Separating device and separation process

Abstract

The subject matter of the present invention relates to a separating device (1) for separating raw materials of a mixture of substances with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separating agent (12), in particular a mixture of substances with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separating agent (12), due to the different densities of the raw materials and the separating agent (12), comprising a storage container (10) which defines a storage space (11) in which a separating agent (12) for separating the raw materials can be stored, with a peripheral wall (13) which is impermeable to the separating agent (12) and a base (14) which is impermeable to the separating agent (12), wherein the base (14) has an outlet (15) with which the separating agent (12) and / or the raw materials can be discharged beyond the storage space (11), a movable sponge structure (20) having a peripheral wall (21),which defines an interior space (22), and in the interior space (22) insert units (23) adjacent to the peripheral wall (21), connected thereto and spaced apart from one another, wherein the insert units (23) are permeable to the separating agent (12) and the raw materials to be separated and thus have corresponding passages, wherein the foaming structure (20) is arranged in the storage container (10) and is arranged to be movable, in particular movable up and down, relative to the storage container (10) via an actuator (30) connected to the peripheral wall (21), and a conveying unit (40) with which the substance mixture can be conveyed into the interior space (22) of the foaming structure (20), so that both the substance mixture and the separating agent (12) are located in the interior space (22), wherein the peripheral wall (21) has at least one laterally projecting flow-through (24) around the interior space (22),through which the raw materials and the release agent (12) can be discharged from the interior (22) via the storage space (11), as well as a method and a system therefor.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a separation device for separating raw materials of a mixture of substances with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separating agent, in particular a mixture of substances with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separating agent, due to the density of the raw materials and the separating agent.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for separating raw materials of a mixture of substances with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separating agent, in particular a mixture of substances with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separating agent, due to the density of the raw materials and the separating agent.

[0003] Methods for separating raw materials from a mixture of substances by means of sponging are generally known from the state of the art.

[0004] From GB 2522599 A, a method for separating substances in a mixture of substances is known, comprising the steps of a) introducing a mixture of at least two substances of chemically different nature into a vessel; b) introducing a separation medium into the vessel; c) oscillating a centrally arranged deflection structure in the vessel at a first frequency and a first amplitude; and d) causing shaking in the vessel by the oscillating deflection structure, so as to lead to a separation of the at least two materials within the vessel.

[0005] From GB 2547899 A an oscillating separation system with baffles for separating materials in a material mixture is known, comprising: a container into which a mixture of at least two materials of chemically different type and a separation medium is introduced; a baffle structure arranged centrally within the container, the baffle structure being arranged to oscillate at a first frequency and a first amplitude to cause shaking in the container resulting in separation of the at least two materials within the container; characterized in that the baffle structure is jacketed along at least a length thereof, providing an upper opening and a lower opening at opposite ends of the jacketed baffle structure.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved separation device and an improved separation method which can be easily used and converted for different substance mixtures and separation agents, in particular where the density is relatively close.

[0007] These and other objects are achieved by a separation device according to claim 1, a separation method according to claim 8 and a system according to claim 10.

[0008] Advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims or are specified below in connection with the description of the figures.

[0009] The invention includes the technical teaching that a separation device for separating raw materials of a mixture of materials with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separation agent, in particular a mixture of materials with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separation agent, due to the different densities of both the raw materials and the separation agent, comprises: a storage container which defines a storage space in which a separation agent for separating the raw materials can be stored, with a peripheral wall impermeable to the separation agent and also to the raw and sedimentary materials and a base impermeable to the separation agent and also to the raw and sedimentary materials, wherein the base has an outlet with which the separation agent and / or the raw materials can be discharged beyond the storage space, a movable swell structure,comprising a peripheral wall which is impermeable to the separating agent and also to the raw and settling materials, which defines an interior space, and insert units arranged in the interior space, adjacent to the peripheral wall, connected to it and / or spaced apart from one another, wherein the insert units are permeable to the separating agent and the raw materials to be separated and thus have corresponding passages, wherein the swell structure is arranged in the storage container and is arranged to be movable relative to the storage container, in particular movable up and down, via an actuator connected to its peripheral wall, and a conveying unit with which the substance mixture can be conveyed into the interior space of the swell structure, so that both the substance mixture and the separating agent are located in the interior space, wherein the peripheral wall of the swell structure has at least one laterally projecting flow around the interior space,through which the raw materials and the release agent can be drained from the interior via the storage space.

