drum having a feed end and a drive end;

[0009] The drive mechanism is connected to the transmission end of the rotating drum and is used to drive the drum to rotate.

[0010] A tilting mechanism, driven and connected to the feed end of the rotating drum, is used to drive the feed end to swing up and down to switch between an upward tilting position for feeding and a downward tilting position for discharging.

[0011] The spraying system includes at least one nozzle fixedly disposed inside the rotating drum for spraying cleaning solvent onto PE particles tumbling inside the rotating drum.

[0012] A heating device, located inside the housing, is used to heat the rotating drum to vaporize the cleaning solvent remaining on the PE particles.

[0013] Optionally, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a gearbox connected to the motor, and a universal joint connecting the gearbox and the drive end of the rotating drum.

[0014] Optionally, the tilting mechanism is a cylinder, one end of which is hinged to the housing and the other end is hinged to the feed end of the rotating drum.

[0015] Optionally, the heating device includes a drying fan and a heater, with the hot air outlet of the drying fan located inside the housing and facing the outer wall of the rotating drum.

[0016] Optionally, the system also includes a mixture recovery system, which is located directly below the rotating drum to collect the mixture flowing out of the rotating drum.

[0017] Optionally, it also includes an exhaust gas recovery system, one end of which is connected to the upper part of the housing to collect the cleaning solvent vaporized during the drying process.

[0018] Optionally, the upward tilt position is when the feed end of the rotating drum forms an upward tilt angle of 15-45 degrees with the horizontal plane, and the downward tilt position is when the feed end of the rotating drum forms a downward tilt angle of 15-45 degrees with the horizontal plane.

[0019] Optionally, the mixed liquor recovery system includes:

[0020] A receiving tray for collecting the mixed liquid;

[0021] A mixed liquid collection tank connected to a receiving tray;

[0022] A liquid separation tank connected to a mixed liquid collection tank;

[0023] A liquid pump for dispensing the mixture is installed between the mixture collection tank and the liquid separation tank;

[0024] A collection tank level gauge used to monitor the liquid level in a mixed liquid collection tank.

[0025] The second aspect of this utility model provides a method for degreasing PE particles using the PE particle degreasing equipment according to any one of the first aspects of this utility model, comprising the following steps:

[0026] Feeding steps: Drive the tilting mechanism to move the feed end of the rotating drum to the upward tilting position, and add the PE particles to be deoiled into the rotating drum;

[0027] Cleaning steps: Drive the tilting mechanism to restore the rotating drum to the horizontal working position, start the drive mechanism to rotate the rotating drum, and at the same time start the spray system to spray cleaning solvent onto the PE particles;

[0028] Drying steps: Stop the spray system, start the heating device to heat the rotating drum, and keep the rotating drum rotating at the same time;

[0029] Discharging steps: Stop the heating device and drive mechanism, drive the tilting mechanism to move the feed end of the rotating drum to the downward tilting position to discharge the de-oiled and dried PE particles.

[0030] Optionally, in the cleaning step, the cleaning solvent is dichloromethane.

[0031] Based on the technical content disclosed in this utility model, the following beneficial effects are achieved:

[0032] By employing a horizontal rotating drum and innovatively combining a drive mechanism, tilting mechanism, spraying system, and heating device, this system achieves fully automated processing of PE particles, including feeding, uniform tumbling and cleaning, efficient drying, and automatic discharge. Compared to existing technologies, this invention utilizes the principle of chemical cleaning, employing a cleaning solvent with excellent oil-dissolving ability (e.g., the miscibility of dichloromethane and white oil). Under the tumbling action of the drum, the solvent can fully and uniformly contact the PE particles, penetrating deep into the particle interior to completely dissolve and remove internal oil that is difficult to remove using traditional physical methods, thus achieving near 100% deep degreasing. This thorough degreasing significantly improves the purity and physical strength of the recovered PE particles. Furthermore, the equipment can integrate solvent recovery and exhaust gas treatment systems, enabling efficient recycling of chemicals, reducing production costs, and avoiding organic solvent emissions, thus meeting green production requirements. The entire process is highly automated, stable in operation, and easy to use, providing a new, efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical solution to the degreasing problem in the recycling and reuse of PE waste.

[0033] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the PE particle deoiling device in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a front view of the PE particle deoiling device in this embodiment of the utility model.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a top view of the PE particle degreasing device in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Rotating drum; 2. Dichloromethane nozzle; 3. Cylinder; 4. Dichloromethane spray pump; 5. Dichloromethane storage tank; 6. Transmission universal joint; 7. Gearbox; 8. Motor; 9. Drying fan; 10. Outlet duct heater; 11. Exhaust gas duct; 12. Collection tank level gauge; 13. Mixed liquid pump; 14. Liquid separator; 15. Shell; 16. Level gauge interface. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0040] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use.

[0041] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0042] In all the examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0043] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0044] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2This utility model provides a PE particle deoiling device, whose core process is divided into four units: feeding, rolling spraying, drying, and discharging. The device mainly includes a horizontally arranged rotating drum 1, as well as a matching drive mechanism, tilting mechanism, spraying system, and heating device.

