Device for crushing and / or processing material, arrangement, method, fiber material, use of the fiber material and separation device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, with a housing in which a work area for crushing / processing material is provided, wherein the work area is limited by a bottom area and a surrounding side wall, a feeding arrangement for feeding material into the working area, which is provided on a top side of the housing, a working shaft extending vertically in the working space, which is rotatably mounted on the housing about its longitudinal axis, wherein impact elements are provided on the working shaft to act on the material introduced into the working space, and Drive means for driving the working shaft. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement and a method.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an arrangement for comminuting and / or processing material, in particular composite material. The invention also relates to a method for comminuting and / or processing material, in particular composite material. In addition, the invention relates to a fibrous material and the use of a fibrous material. Finally, the invention relates to a separation device.

[0003] Devices for shredding and / or processing materials, such as cross-flow shredders, are used to shred a variety of objects so that the different materials contained within them can subsequently be separated. A key application is the shredding of household electrical appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and the like.

[0004] For shredding, the materials are placed in a work chamber where impact elements, such as chains, rotate around a vertical axis, thus impacting the material. The longer the materials remain in the work chamber, the longer the impact elements act upon them, and the smaller the resulting pieces.

[0005] It has been found that cross-flow shredders are not only suitable for shredding electrical appliances, but also for processing and recovering fibers for papermaking or the production of insulation materials. Such a process is known from EP 2 788 544 B1. In this process, waste paper is fed into a cross-flow shredder and shredded there by means of impact elements, in particular chains. The shredding occurs not only through the direct impact of the chains on the waste paper, but also through secondary impact processes between the waste paper fragments. The advantage of this process for shredding and processing waste paper is that the processing can be carried out essentially dry, i.e., with only a low moisture content. The fibers are not damaged as much as in other processing methods in which the waste paper is dissolved in liquid.This allows for a higher recycling rate.

[0006] Such devices and processes have generally proven effective for processing and shredding waste paper. However, there is also a need to process materials that do not consist primarily of waste paper, but also contain other materials, such as metal foils or plastic components. An example of such composite materials are the Tetra Pak brand packaging used for beverage containers. Such composite materials can also be referred to as food or beverage composite materials, packaging materials, or packaging. These packages are typically multi-layered and contain layers of paper, plastic, and aluminum. Reusing such packaging materials after use has proven difficult.Often, such materials are sent to a waste incineration plant, which is associated with significant pollutant emissions and precludes reuse.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an alternative device, arrangement and method for crushing and / or processing materials, which are particularly suitable for composite materials, preferably for recycling composite materials, and thus allow the recovery of materials, preferably fibrous material with a favorable property profile, for further use.

[0008] This problem is solved according to a first aspect of the present invention by a device of the type mentioned at the outset, comprising a housing in which a working chamber for crushing / processing material is provided, wherein the working chamber is preferably limited by a bottom area and a circumferential side wall, a feeding arrangement for feeding material into the working chamber, which is provided on a top side of the housing, a working shaft extending vertically in the working chamber, which is rotatably mounted on the housing about its longitudinal axis, wherein impact elements for acting on the material introduced into the working chamber are provided on the working shaft, and drive means for driving the working shaft, wherein bottom outlet openings and / or side outlet openings are formed in the bottom area of ​​the working chamber.

[0009] This design is based on the fundamental principle of providing outlet openings at the bottom of the work area and / or lateral outlet openings in the side wall of the work chamber, through which the shredded material can leave the work chamber. This means that shredded material can leave the work chamber primarily due to gravity through the outlet openings at the bottom and / or due to centrifugal force through the lateral outlet openings.

[0010] The shredding device according to the invention can have both bottom and side outlet openings. It is also conceivable to have embodiments in which only bottom or side outlet openings are provided. The following description of the outlet openings applies to embodiments in which both bottom and side outlet openings are provided, as well as embodiments in which only bottom or only side outlet openings are provided.

[0011] If the shredding device has both bottom and side outlet openings, the device preferably has a discharge chamber into which the bottom outlet openings open, and a separate discharge chamber into which the side outlet openings open, so that shredded / processed material leaving the working chamber through the side outlet openings can be discharged from the device separately from the shredded / processed material leaving the working chamber through the bottom outlet openings.

[0012] This design is based on the idea of ​​separating material during the shredding process itself, separating material that leaves the work area primarily due to gravity from material that leaves the work area laterally due to centrifugal force. Such a separation is particularly useful with used beverage cartons, for example, to separate closures, such as those made of plastic, from the rest of the packaging. During the shredding process, when the beverage carton is introduced into the work area, parts of the plastic closure move downwards due to gravity, while other parts of the beverage carton are agitated by the rotating agitators and preferably leave the work area laterally through the side discharge openings.

[0013] Alternatively, both lateral and bottom-side outlet openings can lead into a common discharge area.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom and / or side outlet openings are designed as screen openings. In other words, a large number of relatively small screen openings are provided in the bottom area or on the side walls, through which the shredded material can leave the working chamber. Preferably, the individual bottom screen openings have a larger open cross-section than the side screen openings. The open cross-section of the bottom screen openings can be at least 1.5 times larger than the open cross-section of the side screen openings, and in particular at least twice as large. According to a preferred embodiment, the open cross-section of the individual bottom screen openings is at most 5 times larger than the open cross-section of the individual side screen openings, and in particular at most 4 times as large.The open cross-section of the individual bottom-side sieve openings is particularly preferred to be 3 times larger than the open cross-section of the individual side sieve openings.

[0015] The bottom outlet openings and / or the side outlet openings can be formed at least partially, and in particular completely, by expanded metal mesh with openings that are especially diamond-shaped. Expanded metal mesh consists of grid-like structures with openings. These are preferably manufactured by staggered cuts without material loss, while simultaneously stretching or deforming a sheet of metal. Welded versions of expanded metal mesh are also conceivable. This results in a mesh-like structure with a multitude of openings. Preferably, the individual meshes of the grid-like material, which is made from sheets or strips, are neither woven nor welded. The expanded metal mesh preferably does not have a flat surface, but rather projects upwards or downwards in the area of ​​the contact points or mesh points, so that sharp material edges may be present. Preferably, the expanded metal mesh has substantially diamond-shaped openings.It has been found that, particularly when recirculating already shredded material containing metal components, further shredding in a shredding device, especially a cross-flow shredder, occurs less through the direct impact of impact elements, such as chains, but rather practically through the shearing of individual fragments against the expanded metal mesh, where sharp edges protrude into the working area of ​​the shredding device due to the manufacturing process. In this way, efficient further shredding, especially of recirculated material, can take place.