[0010] The separation device is designed to separate raw materials from a mixture of materials by means of agitation. This means that the mixture of materials is fed into a separating agent, oscillated within it by means of a sagging structure, and moved in the direction of gravity or counter to gravity based on density differences between the raw materials. The separating agent is preferably in liquid form and is preferably water or an aqueous solution.

[0011] The release agent is stored in a storage container, more precisely in its storage chamber. The storage container can have any desired shape. Preferably, the storage container or storage chamber is essentially cuboid-shaped. The storage container has a bottom and a peripheral wall. Opposite the bottom, the storage container is preferably open. In other embodiments, a lid can be provided. The bottom and peripheral wall are impermeable to the release agent, here preferably water or an aqueous solution.

[0012] A foaming structure is provided in the storage chamber. This foaming structure comprises a peripheral wall that defines an interior space. Insertion units are arranged in the interior space. The insert units are connected to the peripheral wall, in particular firmly connected, so that the insert units move with the peripheral wall. In another embodiment, the insert units are loosely or detachably connected to the peripheral wall. The insert units themselves are spaced apart from one another. The distance between adjacent insert units is preferably equidistant, but can also be designed differently depending on the application. The insert units have through-openings or passages so that raw materials of the substance mixture located in the release agent can move through them against the direction of gravity or with the direction of gravity.This movement is supported by the oscillating movement of the foaming structure.

[0013] The oscillation of the flotation device or flotation structure is achieved by one or more actuators. The actuator is connected to the peripheral wall. The actuator is preferably designed as a crank drive. The actuator is arranged at at least two different locations on the peripheral wall for improved oscillation movement. A central axis for oscillation can thus be eliminated. By arranging the actuator on the peripheral wall, the available area for separating the raw materials is larger than, for example, with separation devices that have a central axis running through the insertion units.

[0014] The peripheral wall of the foaming structure divides the reservoir and the interior space, making this division advantageous for generating additional flow of the release agent. The flow required for separation can be generated via the location of the release agent supply—either via the interior space, the reservoir, or both.

[0015] The apertures, through-openings, or passages of the insertion units are adapted to the size of the raw materials in the mixture. The size of the apertures is selected so that the raw materials can move and flow through them. Preferably, the apertures are at least 10 percent larger than the largest size of the raw materials, based on the largest cross-sectional area. The apertures preferably have a circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes can also be used.

[0016] In order to convey the substance mixture into the storage container, a corresponding conveying unit is provided. The substance mixture is moved into the interior via the conveying unit. The substance mixture is moved into a central region of the sponging structure, preferably between insertion units that are arranged approximately centrally. Accordingly, the conveying unit has a feed section that leads into the corresponding region. The conveying unit is preferably designed as a stuffing screw or the like. The substance mixture is preferably in the form of ground plastic. The ground plastic is moved into the region of the sponging structure via the stuffing screw. Feeding preferably takes place from the open side of the storage space. The sponging structure is preferably arranged centrally in the storage space so that the peripheral wall of the storage container and that of the sponging structure are approximately equally spaced from one another.