[0045] Figure 2 As shown, the entire device is enclosed in a sealed housing 15. Inside the housing 15, the core component is a rotating drum 1, which is rotatable about its own axis and is used to contain and process PE particles. The rotating drum has a feed end and a drive end.

[0046] The drive mechanism is connected to the transmission end of the rotating drum 1 and is used to drive the drum to rotate around its own axis when it is in a horizontal working position. In this embodiment, it consists of a motor 8, a gearbox 7, and a transmission universal joint 6.

[0047] The tilting mechanism is connected to the feed end of the rotating drum 1 and can drive the feed end to swing up and down to facilitate feeding and discharging. In this embodiment, the tilting mechanism is specifically a cylinder 3, one end of which is hinged to the housing 15 and the other end is hinged to the feed end of the rotating drum 1.

[0048] The use of a universal joint is a key design feature of this solution. Its function is to effectively transmit the rotational power of the drive mechanism and adapt to the angle changes generated when the rotating drum swings through the tilting mechanism, thereby ensuring that the equipment can flexibly switch between different working conditions such as cleaning, feeding and discharging.

[0049] The spray system is used to perform chemical cleaning. It includes a dichloromethane storage tank 5, a dichloromethane spray pump 4, and dichloromethane nozzles 2 disposed above and inside the rotating drum 1.

[0050] The heating device in this embodiment is specifically a drying system used to remove residual solvent from the particles after cleaning. It includes a drying fan 9 and an air outlet duct heater 10.

[0051] In addition, the equipment integrates a mixed liquid recovery system and a tail gas recovery system to achieve solvent recycling and environmental protection.

[0052] Workflow:

[0053] 1. Feeding unit

[0054] At the start of operation, select "Start Feeding" on the equipment's control panel. The control program drives the tilting mechanism (cylinder 3) to lift the feed end of the rotating drum 1 to an upward tilting position. In this embodiment, the upward tilting position is an angle of 15-45 degrees between the feed end and the horizontal plane, such as 30 degrees. This angle allows PE particles to slide smoothly into the depths of the drum by gravity, avoiding accumulation and blockage at the inlet. At this time, the operator aligns the discharge hose containing the hopper with the drum inlet, allowing the particles to enter the drum quickly and evenly. After a whole batch of particles has been fed, the operator clicks "Feeding Complete," and the tilting mechanism drives the rotating drum 1 back to the horizontal working position. Subsequently, the drive mechanism starts, causing the drum to rotate at a low speed for a period of time (e.g., 60 seconds) to allow the particles inside to be evenly distributed, preparing for the subsequent spray cleaning.

[0055] 2. Scrolling spray unit (cleaning unit)

[0056] After feeding and internal material balancing are completed, the equipment automatically enters the rolling spray mode. The drive mechanism continuously drives the rotating drum 1 to rotate at a preset stable speed. This speed is optimized to ensure that the particles are fully tumbled and evenly exposed to the cleaning solvent, without causing particle splashing or excessive wear due to excessive speed.

[0057] Simultaneously, the spray system is activated, and the dichloromethane spray pump 4 pumps dichloromethane (as a cleaning solvent) from the dichloromethane storage tank 5 to the dichloromethane nozzles 2 inside the drum. The nozzles 2 spray dichloromethane evenly onto the continuously tumbling PE particles in the form of semi-atomized droplets. Because dichloromethane has excellent solubility for white oil, it quickly penetrates into the particles, dissolving the white oil trapped within.

[0058] Combination Figure 3 The dichloromethane dissolved in the white oil forms a mixture, which drips under gravity from the filter holes of the drum (not shown) into the receiving tray below, and then collects in the mixture collection tank along the guide structure. The mixture collection tank is equipped with two level gauge interfaces 16, one above the other, with level gauges 12 connected to the collection tank interfaces 16. When the liquid level reaches the set high level, the level gauge 12 sends a signal to trigger the mixture pump 13 to start, pumping the mixture in the collection tank into the liquid separation tank 14 at the rear.

[0059] In liquid separation tank 14, the mixture is heated by utilizing the significant difference in boiling points between dichloromethane (boiling point approximately 39.8°C) and white oil (boiling point approximately 230°C). The dichloromethane is vaporized, while the white oil remains at the bottom of the tank. The vaporized dichloromethane vapor is cooled by a condenser and then recondenses into liquid, returning to the dichloromethane storage tank 5, thus achieving the recycling of the cleaning solvent. The separated white oil can be collected and returned to other production lines for reuse.

[0060] According to experimental data, a spraying process lasting approximately 3 hours can completely clean the white oil from the particles. After the preset spraying time is reached, the spraying system stops, the drum continues to rotate for a short period, then remains stationary for 5 minutes to allow any remaining mixture inside the drum to drip completely. This concludes the rolling spraying mode.