[0016] It has been found that components of composite materials, in particular, can be cleanly separated into individual components through contact with expanded metal mesh. For example, plastic films, such as PE films, are effectively separated from paper or aluminum layers by contact with expanded metal mesh; they are practically torn or sheared off. In other words, the various components of the composite material, which preferably form different layers, are efficiently separated from one another by contact with expanded metal mesh. This allows for a high degree of purity in the separation of different fractions into individual pieces or scraps.

[0017] The expanded metal mesh can have essentially diamond-shaped openings. Preferably, the diamond-shaped openings have a length of at least 20 mm, in particular at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 45 mm, and / or a length of at most 500 mm or 100 mm, in particular at most 80 mm, more preferably at most 70 mm, and most preferably a height of 62 mm. The diamond-shaped openings can have a width of at least 10 mm, in particular at least 15 mm, more preferably at least 20 mm, and / or a width of at most 200 mm or 40 mm, in particular at most 35 mm, more preferably at most 30 mm, and most preferably a width of approximately 25 mm. If lateral outlet openings are provided, the diamond-shaped openings can extend vertically in their longitudinal direction, i.e., in the vertical direction.

[0018] The expanded metal mesh can have square openings. The length or width of the square openings can be at least 20 mm, in particular at least 25 mm, preferably at least 30 mm, and / or at most 60 mm, in particular at most 55 mm, preferably at most 50 mm, and most preferably about 40 mm or 42 mm. Alternatively, the expanded metal mesh can also have openings with a circular cross-section. The diameter of the circular openings is preferably at least 15 mm, in particular at least 25 mm, more preferably at least 30 mm, and / or at most 60 mm, in particular at most 52 mm, more preferably at most 45 mm, and most preferably about 40 mm. The expanded metal mesh forming the bottom openings can be identical to the expanded metal mesh forming the side outlet openings.It is also possible to implement designs in which the bottom outlet openings are formed by different expanded metal sheets than the side outlet openings. It is also conceivable to provide different expanded metal sheets for sections of the bottom outlet openings. Similarly, different expanded metal sheets can also be provided for sections of the side outlet openings.

[0019] The bottom and / or side outlet openings can be at least partially, and in particular completely, slotted. Preferably, such slotted side outlet openings extend vertically. The individual slotted outlet openings can have a width of at least 1 mm, in particular at least 2 mm, preferably at least 2.5 mm, and / or at most 15 mm, in particular at most 10 mm, preferably at most 6 mm, and most preferably 3 mm. The slotted outlet openings can have a length or height of at least 5 mm, in particular at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm, and / or at most 50 mm, in particular at most 40 mm, preferably at most 30 mm, and most preferably 20 mm.It has been found that when using such slotted outlet openings during the comminution of composite materials, plastic-containing components and / or aluminum-containing components and / or a printed, usually wet-strength, outer layer are retained with a high degree of reliability, while only cellulose-containing components pass through the slotted outlet openings. In particular, recirculation through such slotted outlet openings can yield a very pure cellulose fraction, which can be used especially for papermaking, and preferably for the production of cardboard.

[0020] Accordingly, a device designed in this way for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, can be used in such a way that, in particular by means of recirculation, a very pure cellulose fraction can be obtained after leaving the working space through the slotted outlet openings, whereas foreign substances can be regularly removed from the inside of the sieve basket.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the open cross-section of the individual bottom-side sieve or outlet openings can be at least 60 mm. 2 and / or at most 2400 mm 2 The open cross-section of the individual lateral sieve or outlet openings can be at least 20 mm. 2 and / or at most 800 mm 2The size of the individual sieve or outlet openings determines how long parts of the material remain in the working chamber and to what size they are reduced. The smaller the sieve or outlet openings, the smaller the parts that leave the working chamber through them.

[0022] Preferably, the lateral discharge openings are arranged in a ring-shaped circumferential pattern. They preferably extend over substantially the entire height of the working chamber. It is also conceivable that they extend only over a portion of the height of the working chamber, in particular over at least 40% of the height, and preferably at least 60%. A ring-shaped circumferential design of the lateral screen openings achieves a high discharge rate and thus enables a high material throughput. The lateral discharge openings preferably extend in an upper section of the working chamber, so that they are spaced away from the bottom area. This allows for effective separation of material particles.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom-side outlet openings extend over the entire floor area of ​​the work chamber. This also results in a high material throughput.

[0024] Furthermore, the bottom outlet openings can lead downwards into an outlet hopper. A discharge pipe can be connected to this, through which the shredded material that has left the working chamber through the bottom outlet openings can be transported further.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a sieve basket inserted into the housing, forming the working chamber. An annular space is formed between the sieve basket and the housing for discharging the shredded / processed material. Preferably, the lateral discharge openings open into this annular space. In other words, the impact elements move within a sieve basket into which the material to be shredded / processed is introduced by the feed arrangement. Thus, when the shredded / processed material falls below a certain size, it can exit the sieve basket downwards into a discharge chamber at the bottom or outwards into the annular space formed between the sieve basket and the housing. The annular space can therefore serve as the discharge chamber into which the lateral discharge openings open.

[0026] The sieve basket can have a polygonal or circular cross-section.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the sieve basket comprises a base section, preferably designed as a base plate, in which the bottom outlet openings are located, and a circumferential side wall projecting upwards from the base section, in which the lateral outlet openings are preferably formed. In other words, the sieve basket forms the base section and the circumferential side wall. The side wall preferably extends over the entire height of the housing, so that the working space is limited on all sides and no unshredded or unprocessed material can enter the discharge chambers. Specifically, the bottom outlet openings can extend over the entire base plate of the sieve basket.

[0028] To simplify maintenance, the side wall of the sieve basket can comprise several side wall segments that are movable between an operating position, in which the sieve basket is closed around its circumference, and a maintenance position, in which the working space is accessible from the outside. Specifically, two adjacent side wall segments can be pivoted around a common pivot axis, which extends vertically, between the operating position and the maintenance position. Appropriate locking devices can be provided to fix the side wall segments in their operating position, in which the working space is completely closed around its circumference.

[0029] To optimize the comminution or processing of the material being fed into the sieve, impact bars can be arranged on the sieve basket, particularly on the side wall or in the base area, preferably on a base plate, projecting into the working space. This design is based on the idea of ​​creating defined impact surfaces against which the moving particles, fragments, or the like can exert impact forces to optimize the comminution / processing. Adjustment devices can also be provided to move the impact bars into or out of the working space.

[0030] Impact bars can also be mounted outside the sieve basket and feature toothed projections that extend through the sieve openings in the bottom and / or side wall into the sieve basket. These toothed projections improve the comminution / breakdown of the material inside the sieve basket. Mounting the impact bars outside the sieve basket allows for easy replacement without having to open the sieve basket. The design of the toothed projections can vary depending on the material being processed.