[0017] The peripheral wall around the interior space has at least one laterally projecting flow passage. The flow passage is arranged in such a way that a raw material with the release agent can be drained away. In this respect, the outflow is located in an area intended for a foamed raw material. The flow passage runs from the interior space, with which it is fluidically connected, to the outside of the storage space. This means that the flow passage is not fluidically connected to the storage space. The flow passage passes through the storage space. For this purpose, the flow passage can penetrate the peripheral wall of the storage space. In other embodiments, the flow passage can bypass the peripheral wall. For this purpose, the flow passage can be designed as a pipe or as a hose or the like. Accordingly, the flow passage can be designed as an elastically flexible hose or as a rigid and solid pipe.The passage preferably has a valve or other control unit to control the flow through the passage accordingly. In one embodiment, the passage can be designed to be variable or changeable in terms of its position. In other embodiments, the passage is fixed in one position. At least one of the raw materials, together with the release agent, can be discharged from the interior space via the passage beyond the storage space.

[0018] In one embodiment, the bottom of the storage container is tapered and / or funnel-shaped. Furthermore, or optionally, it is preferably provided that the outlet of the storage container is arranged at an end remote from the peripheral wall, preferably at a lowest point of the storage container. Via the funnel shape, sinking components of the substance mixture can sink along the wall to the lowest point in the direction of gravity. There they can be drained outwards by means of an outlet which is fluidically connected to the storage space there. Via the outlet, sinking components and separating agent can be guided to a screening device outside the storage container and separated from one another there. The screening device is preferably a treatment plant. The sinking components can be filtered out.The separating agent filtered from the sinking components can be fed to the storage tank or the interior via the treatment plant and appropriate conveying equipment.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the storage container has at least one further drain which projects outwards at an upper region of the peripheral wall of the storage container, remote from the bottom, in order to drain the separating agent and / or the raw materials beyond the storage space. The raw material separated from the mixture of substances, which has accumulated in the annular space between the peripheral wall of the storage container and the swell structure, can be drained out of the storage space via the further drain. Preferably, the raw material / sediment drained therethrough is fed together with the separating agent to the processing plant. The raw material / sediment is separated from the separating agent using a sieve. The separating agent separated from the raw material / sediment is fed to the storage space and / or the interior.By adding the release agent, a flow is generated in the storage container, which improves the separation of the raw materials from the mixture.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the processing system is provided outside the storage space, with which the separating agent discharged via the at least one flow and the at least one outlet can be separated from the respective raw material / sediment discharged with it and fed back into the storage space or the interior. The processing system comprises a screening unit for each inlet (outlet and / or flow), with which the discharged substances can be separated from the separating agent. For each inlet, a raw material is provided in the separating agent due to the previous separation. In one embodiment, the inlets (outlet / flow) can be adjusted in their (height) position on the respective peripheral wall. In another embodiment, at least one of the inlets / outlets / throughlets is fixed. In particular, the outlet at the lowest point of the storage container in the direction of gravity does not require any height adjustment.After flowing through the respective screening unit, the filtered separating agent is fed to the storage room or the interior via pump units or other conveying units.

[0021] For this purpose, one embodiment provides for inlets that are fluidically connected to the processing system and / or another separating agent source, with the inlets supplying the separating agent to the interior and / or storage space on the respective open side. The supply can be effected in any desired manner. Preferably, the supply is effected via nozzles in order to generate a flow through the supply in the storage space or the interior.

[0022] Another embodiment provides for the inlets to be adjustable and / or controllable so that the release agent flows either to the interior space or to the storage space, thereby generating a corresponding flow. Thus, when supplied to the interior space, a flow can be generated through the interior space toward the bottom of the storage container. This flow is then directed counter to the direction of gravity in the area between the two peripheral walls, essentially creating buoyancy outside the interior space. By supplying the separating agent from outside the interior space into the storage container, this flow direction is reversed.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the insertion units are designed as perforated plates with corresponding through-openings, so that the raw materials in the release agent, depending on their density, can move in different directions and accumulate in different areas as the foaming structure moves through the insertion units. The through-openings are suitable for the passage of the raw materials. Because no central axis is provided, the middle area of the perforated plates can also be used for the passage of the raw materials. The insertion device preferably has a rectangular cross-section and is thus easy to manufacture.