[0061] 3. Drying unit

[0062] After spraying, the system automatically switches to drying mode. The rotating drum 1 begins to rotate again to ensure the particles are heated evenly. Simultaneously, the heating device (i.e., the drying fan 9 and the air outlet duct heater 10) starts, blowing 40°C hot air into the air ducts on both sides of the drum to heat the exterior of the rotating drum 1. This temperature is higher than the boiling point of dichloromethane, sufficient to rapidly vaporize it, but far below the softening temperature of the PE particles, thus preventing damage to the particles.

[0063] Heat is transferred to the PE particles inside the drum wall. The residual dichloromethane on the particle surface and inside is heated and vaporized, forming exhaust gas within the shell 15. This exhaust gas is extracted by the exhaust gas duct 11 at the top and sent to the exhaust gas recovery equipment. The exhaust gas recovery equipment can employ a carbon fiber adsorption device, utilizing the high adsorption capacity of carbon fibers for dichloromethane vapor recovery. Saturated carbon fibers can be regenerated by introducing steam. The desorbed dichloromethane vapor and water vapor mixture is condensed and separated into oil and water, and the recovered dichloromethane can be returned to the storage tank 5 for recycling.

[0064] After the drying process lasts approximately 30 minutes, the dichloromethane on the particles is basically completely removed. The system automatically ends the drying mode and issues an audible and visual alarm to prompt the operator that the material can be discharged.

[0065] 4. Feeding unit

[0066] Upon receiving the drying completion signal, the operator, after preparing the collection bags, clicks "Start Discharge" on the control panel. The control program then drives the tilting mechanism (cylinder 3) to operate again, this time moving the feed end of the rotating drum 1 to a downward tilting position, for example, forming a downward tilting angle of 15-45 degrees. Under the action of gravity and the guide plates on the inner wall of the drum (not shown in the figure), the dried and clean PE particles will quickly and completely slide out of the drum and fall into the collection bags.

[0067] After all the particles have been completely emptied, the operator clicks "End Discharge," and the tilting mechanism drives the rotating drum 1 back to its initial horizontal position. This completes one PE particle degreasing cycle, and the equipment is ready for the next operation.

[0068] This invention provides both manual and automatic operating modes for the equipment. In daily production, the automatic mode is used; except for the initial feeding and discharging steps which require manual confirmation, the rest of the process is completed automatically by the control program. The manual mode is used for equipment debugging and maintenance, allowing for individual start-stop operations on any mechanism (such as the motor, fan, or pump), facilitating inspection and troubleshooting.

[0069] In summary, this utility model achieves automated, end-to-end processing of PE particles by organically integrating a rotating drum, drive mechanism, tilting mechanism, spraying system, and heating device within a closed housing 15. In particular, the coordinated operation of the drive mechanism and tilting mechanism, along with the ingenious connection via universal joints, solves the challenge of achieving both efficient horizontal rotation cleaning and convenient tilting feeding within the same equipment. The structure is rationally designed, and the operation is highly efficient and reliable.

[0070] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A PE particle deoiling device, characterized in that, include: case; A rotating drum, rotatable about its own axis, is disposed within the housing and has a feed end and a drive end; A drive mechanism is connected to the transmission end of the rotating drum and is used to drive the drum to rotate. A tilting mechanism is driven and connected to the feed end of the rotating drum to drive the feed end to swing up and down, so as to switch between an upward tilting position for feeding and a downward tilting position for discharging. The spraying system includes at least one nozzle fixedly disposed inside the rotating drum for spraying cleaning solvent onto PE particles tumbling inside the rotating drum. A heating device, located inside the housing, is used to heat the rotating drum to vaporize the cleaning solvent remaining on the PE particles.

2. The PE particle degreasing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes a motor, a gearbox connected to the motor, and a universal joint connecting the gearbox and the drive end of the rotating drum.

3. The PE particle degreasing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tilting mechanism is a cylinder, one end of which is hinged to the housing and the other end is hinged to the feed end of the rotating drum.

4. The PE particle degreasing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating device includes a drying fan and a heater, with the hot air outlet of the drying fan located inside the housing and facing the outer wall of the rotating drum.

5. The PE particle deoiling equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a mixture recovery system, which is located directly below the rotating drum and is used to collect the mixture flowing out of the rotating drum.

6. The PE particle degreasing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an exhaust gas recovery system, one end of which is connected to the upper part of the housing to collect the cleaning solvent vaporized during the drying process.

7. The PE particle degreasing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upward tilt position is when the feed end of the rotating drum forms an upward tilt angle of 15-45 degrees with the horizontal plane, and the downward tilt position is when the feed end of the rotating drum forms a downward tilt angle of 15-45 degrees with the horizontal plane.

8. The PE particle degreasing equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mixed liquor recovery system includes: A receiving tray for collecting the mixed liquid; A mixed liquid collection tank connected to the receiving tray; A liquid separation tank connected to the mixture collection tank; A liquid pump is installed between the liquid collection tank and the liquid separation tank; A collection tank level gauge for monitoring the liquid level in the mixed liquid collection tank.

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