[0031] The working shaft can be arranged either eccentrically or concentrically to the center of the cross-section of the sieve basket.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, the impact elements provided on the working shaft can be designed to project radially outwards into the working chamber when the working shaft is rotating, in order to act on the material introduced into the working chamber. Preferably, the impact elements are spaced apart from each other vertically and / or circumferentially on the working shaft. Specifically, this means that the impact elements can be mounted at different heights on the working shaft in order to act on the introduced material in a distributed manner across the height of the working chamber. This results in particularly effective comminution or processing of the material.

[0033] In a specific embodiment, at least one ring-shaped support element can be provided, to which at least one striking element is attached, each support element being rotationally and axially fixed to the working shaft. To mount several striking elements vertically spaced apart from one another on the working shaft, several vertically spaced support elements are preferably mounted on the working shaft.

[0034] In a further embodiment, several, in particular exactly two, impact elements can be attached to each ring-shaped support element, evenly distributed around the circumference. A ring-shaped support element surrounding the working shaft provides a way to quickly and effectively replace worn impact elements. At the same time, it allows for rapid exchange of the impact elements when different materials are to be crushed or processed, and different impact elements are particularly suitable for this purpose. An even distribution of the impact elements around the circumference prevents imbalances and reduces the mechanical stress on the working shaft and its bearings.

[0035] Preferably, each annular support element and the working shaft are connected in a rotationally fixed manner by means of keyed connections. This prevents slippage of the support elements and the impact elements attached to them. Furthermore, at least one, and in particular each, annular support element can comprise several, and in particular two, circumferential segments, which can be clamped against the working shaft, in particular by bolting. In this way, the impact elements can be quickly and easily attached to the working shaft by placing the circumferential segments onto the working shaft from both sides and then clamping them together, in particular by bolting them.

[0036] To axially fix the ring-shaped support elements to the working shaft, the working shaft can be equipped with circumferential receiving grooves into which the ring-shaped support elements engage. This creates a positive-locking, axially fixed connection between the ring-shaped support elements and the working shaft.

[0037] In a further embodiment of the invention, the impact elements can have chains or be designed as chains, wherein the chain links are preferably rounded so that they have no sharp edges. By designing the impact elements as chains without edges, a fiber-friendly shredding of waste paper components is achieved, since the fibers would be damaged by sharp edges. As a result, the recyclability of shredded or processed waste paper is increased.

[0038] In a further embodiment, several air guide vanes can be arranged around the circumference of the working shaft, particularly in an upper end region of the working chamber. These air guide vanes, which preferably project from the working shaft and rotate with it, ensure a vertical airflow in the working chamber and can thus be used to control the discharge through the bottom outlet openings. In other words, the turbulence generated by the impact elements when they act on the material is influenced by these air guide vanes. Preferably, two opposing air guide vanes are provided on the working shaft.

[0039] In a further embodiment of this design, the air guide vanes can be pivotally mounted on the working shaft about a pivot axis extending transversely, and in particular perpendicularly, to the working shaft, so that the angle of attack of the air guide vanes can be adjusted. In other words, the airflow generated by the air guide vanes, particularly in the vertical direction, can be adjusted by changing the angle of attack. A suitable adjustment mechanism is preferably provided for this purpose.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the working shaft completely penetrates the housing in the vertical direction and is rotatably mounted at the top, in particular on a top wall of the housing, and at the bottom, in particular in a bottom wall of the housing. Such a two-point mounting enables robust fixing of the working shaft in the housing.

[0041] The working shaft can be non-rotatably connected to a flywheel. Preferably, the flywheel is arranged below the housing. The flywheel can have a weight of at least 100 kg, in particular at least 150 kg, preferably at least 200 kg, and / or at most 400 kg, in particular at most 350 kg, preferably 300 kg, and most preferably about 250 kg. The flywheel can also be arranged below a drive motor.

[0042] The drive mechanism can comprise a drive motor with a rotating motor shaft. Preferably, the drive motor is mounted on the top of the housing, with the motor shaft and the working shaft being coaxial. This design is based on the fundamental principle of mounting the drive motor above the housing and aligning it coaxially with the working shaft, thus achieving a space-saving construction. Traction gears, which are often required when the drive motor is mounted eccentrically to the working shaft, can be completely eliminated. Furthermore, the motor does not protrude laterally from the housing. It is also conceivable that the drive motor is arranged below the housing.

[0043] In a specific embodiment, a mounting flange can be attached to the top of the housing, in particular welded or bolted on, to which the drive motor is fixed. Furthermore, the drive system can include a gearbox, in particular a planetary gearbox, which is arranged between the working shaft and the motor shaft. An intermediate gearbox ensures that the working shaft rotates at a suitable speed to achieve optimal comminution or processing of the material introduced into the working chamber. Such a gearbox can also be arranged in the area of ​​an intermediate flange extending between a flange of the drive motor and a flange fixed to the housing. It is also conceivable that the gearbox is integrally formed with the drive motor.

[0044] Furthermore, the drive system can include a clutch located between the motor shaft and the working shaft. This clutch can be designed as a switchable clutch and / or as a compensating clutch, which is suitable for compensating for speed fluctuations and / or angular deviations between the motor shaft and the working shaft. This design is based on the consideration that when the impact elements act on the material introduced into the working chamber, shock events occur which can lead to abrupt speed fluctuations. A compensating clutch protects the drive motor from damage, as it is suitable for at least partially compensating for such speed fluctuations. Furthermore, deformations caused by shock events can lead to angular deviations between the motor shaft and the working shaft, which can also be compensated for by a suitable compensating clutch.Specifically, the compensating coupling can be designed as a claw coupling with corresponding elastic intermediate elements or as a spring bar coupling.

[0045] Advantageously, the drive motor can be designed as an electric motor, in particular as a speed-controlled electric motor. By adjusting the speed, an optimal operating mode for shredding or processing can be set, tailored to the respective material.

[0046] Furthermore, means for injecting a temperature control fluid into the working chamber can be provided. This design is based on the idea of ​​introducing moisture into the working chamber, for example, to regulate the moisture content of the material being processed or shredded, or to control the temperature in the working chamber. The temperature control fluid can contain or consist of water. The temperature control fluid can also contain or consist of whey. Whey is a residual liquid produced during cheesemaking. In this context, whey can be used as a recyclable flame retardant, particularly when cellulose is recovered from the composite materials.

[0047] The device may also include measuring instruments for detecting the temperature in the working space. Furthermore, a control unit may be provided which is designed and suitable for monitoring the temperature in the working space and, if necessary, introducing temperature control fluid into the working space.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the housing can comprise a lower, preferably substantially flat, bottom wall, an upper, substantially flat top wall, and perimeter walls connecting the bottom wall to the top wall. Furthermore, the housing can comprise a support frame to which the bottom wall, the top wall, and the perimeter walls are attached. To simplify the manufacture of the device according to the invention, the support frame can comprise support profiles, in particular standardized support profiles, which are screwed or welded together. The bottom wall and / or the top wall of the housing can also comprise several wall segments, each of which is attached between support profiles. Mounting flanges, for example for attaching the motor or intermediate flanges, or bearing flanges for receiving bearings for the working shaft, can also be attached to the support profiles.