[0024] The invention also includes the technical teaching that in a method for separating raw materials of a mixture of substances with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separating agent, in particular a mixture of substances with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separating agent, due to the different densities of both the raw materials and the separating agent, in particular with a separating device described here, the steps are comprised: providing a separating agent in a storage space of a storage container, conveying a mixture of substances with raw materials to be separated into an interior of a sponge structure which is separated from the storage space by a peripheral wall, moving the sponge structure,so that the raw materials separate from each other in the separating agent due to their different densities and move away from each other and accumulate and drain the raw materials accumulated in different areas by means of through-flows or outflows.

[0025] A release agent is provided in a storage container. The release agent is preferably in liquid form. The density of the release agent is adjusted to the raw materials to be separated from the mixture, or more precisely, to their densities. As a rule, the densities of the release agent and the raw materials to be separated are close together, particularly in the range of less than or equal to 20 percent difference in density (g / cm 3), more preferably less than 10 percent and most preferably less than 5 percent. The release agent is preferably in the form of water or an aqueous solution. The raw materials are preferably plastics, for example PE or PP. In addition to the raw materials, other sinking components can also be present in the mixture of substances. In the storage container, a swell structure is provided through which flow can occur from top to bottom or vice versa (in the direction of gravity or against it). This forms an interior space in which insert units are arranged. The mixture of substances is conveyed into this area via conveying means, preferably into a central area of the swell structure. In order to separate the raw materials of the mixture of substances, the swell structure is oscillated, which supports the separation of the raw materials. The raw materials can sink in the direction of gravity or float up against the direction of gravity through corresponding openings in the insert units.The decisive factors here are the densities of the raw materials and the release agent, as well as the flow generated in the storage tank. After a certain period of time, during which the mixture of substances has been subjected to oscillation and flow, the raw materials have separated from one another and accumulated in different areas. From these spaced-apart areas, the raw materials are drained individually out of the storage tank via separate drains. The drained raw materials, including the release agent, are each fed to a screening unit, where the release agent is then separated from the raw material. The filtered release agent is then returned to the interior or storage space, as appropriate. The movement of the swell structure is controlled by an actuator. This can be controlled via a corresponding control unit as required.

[0026] In a further embodiment, it is accordingly provided that the release agent discharged with the raw materials is processed and fed back into the interior space and / or the storage space, such that a flow is generated by the feed. The flow can be changed via the feed line. The flow can thus be changed by the location of the feed. In one embodiment, the feed takes place exclusively in the interior space. In another embodiment, the feed takes place exclusively in the storage space. The storage space is defined in such a way that the interior space is excluded from this. Thus, in the latter case, the feed takes place in the annular region between the two peripheral walls. The feed from the processing system preferably takes place via nozzles.Depending on the desired flow pattern, these can be modified to introduce the separating agent into the interior and / or into the space between the two peripheral walls. In further developments, additional power generation devices can be arranged in the storage space and / or in the interior.

[0027] Last but not least, the present invention includes the technical teaching that in a system for carrying out the method described here by means of a device described here, water or an aqueous solution is provided as the release agent and the raw materials of the substance mixture are each a different plastic material, preferably PE, PP and a further sinking material.

[0028] Further measures improving the invention are specified in the subclaims or emerge from the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is schematically illustrated in the figures. All features and / or advantages emerging from the claims, the description, or the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangement, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. In the figures, identical or similar components are designated by identical or similar reference numerals.

[0029] It shows Fig. 1 schematically shows in a sectional side view an embodiment of a separating device and Fig. 2 schematically shows in a sectional side view another embodiment of a separating device.

[0030] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show two embodiments of a separating device 1 or its components or parts, wherein the same reference numerals designate the same or similar components.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of an embodiment of the separation device 1. The separation device 1 is designed to separate raw materials from a mixture of materials with at least two different raw materials to be separated, using a separation agent 12. The separation of the raw materials occurs due to the different densities of the raw materials and the separation agent 12. In particular, the separation device 1 is designed to separate a mixture of materials with at least two different plastic raw materials that are located in the separation agent 12. The separation device 1 comprises a storage container 10 that defines a storage space 11 in which the separation agent 12 for separating the raw materials (not shown here) can be stored.

[0032] The storage container 10 has a peripheral wall 13 impermeable to the release agent 12—and also to the raw and / or settling materials—and a bottom 14 impermeable to the release agent 12—and also to the raw and / or settling materials. The bottom 14 protrudes transversely from the peripheral wall 13, preferably at an angle of at least 80°, more preferably at at least a right angle, and more preferably at an angle of more than 90°. A drain 15 leads from the bottom 14, through which the release agent 12 and / or the raw materials can be drained via or out of the storage space 11.

[0033] Preferably, the drain 15 is located at a depression or lowest point of the floor 14.

[0034] The separating device 1 further comprises a movable swell structure 20. By means of the swell structure 20, the raw materials can be swelled, i.e., moved opposite to the base 14 in the separating medium 12. The swell structure 20 has a peripheral wall 21 that is impermeable to the separating medium 12—and also to the raw and / or settled materials—and that surrounds or defines an interior space 22. The swell structure 20 is designed without a base or lid, i.e., it has no base or lid. The peripheral wall 21 thus forms a type of tube. Insertion units 23 are provided in the interior space 22, which are usually adjacent to the peripheral wall 21 (shown only schematically adjacent here). The insert units 23 are connected to the peripheral wall 21, so that they also execute any movement of the peripheral wall 21. The plug-in units 23 are arranged at a distance from each other.The insert units 23 are designed to be permeable to the separating agent 12 and the raw materials to be separated, and thus have corresponding passages. For example, the insert units 23 are designed as perforated plates.

[0035] The foaming structure 20, which is arranged in the storage container 10, is movable relative to the storage container 10, in particular, up and down, via an actuator 30 connected to the peripheral wall 21. Thus, the foaming structure 20 and the storage container 10 are not (necessarily) rigidly connected to one another.

[0036] In addition, the separation device 1 comprises a conveying unit 40, with which the substance mixture can be conveyed into the interior 22 of the foaming structure 20. Thus, during operation, both the substance mixture and the separating agent 12 are located in the interior 22. The conveying unit 40 is designed, for example, as a conveyor or stuffing screw or the like.

[0037] The peripheral wall 21 around the interior space 22 has at least one laterally projecting flow 24 through which the raw materials and the release agent 12 can be discharged from the interior space 22 via the storage space 11. The raw materials and / or the release agent 12 can thus be transported from the interior space 22 directly into an external environment without contact with the storage space 11. For example, in the external environment of the storage container 10 there is a sieve separation (not shown here) with one or more sieves. The release agent 12 discharged from the interior space 22 via the flow 24 and / or the raw materials discharged from the interior space 22 can be passed through these. Due to their different densities, the raw materials in the interior space 22 are each located at a different level or at a different distance from the floor 14. In Fig. 1, a single flow 24 is provided. This fluidically connects the interior 22 with the external environment, in this case a screen separation. The flow 24 is arranged such that only the more highly swollen raw materials (with respect to the direction of gravity), but not the less highly swollen raw materials, possibly together with the separation agent 12, are conveyed through the flow 24. Preferably, the lighter raw material is flushed into the screen separation through the flow 24 together with the separation agent 12, which is preferably a liquid, for example water. The lighter raw material has, for example, a density of less than or equal to 1.1 g / cm 3 The heavier raw material preferably has a density greater than 1.1 g / cm 3 The lighter raw material is, for example, a thermoplastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (abbreviated to ABS). The flow 24 is located in the Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment above the topmost plug-in unit 23.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the release agent 12, here water, is filled into the reservoir 10 (shown by arrow 60). A pump or other conveying means is provided for this purpose. The release agent 12 can be filled into the reservoir 10 next to the foaming structure 20, as shown in Fig. 1, or at least partially through the foaming structure 20 into the storage container 10, since the foaming structure 20 is designed without a bottom. The mixture of materials with the raw materials is conveyed into the foaming structure 20, more precisely into the interior space 22, via the conveyor unit 40. In Fig. 1, a mixture of substances with a raw material portion to be separated and a sediment portion or a sediment fraction is conveyed into the interior 20. In Fig. 2, a mixture of substances with two raw material components to be separated and a sediment component or a sediment fraction is conveyed into the interior space 20.