[0049] In a further embodiment, the bottom wall and / or the top wall can be rectangular, in particular square, so that the housing essentially has a cuboid shape. The bottom wall can also be funnel-shaped, so that parts of the material leaving the working space through the side outlet openings can be discharged through the annular space along the funnel-shaped bottom wall.

[0050] The housing, particularly a circumferential wall, may include lockable maintenance openings for accessing the interior. Furthermore, the housing may be pressure-tight and / or equipped with a pressure relief valve for applying positive pressure to the interior and / or a vacuum relief valve for creating negative pressure within the interior.

[0051] According to a second aspect, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a device for shredding and / or processing material, in particular composite materials, comprising at least one expanded metal mesh over which the material to be shredded can be guided or against which it can impact. Preferably, the device includes at least one expanded metal mesh over which the material to be shredded is guided or with which it comes into contact. This design is based on the consideration that expanded metal mesh is particularly suitable for shredding composite materials, preferably for shredding composite food packaging or beverage packaging.It has been found that expanded metal sheets, in contact with the composite material to be shredded, especially with fragments thereof, cause the different layers to separate from one another, thus resulting in a separation into very pure material fractions. In practice, the different layers are torn or sheared off from each other. The device can be further designed as described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention. The same applies to the preferred embodiment of the expanded metal sheets.

[0052] The device can have a working chamber in which the material to be shredded can be set in motion. The working chamber can have outlet openings, specifically formed by an expanded metal mesh. Through this movement, the material to be shredded, for example, the composite material, can collide with the expanded metal mesh, so that it is separated upon contact. The shredded material components can then exit the working chamber through the expanded metal mesh.

[0053] Furthermore, the device can include means by which the material to be shredded is set in motion. Specifically, the material can be accelerated so that it strikes the expanded metal mesh. In other words, kinetic energy is generated before the material comes into contact with the expanded metal mesh. The means can include impact elements that can move within the working area to act on the material to be shredded.

[0054] According to a third aspect, the problem underlying the invention is further solved by an arrangement for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, comprising: - a comminution device for comminuting the material, in particular a cross-flow shredder, preferably a device as previously described in connection with the first and / or the second aspect; - Separation agents downstream of the comminution device for separating the material into different material fractions.

[0055] Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect, the problem underlying the invention is solved by a method for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, comprising the following steps: - Providing source material; - Comminution of the starting material in a comminution device, in particular in a cross-flow shredder and / or in a device as previously described in connection with the first and / or second aspect; - Separating the shredded material into different material fractions.

[0056] This arrangement or process is based on the idea of ​​first shredding the starting material and then systematically separating the shredded material into different material fractions. The processing of the material can thus include separation into different material fractions. In other words, the plan is to separate the shredded material into different material fractions so that, for example, particularly with beverage composite materials, one ultimately obtains a paper fraction (cellulose), an aluminum fraction, and / or a plastic fraction, as well as potentially other material fractions, each with a high degree of purity and readily available for further processing. Alternatively, instead of an aluminum fraction, a mixture of plastic film, especially a PE film coated with aluminum, can be obtained. The (composite) material or starting material can consist of cellulose fibers or...The material contains cellulose fibers. Preferably, in the comminution device, the material is already comminuted to such an extent that, particularly in the case of a paper fraction or a cellulose fraction, no further dissolution in a liquid, also called pulper, is necessary. This allows for a particularly environmentally friendly and fiber-preserving processing of the material. Certain material fractions, especially those consisting of paper and / or cellulose (fibers or cellulose pulp), can be used for the subsequent production of insulation materials. The inventive method or arrangement can be used for comminution / processing material for the production of insulation materials.The comminution device can in principle be any device for comminuting material or the device for comminuting and / or processing material, in particular composite material, according to the first and / or the second aspect of the invention.

[0057] Preferably, the starting material is a composite material. Specifically, this can be a food composite material or packaging, and / or a beverage composite material or packaging.

[0058] The starting material can have a cellulose content of at least 30% by weight, in particular at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, and / or at most 90%, in particular at most 80%, preferably at most 70%. The aluminum content can be at least 2%, in particular at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, and / or at most 50%, in particular at most 40%, preferably at most 30%. The starting material can have a hard plastic content by weight, for example derived from screw caps, of at least 0.5%, in particular at least 1%, preferably at least 1.5%, and / or at most 10%, in particular at most 8%, preferably at most 5%.Furthermore, the starting material can have a weight fraction of plastic film, in particular PE film, of at least 2%, in particular of at least 5%, preferably of at least 10%, and / or of at most 50%, in particular of at most 40%, preferably of at most 30%.

[0059] Preferably, the comminution takes place at a temperature in the working chamber of the comminution device of at least 40°C, in particular at least 50°C, preferably at least 60°C, and / or at most 150°C, in particular at most 120°C, preferably at most 100°C, and most preferably at a temperature of 80°C. Preferably, the temperature in the working chamber is 80°C ± 10°C. At such temperatures, the material is sanitized simultaneously with the comminution / processing. This is energy-efficient, as the resulting process heat can be utilized.

[0060] To control the temperature, a temperature control fluid can be introduced into the working chamber. This fluid can contain or consist of water. It can also contain whey. In this case, whey can be used as a recyclable flame retardant, especially if cellulose (fibers) is recovered from the material.

[0061] In a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the separation means can include an air classification system. Accordingly, in the method according to the invention, the separation of the comminuted material into different material fractions is preferably carried out by means of air classification. Air classification is a mechanical separation process in which particles are guided in a gas stream against the force of gravity.

[0062] The particles are separated based on the ratio between the force generated by their mass and their flow resistance. In other words, the principle of gravity or centrifugal force separation is utilized. Fine, light particles follow the flow, while coarse and heavy particles are more affected by the inertial force. In this way, the particles and the material fractions can be separated very efficiently.

[0063] The separation means can include an eddy current separator to separate metal-containing material components from other material components. This design is based on the fundamental idea of ​​providing an eddy current separator after the material has been shredded, particularly in a cross-flow shredder, to separate metal-containing material components from other material components. An eddy current separator is based on the principle of exposing the shredded material to high-frequency alternating magnetic fields, which generate strong eddy currents in conductive, and therefore metallic, material components. These eddy currents then oppose the external magnetic field, causing the metallic components to be deflected from the remaining material flow due to a force impulse.