[0039] For two raw materials to be separated, the design according to Fig. 2 is provided. Fig. 2 shows schematically in a sectional side view the other embodiment of the separating device 1. This differs essentially from the embodiment according to Fig. 1, in that two throughflows 24 are provided laterally on the peripheral wall 21. The throughflows 24 are arranged at different levels and thus at different distances from the base 14. The lighter raw material (portion), which has the lower density, is discharged to the external environment via the throughflow 24 located at a higher level, i.e. the throughflow further away from the base 14. The heavier raw material (portion), which has the higher density, is discharged to the external environment via the throughflow 24 located at a lower level, i.e. the throughflow further away from the base 14. The settling fraction is discharged via the outflow 15 in each case.

[0040] To separate the separating agent 12, in this case the water, from the sediment fraction and / or the raw materials, it is passed through the sieve separation. This allows the separating agent 12 to be stored in a water reservoir for further use and fed back into the separation device 1. The raw materials or the sediment fraction can be transported separately from the separating agent 12 to a suitable storage facility or for further processing.

[0041] In Fig. 1, the only passage 24 is arranged between the uppermost insertion device and the level of the separating means 12, wherein the passage 24 or more precisely the inlet opening of the passage 24 is arranged in a height direction (direction of gravity or opposite) spaced between the insertion device 23 and the surface level of the separating means 12. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the inlet opening of the upper flow 24 is arranged approximately at the level of the separating means 12 and the inlet opening of the lower flow 24 is arranged between the inlet opening of the upper flow 24 and the uppermost insertion device 23. The embodiment according to Fig. 2 is particularly suitable for the separation—more precisely, a density separation—of release agent, in this case water, and a PP raw material component and a PE raw material component. PP has a density of approximately less than or equal to 0.92 g / cm 3 and PE of less than or equal to 0.96 g / cm 3 .

[0042] For the (density) separation of the raw material portion or portions in the release agent 12, after the release agent 12 and the substance mixture have been added, the respective raw material is sponged. This is done by means of the sponged structure 20. The peripheral wall 21, to which the insertion devices 23 are connected, is moved. The movement is carried out by means of one actuator 30 or more actuators 30. These are coupled to the peripheral wall 21. The movement is preferably designed as a lifting and lowering movement. The peripheral wall 21 is moved up and down in an oscillating manner via the actuators 30. The raw material portions are sponged, and the suspended matter sinks accordingly. Since the raw materials and suspended matter cannot penetrate the peripheral wall 21, but only the insertion devices 23, the raw materials and suspended matter also only move up and down.The materials (raw materials and sediment) are each gradually conveyed through the passages in the feed devices 23 to the next adjacent feed device 23. This movement continues until the raw materials are suspended and the sediment is lowered. The raw materials are then discharged with the separating agent 12 through the corresponding passages 24. The sediment is then discharged through the outlet 15 with the separating agent 12. The separating agent 12 and the raw materials or sediment are separated via the sieve separation and forwarded accordingly. The respective passage 24 can be flexible so that it can follow the relative movement of the suspension structure 20 relative to the storage container 10. List of reference symbols 1 separating device 10 storage containers 11 Storage room 12 release agents 13 peripheral wall 14 Floor 15 Drain 20 Sponge structure 21 peripheral wall 22 Interior 23 Insertion device 24 Flow 30 Actuator 40 conveyor unit 60 Fill release agent QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] GB 2522599 A

[0004] GB 2547899 A

[0005]

Claims

[1] Separating device (1) for separating raw materials of a mixture of substances with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separating agent (12), in particular a mixture of substances with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separating agent (12), due to the different density of the raw materials and the separating agent (12), comprising a storage container (10) defining a storage space (11) in which a separating agent (12) for separating the raw materials can be stored, with a peripheral wall (13) impermeable to the separating agent (12) and a base (14) impermeable to the separating agent (12), wherein the base (14) has a drain (15) with which the separating agent (12) and / or the raw materials can be drained beyond the storage space (11), a movable foaming structure (20) having a peripheral wall (21) impermeable to the release agent (12) and defining an interior space (22), and in the interior space (22) adjacent to the peripheral wall (21), connected thereto and / or spaced apart from each other, wherein the insert units (23) are permeable to the separating agent (12) and the raw materials to be separated and thus have corresponding passages, wherein the sponge structure (20) is arranged in the storage container (10) and is arranged to be movable, in particular movable up and down, relative to the storage container (10) via an actuator (30) connected to the peripheral wall (21), and a conveying unit (40) with which the substance mixture can be conveyed into the interior (22) of the foaming structure (20), so that both the substance mixture and the release agent (12) are located in the interior (22), wherein the peripheral wall (21) around the interior space (22) has at least one laterally projecting flow (24) through which the raw materials and the release agent (12) can be discharged from the interior space (22) via the storage space (11). [2] Separating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the bottom (14) is tapered and / or funnel-shaped and the outflow (15) of the storage container (10) is arranged at an end remote from the peripheral wall (13), preferably at a lowest point of the storage container (10). [3] Separating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the storage container (10) has at least one further drain (15) which projects outwards at an upper region of the peripheral wall (13) located remote from the bottom (14) in order to drain the release agent (12) and / or the raw materials beyond the storage space (11). [4] Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by that a treatment plant is provided outside the storage space (11), with which the separating agent (12) discharged via the flow (24) and / or the at least one outlet (15) can be separated from the respective (raw) material discharged and can be fed back into the storage space (11) or the interior space (22). [5] Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized by that inflows are provided which are fluidically connected to the processing plant and / or another separating agent source, wherein the inflows supply the separating agent (12) on the respective open side to the interior space (22) and / or the storage space (11). [6] Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the inflows are adjustable and / or controllable so that a separating agent flow occurs either to the interior space (22) or to the storage space (11), so that a corresponding flow can be generated. [7] Separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the insertion units (23) are designed as perforated plates with corresponding through-openings, so that the raw materials in the release agent (12) can move in different directions from one another and accumulate in different areas depending on the density when the sponge structure (20) moves through the insertion units (23). [8] Method for separating raw materials of a mixture of substances with at least two different raw materials to be separated, by means of a separating agent (12), in particular a mixture of substances with at least two different plastic raw materials which are located in the separating agent (12), due to the different density of the raw materials and the separating agent (12), in particular with a separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, comprising the steps: Providing a separating agent (12) in a storage space (11) of a storage container (10), conveying a mixture of substances with raw materials to be separated into an interior space (22) of a foaming structure (20) separated from the storage space (11) by a peripheral wall (21), moving the foaming structure (20), so that the raw materials separate from one another in the separating agent (12) due to their different densities and move away from one another and accumulate and discharge the raw materials accumulated in different areas by means of through-flow or through-flow. Outflows (24.15). [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized by that the release agent (12) discharged with the raw materials is processed and fed back into the interior (22) and / or the storage space (11) so that a flow is generated by the feeding. [10] System for carrying out the method according to one of the preceding claims 8 or 9 by means of a separating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, wherein water or an aqueous solution is provided as the separating agent (12) and the raw materials of the substance mixture are at least one different plastic material each, preferably PE, PP and / or a further sinking material.

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