[0064] The eddy current separator can, for example, include a conveyor belt on which the shredded material is conveyed at a particularly constant speed. The eddy current separator can also include a so-called head drum, which, for example, contains a permanent magnet system that generates high-frequency alternating magnetic fields when the head drum rotates. The individual material components can then be directed into different separation chambers, depending on whether they contain metal components or not. This allows for the efficient separation of the materials into different material fractions.

[0065] Accordingly, the inventive method can be characterized in that the crushed material is separated into different material fractions in an eddy current separator, so that metal-containing material components are separated from other material components.

[0066] The eddy current separator can include a blower designed to generate an airflow above or along the conveyor belt in the conveying direction of the shredded material. In other words, a blower can be provided, preferably located at the opposite end of the head drum, to generate an airflow towards the head drum. Such a blower prevents the shredded and very light material, which is moved on the conveyor belt towards the head drum for separation, from being stirred up by a headwind or stagnant air. This increases the efficiency of the eddy current separator.

[0067] In a further embodiment, the conveyor belt can be encapsulated. This prevents the shredded material, which is conveyed towards the head drum, from being stirred up and escaping into the surrounding environment. With such encapsulation, which is achieved, for example, by a housing surrounding the conveyor belt, a largely laminar flow between the housing and the conveyor belt can be generated by the blower. This prevents turbulence, so that the material remains on the conveyor belt as it is conveyed towards the head drum. Preferably, the housing is arranged at a distance from the conveyor belt at least substantially constant over its entire length, or the free cross-section between the conveyor belt and the housing can remain at least substantially constant over the length of the conveyor belt.The blower device, or at least an outlet opening of the blower device through which an airflow generated by the blower device can escape, is preferably arranged inside the housing.

[0068] The blower unit can have an outward-facing intake opening through which ambient air can be drawn in. Furthermore, the blower unit can be controlled in such a way that the generated volume flow of air or the speed of the airflow can be adjusted.

[0069] A separating plate can be provided in the head drum area to divide different separation chambers. This is based on the consideration that the magnetic fields generated by the head drum deflect metal-containing material components differently than non-metallic material components.

[0070] At the end opposite the head drum, the housing can have an inlet opening, particularly open at the top, to convey the shredded material onto the conveyor belt. The inlet opening can be directly connected to the shredding device, for example, to an outlet hopper, or to conveying elements located between the shredding device and the eddy current separator.

[0071] Preferably, the eddy current separator includes drive means for powering the conveyor belt. These may include an electric motor that drives a drive roller over which the conveyor belt runs. The eddy current separator may have a control device by means of which the rotational speed of the drive roller or the speed of the conveyor belt can be adjusted. Furthermore, sensor means may be provided which are configured to measure the velocity of the airflow generated by the blower. The control device may be configured to adjust the speed of the conveyor belt and / or the speed of the airflow such that both speeds are at least substantially equal.

[0072] Accordingly, the method according to the invention can be characterized in that, when conveying the crushed material towards the head drum, an airflow is generated, in particular by a blower device, in the direction of the head drum in order to prevent turbulence of the material transported on the conveyor belt. Preferably, an airflow is generated with a flow velocity that corresponds at least substantially to the speed of the conveyor belt.

[0073] The process according to the invention can be characterized in that (ultimately) a separation into a material fraction consisting at least substantially of aluminum takes place. The purity of this material fraction can be at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 97%, 98%, or 99%. By separating such an aluminum fraction, the aluminum contained in composite material can be recycled. Compared to the production of new aluminum, CO2 emissions can thus be significantly reduced.

[0074] In addition to an aluminum fraction, the material can be separated into a fraction consisting at least substantially of paper and / or cellulose and / or a fraction consisting at least substantially of plastic. The purity of the fraction consisting mainly of paper and / or cellulose (cellulose fraction) can be at least 80%, in particular at least 90%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 97%, 98%, or 99%. The same applies to the fraction consisting mainly of plastic (plastic fraction).

[0075] In a further embodiment of the arrangement, the eddy current separator can have a working width of at least 1000 mm, in particular at least 1500 mm, preferably at least 2000 mm. The working width can correspond to the width of a conveyor belt of the eddy current separator. The eddy current separator can be configured with at least 20 poles, in particular at least 30 poles, and / or at most 80 poles, in particular at most 60 poles, preferably 40 poles. The large number of poles allows for the generation of a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. Such pole counts have proven particularly advantageous for the comminution or separation of composite materials.

[0076] The shredding device and the eddy current separator can be connected via suitable conveying means to feed material discharged from the shredding device to the eddy current separator. In particular, the conveying means can include enclosed conveyor belts. This prevents the loss of particularly light material components, consisting primarily of paper and / or cellulose, during transport between the shredding device and the eddy current separator. The conveying means can be connected to or attached to a discharge chamber of the shredding device.

[0077] In a further embodiment, the conveying means can be designed such that they allow the recirculation of material, in particular metal-containing material components, from the eddy current separator back to the comminution device. Correspondingly, the method according to the invention can be designed such that the metal-containing material components are recirculated into the comminution device at least once, in particular several times, preferably at least five times, to effect further comminution each time. This embodiment is based on the fundamental finding that often, after the first pass through the comminution device, in particular a cross-flow shredder, sufficiently pure metal-containing material components are not yet present.Rather, it has become apparent that, particularly when shredding composite materials, material components often remain, for example, in the form of individual fragments, containing both metallic components and other components such as paper, cellulose, or plastic. These components can be further shredded by recirculating them back into the shredding device. This process can be repeated until virtually only pure material components remain. It has been found that, for example, when shredding and processing composite materials, especially beverage or food packaging such as that used under the Tetra Pak brand, multiple recirculations may be necessary.

[0078] The eddy current separator can have a separation chamber into which non-metallic material components of the shredded material are directed. Furthermore, the eddy current separator can have a separate separation chamber for metallic material components.

[0079] The separation chamber of the eddy current separator for non-metallic material components can be connected to an air classification system downstream of the eddy current separator via suitable conveying means, so that non-metallic material components are fed from the eddy current separator to the air classification system. Preferably, these are material components containing plastic and cellulose. In other words, the eddy current separator can separate material components consisting essentially of plastic and cellulose on the one hand, and metal-containing material components, particularly those containing aluminum, on the other.

[0080] The metal-containing material components can include or consist entirely of plastic film coated with aluminum. In other words, it can be scraps of plastic film with an aluminum layer. This means that immediately after shredding or separating material containing metal components, a pure aluminum fraction cannot yet be present, but rather a composite material comprising or consisting of plastic film, especially PE film, and aluminum.

[0081] After separating material containing metal components, it can be subjected to an ultrasonic bath. It has been observed that the metal components, such as aluminum, are often still bonded to a plastic film, particularly a polyethylene (PE) film, after separation. This is because these composite materials are frequently manufactured by coating a PE film with aluminum. An ultrasonic bath allows the two components to be separated. In this way, aluminum can be separated with a high degree of purity. Accordingly, an ultrasonic bath can be installed downstream of the eddy current separator, connected to the separator's collection chamber via suitable conveying equipment.

[0082] The plastic and cellulose-containing material components that were separated in the eddy current separator can be subjected to air classification to separate them into material components consisting mainly of plastic and material components consisting mainly of cellulose.

[0083] In a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the separation means can comprise a vibrating screen, which is preferably connected upstream of an air classifier. Accordingly, the method according to the invention can be characterized in that, after the comminution of the starting material, vibratory screening is carried out before separation into different material fractions. By means of vibratory screening, particles or parts are separated according to their size. If the parts are still larger than the screen opening, they cannot pass through the vibrating screen. Smaller parts, however, can pass through and are then subsequently fed to the air classifier. For this purpose, the vibrating screen can be connected to the air classifier via a suitable conveying device. The conveying device can comprise an enclosed conveyor belt.An encapsulated conveyor belt has proven advantageous in avoiding unwanted material compaction or matting.

[0084] In a specific configuration, the vibratory system can comprise two screening units. One screening unit can be connected to one discharge chamber of the shredding device via suitable conveying means, and the other screening unit can be connected to the other discharge chamber of the shredding device via suitable conveying means. This configuration is based on the idea of ​​further processing the shredded or processed material that has exited the working chamber of the shredding device through the side discharge openings independently of the shredded material that has exited the working chamber through the bottom discharge openings. In practice, this results in two different and separate screening units, which allows the separation already carried out in the shredding device to be used advantageously.

[0085] The conveying means may preferably include encapsulated conveyor belts. Furthermore, they may be designed to allow recirculation of shredded material from the eddy current separator and / or the vibratory screen back to the shredding device. In other words, parts or particles that are too large to pass through the vibratory screen can be returned to the shredding device for further shredding. Such recirculation, which can also occur between the air classifier and the vibratory screen or the eddy current separator, results in particularly pure material fractions after separation in the air classifier, as it enables highly defined shredding and separation.

[0086] In a further embodiment of the process according to the invention, the material components, which consist essentially of cellulose, can preferably be processed in a further comminution device, wherein, in particular, homogenization, sanitization, and / or purification of the cellulose-containing components takes place. In other words, the material fraction consisting essentially of cellulose can be processed in a suitable form for further use.

[0087] Accordingly, the arrangement according to the invention can include a further comminution device. This further comminution device can be designed like the comminution device described previously in connection with the first and second aspects. The further comminution device can be connected downstream of the air classification system via suitable conveying means, for example, encapsulated conveyor belts.

[0088] The processing in the subsequent shredding device can include the separation of fine particle rejects, in particular residual contents of the composite material, preferably the composite packaging, and / or cellulose with fiber fragments, and / or downstream, a cleaning of the material components consisting essentially of cellulose can take place. This allows any remaining organic components, such as residual juice or other residues of ingredients, to be separated from the cellulose fiber, resulting in a largely pure cellulose fraction. The fine particle rejects can also contain printing ink, aluminum dust, and / or residues of polymer layers. Wash water, in particular rainwater, can be used for the cleaning process and subsequently purified anaerobically with biogas production for reuse.This design is based on the consideration that fine particle rejects, which may include residual contents, such as juice residues, from the composite packaging formed from the composite material and / or cellulose fiber fragments, are separated. Through anaerobic purification, the organic residues contained in the wash water can be converted into biogas via a thermophilic process. The anaerobic purification of the wash water preferably takes place at a temperature of at least 30 °C, particularly at least 40 °C and / or at most 80 °C, particularly at most 70 °C, preferably at about 55 °C. The anaerobic purification can take place for a duration of at least one hour and / or at most five hours, preferably about three hours. Anaerobic purification is essentially a microbiological degradation process that can occur without the presence of oxygen.A thermophilic process preferably takes place at temperatures above 40 °C, particularly between 50 °C and 57 °C. This is essentially a anaerobic process that can generate biogas, allowing all components of the composite material to be recycled, including organic residues. Accordingly, the arrangement can include a cleaning device, which is preferably located downstream of the further shredding device.

[0089] The processing of the material components, which consist primarily of cellulose, in the subsequent shredding device can be accompanied by de-inking. Preferably, this is a dry de-inking process, which occurs practically automatically through the shredding or processing. Surface printing inks, wax layers, and other non-paper coatings can be removed in the process. These components can also form part of the fine particle rejects.

[0090] The processing of the material components, which consist primarily of cellulose, can also include irradiation with UV radiation, particularly UV-C radiation, preferably biocidal irradiation. The irradiation can take place after the discharge of the material components, i.e., the cellulose fraction, from the comminution device and / or after its cleaning. Accordingly, the arrangement can include an irradiation unit. This can significantly reduce the microbial load.

[0091] To simplify the feeding of material, which is usually in bale form, a pre-shredding unit can be installed upstream of the shredding device. The pre-shredding unit comprises, in particular, a shredder, preferably a twin-shaft shredder. The pre-shredding unit can be connected to the feeding arrangement of the shredding device via a suitable conveying device, which preferably comprises a screw conveyor or an enclosed conveyor belt. This design is based on the consideration that large bales of material, especially composite material, can be efficiently fed to the pre-shredding unit using a forklift truck, and from there the material can be fed to the shredding device in a suitably sized form.Accordingly, the method according to the invention can be characterized in that a pre-shredding takes place before the comminution of the starting material in the comminution device.

[0092] Preferably, the pre-shredding is carried out in such a way that the inner and outer surfaces of the composite material are readily accessible. Preferably, packaging made of composite material is shredded into two halves. The individual layers of the composite material are not separated from each other.

[0093] Following the initial shredding, the packaging can be cleaned. Preferably, wash water can be used, ideally without any chemical cleaning additives. The temperature of the wash water can be at least 30 °C, particularly at least 40 °C, and / or at most 80 °C, particularly at most 70 °C. Preferably, the temperature of the wash water is 55 °C. This can be rainwater. In this way, adhering contaminants (for example, milk or juice residues) can be removed. If the composite packaging is simply shredded into two halves, an advantage is that the cellulose within the composite material is preserved, since the cellulose components are usually protected by corresponding layers of plastic, aluminum, wax, or polymer.

[0094] Preferably, the used wash water is subsequently purified anaerobically, producing biogas. The anaerobically purified wash water can be reused. Preferably, the purification takes place at a temperature of at least 30 °C, particularly at least 40 °C, and / or at most 80 °C, particularly at most 70 °C, preferably at 55 °C. The biogas obtained in this way can be used in a combined heat and power plant for electricity generation. The energy generated is capable of covering a large part of the energy demand of the entire setup or the entire process for processing and / or comminuting material, especially composite materials.

[0095] It is also possible that during pre-shredding and / or shredding in the shredding device or shredding unit, the water content of residual liquids (e.g., milk and / or juice) contained in the composite packaging evaporates. This preferably occurs at temperatures of 70 °C to 120 °C, which prevail in the shredding device during shredding and / or processing of the material. The remaining residues (e.g., juice residues) can then be removed as dust, in particular by suction. For this purpose, suitable removal devices, preferably including a suction system, can be provided in the shredding device.

[0096] The starting material can be sanitized before or during the comminution process in the comminution device. This can, in principle, be carried out as described in the previous section. The sanitization can take place in the comminution device itself or during pre-communication. Preferably, the water content of residual liquids (for example, milk and / or juice) contained in the composite packaging is evaporated. The sanitization can take place at a temperature of at least 60 °C, in particular at least 70 °C, preferably at least 80 °C, and / or at most 150 °C, in particular at most 120 °C, preferably at most 110 °C, and most preferably at a temperature of 100 °C or higher.

[0097] Sanitization can take place over a period of at least 5 minutes, in particular at least 10 minutes, and / or at most 30 minutes, in particular at most 20 minutes.

[0098] This design is based on the idea that during sanitization, in addition to the evaporation of residual liquids, the bond between different layers, particularly between a PE / aluminum film and the cellulose, is at least temporarily broken or loosened, thus making subsequent separation of the two layers significantly more effective. Simultaneously, it was observed that the films shrink considerably, with the surface area of ​​the film particles decreasing by up to 90%. This significantly improves subsequent separation, for example, by air classification or sieving.

[0099] Especially when such sanitization is carried out, recirculation can preferably be avoided. In other words, it is then no longer necessary to reintroduce the shredded material into the shredding device for further shredding. Rather, a single shredding process without recirculation may be sufficient to reliably separate the different components.

[0100] Between the pre-shredding unit and the shredding unit, a device for separating metal-containing material components from other material components can be arranged. This device can be designed as an (additional) eddy current separator. This allows metal-containing material components to be separated from other material components, so that only metal-containing components are fed to the shredding unit. This design is based on the consideration that not all composite materials or composite packaging contain metal components at all. Indeed, there are also composite packaging products that do not contain aluminum foil or other metal foil.In this way, the non-metallic components can be separated and treated separately before entering the comminution device, for example, in another comminution device connected in parallel to the comminution device or in a comminution unit (particularly as described in connection with the first or second aspect), so that only composite material containing metallic components is fed to the comminution device and the subsequent eddy current separator. This significantly increases the efficiency of the process according to the invention. In other words, separation into metallic materials and other materials can take place before feeding into the comminution device, so that only the metallic materials are fed into the comminution device.

[0101] The various components (shredding devices, separating agents, etc.) can each be connected to one another by suitable conveying means or systems. These can be designed as screw conveyors and / or conveyor belts, particularly encapsulated conveyor belts, or similar devices. An aqueous solution can be added to the cellulose fraction, especially if it is intended for later use as insulation material. This addition can be achieved by injection into conveying means, such as encapsulated screw conveyors, which transport the shredded cellulose fraction from the shredding devices. In other words, such an aqueous solution can be effectively kneaded in.

[0102] The conveying equipment can be designed or used to introduce whey into the material. Conveying equipment designed as screw conveyors is particularly suitable for introducing liquids, such as whey, into the conveyed material simultaneously with transport, as the liquid can essentially be kneaded into the material.

[0103] The arrangement and / or method according to the invention is preferably used for shredding and / or processing composite materials, in particular food packaging, and more preferably beverage packaging made of composite materials. In particular, the use of the material components consisting essentially of cellulose, i.e., the corresponding cellulose fraction, for the subsequent production of insulating materials is possible. In other words, the method can serve to produce a fibrous material that consists at least substantially of cellulose and can be used for the production of insulating materials, as insulating material, or for the production of paper.

[0104] According to a fifth aspect, the problem underlying the invention is further solved by a fiber material which consists at least substantially of cellulose, in particular obtained by a process as described above from composite material, preferably from beverage composite material or beverage packaging or food packaging.

[0105] This embodiment is based on the understanding that fibrous material, consisting at least substantially of cellulose, is preferably obtained by a process according to the invention, in particular with an arrangement according to the present invention as described above. Such fibrous material, which in particular arises directly from the obtained cellulose fraction, has very favorable properties. Preferably, the fibrous material consists at least substantially, and in particular entirely, of a plurality of individual fibers. The fibrous material can be the cellulose fraction that was separated by the process.

[0106] In a further embodiment, the fiber material can be processed only once. This means that it has been processed for the first time using the inventive method; it is therefore practically fresh material that has not been previously recycled. This allows for a high fiber quality to be achieved.

[0107] Preferably, the fiber material was obtained by separating composite material using an expanded metal mesh. This design is based on the consideration that contact with an expanded metal mesh, particularly upon impact, allows composite material, especially material consisting of multiple layers, to be separated into very pure fractions. At the same time, it has been found that the fibers are not significantly damaged, since the separation upon contact with an expanded metal mesh primarily occurs between the different layers of the composite material.

[0108] In a further embodiment, the fiber material can have a thermal conductivity (λ) of less than 0.039 W / (m²). 2 K), in particular less than 0.038 W / (m²) 2 K), preferably of less than 0.037 W / (m²) 2 K), and / or of more than 0.02 W / (m²) 2 K), in particular of more than 0.025 W / (m²) 2 K), further preferably of at least 0.03, 0.032 or 0.035 W / (m²). 2 K) exhibit.

[0109] Thermal conductivity is a measure of how well or poorly a material conducts heat. Such thermal conductivities indicate a material's suitability as an insulating material, for example, in building insulation. Thermal conductivity can be determined, for instance, by comparing a heat flow with a reference sample. The heat flow measurement method can be used for this purpose. Alternatively, thermal conductivity can also be determined using the three-omega method. In this method, a metal heater applied to a sample is periodically heated, and the resulting temperature oscillations are measured. The thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the sample can be determined from the frequency dependence of these oscillations.

[0110] Thermal conductivity can be measured according to DIN 52612, in particular DIN 52612-1:1979-09, or according to DIN 52616:1977-11. It is also possible to determine thermal conductivity according to DIN EN 12664:2001-05, DIN EN 12667:2001-05, or DIN EN 12939:2001-02. Preferably, thermal conductivity is determined using the one- or two-plate method, whereby samples of the fiber material in plate form with an edge length of at least 500 mm and / or a sample thickness of at least 5 mm are used. The measurement time can be several hours.

[0111] Another possible method is to measure thermal conductivity by clamping a thin metal strip between two cuboid samples of the fibrous material. The setup can be heated to a constant measurement temperature. The metal strip is then heated by a heating current for a period of preferably several minutes. Simultaneously, a temperature-dependent voltage drop is recorded. In other words, the metal strip can serve as both a heat source and a resistance thermometer, allowing the thermal conductivity to be calculated. If the fibrous material is to be measured in bulk, the experimental setup can be housed in a container, particularly a Plexiglas container.

[0112] In a further embodiment, the cellulose content of the fiber material can be at least 90%, in particular at least 92%, preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 97%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9%.

[0113] The average fiber length of the fiber material can be at least 0.45 mm, in particular at least 0.5 mm, preferably at least 0.55 mm or at least 0.6 mm, and / or at most 1.5 mm. Such fiber lengths are advantageous because these relatively long fibers result in durable materials when reused. If the fiber material is later used for papermaking, the fiber length and thickness are crucial for the paper's strength properties.

[0114] The fiber material can have an average fiber thickness of at least 26 µm, in particular at least 30 µm, preferably at least 31 µm, and / or at most 50 µm, in particular at most 40 µm, preferably at most 36 µm.

[0115] Fiber length and thickness are measured by preferably taking a certain number of individual fibers from the fiber material, which consists of a large number of individual fibers, and determining the length and thickness of the individual fibers, for example under a microscope.

[0116] According to a sixth aspect, the problem underlying the invention is further solved by using the fiber material for the production of paper and / or for the production of gypsum fiber insulation and / or as insulation material, in particular in board form or as bulk material.

[0117] It has been found that fibrous material produced from composite materials, particularly food or beverage packaging, is suitable for use in gypsum fiber insulation. Generally, gypsum fiber insulation contains cellulose fibers at a weight percentage of approximately 15%.

[0118] Depending on the application, the fiber material can also be used directly as cellulose insulation. In this case, it can be used as loose fill or in the form of prefabricated insulation panels.

[0119] Especially when the fiber material is to be used as insulation, an aqueous solution can be added, for example, during the process described in the fourth aspect. This aqueous solution can contain ammonium phosphate and / or nitrogen- and / or phosphorus-containing flame retardants. This allows the material to achieve fire class B1 (flame-retardant). The use of ammonium phosphate as a flame retardant has the advantage that the fiber material is considered harmless to humans and ecotoxicology, and the insulation material is therefore not classified as a hazardous substance. The solution can be added by injection into conveying equipment, such as encapsulated screw conveyors, which transport the shredded cellulose fraction from the shredding devices. In other words, such an aqueous solution can essentially be kneaded in.

[0120] The object underlying the invention is further solved by a separation device, in particular an eddy current separator, with a conveyor belt on which material is conveyed, wherein the separation device further comprises a blower device which is configured to generate an airflow in the area of ​​the conveyor belt, in particular above the conveyor belt, in the conveying direction of the material or the conveyor belt. Preferably, the separation device is suitable for separating metal-containing material components from non-metal-containing material components.

[0121] This design is based on the idea of ​​using a separation device, such as an eddy current separator, on a conveyor belt to generate a particularly laminar airflow in the conveying direction, in order to prevent the material lying on the conveyor belt, which is usually very light, from being stirred up and lost. Preferably, the blower device is designed to generate an airflow with a flow velocity that corresponds to the conveying speed or the speed of the conveyor belt.

[0122] In a further embodiment, the separation device can comprise a head drum towards which the conveyor belt can convey the material to be separated. In particular, a permanent magnet system can be located in the head drum, which is designed to generate, in particular, high-frequency alternating magnetic fields when the head drum rotates. Specifically, the separation device can be configured like the eddy current separator described in connection with the previous aspects of the invention.

[0123] The separation device can be encapsulated, particularly at least in the area of ​​the conveyor belt. Specifically, a housing can be provided which preferably completely surrounds the conveyor belt perpendicular to the conveying direction. The cross-section between the conveyor belt and the housing can remain at least substantially constant along the length of the conveying path. The blower device can be arranged at the opposite end of the conveyor belt from the head drum. A laminar airflow can be achieved by using a housing that maintains a constant distance from the conveyor belt along the length of the conveying device. The separation device can be further configured as described above in connection with the arrangement and method according to the invention.

[0124] The further embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the dependent claims and to the description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a first arrangement for crushing and processing material according to the present invention in a schematic representation; Fig. 2 the shredding device of the arrangement Fig. 1 in a sectional view; Fig. 3 a second arrangement according to the present invention in a schematic representation; Fig. 4 the shredding device of the arrangement Fig. 3 in a schematic sectional view; and Fig. 5 a separation device according to the invention in a schematic representation.

[0125] The Fig. Figure 1 shows an arrangement for crushing and processing composite material according to the present invention. The material flow is shown schematically by the arrows.

[0126] Links in the Fig. Figure 1 shows a pre-shredding system 2, which can be loaded with material using a forklift. The pre-shredding system 2 is designed as a twin-shaft shredder. The pre-shredded material, i.e., the broken-up large bales, is fed via a suitable conveying device in the form of a screw conveyor 3 to a shredding device 4 according to the present invention.

[0127] The detailed construction of device 4 is described in the Fig. 2 shown in a cross-section. The device 4 for crushing composite material has a housing 5, which has an upper, flat ceiling wall 6 and circumferential walls 7, so that the housing essentially has a cuboid basic shape.

[0128] A feed arrangement 8 for supplying material into the interior of the housing is provided on the ceiling wall 6. This includes a feed opening 9 and a rotary valve 10 through which material can be supplied.

[0129] A sieve basket 11 is also arranged in the housing 5, forming a working chamber 12. The sieve basket 11 comprises a circular, flat base plate 13 and a circumferential side wall 14 projecting upwards from it. This side wall extends over the entire height of the perimeter wall 7 of the housing 5 and is fixed to the top wall 6. The base plate 13 and the side wall 14 define the working chamber 12.

[0130] In the base and side wall of the working chamber 12, specifically in the base plate 13 and the side wall 14 of the sieve basket 11, a multitude of outlet openings 15, 16 designed as sieve openings are provided. The outlet openings 15 on the bottom side open into a discharge chamber 17, which corresponds to the interior of a discharge hopper 18. The lateral outlet openings 16, which are arranged in an upper section of the sieve basket 11, open into an annular space 19, which is formed between the housing 6 and the sieve basket 11. The annular space 19 also forms a discharge chamber, which is separate from the discharge chamber 17 into which the outlet openings 15 on the bottom side open, so that the shredded material leaving the working chamber 12 through the lateral outlet openings 16 is separated from the shredded material.The processed material, which leaves the working chamber 12 through the bottom outlet openings, can be discharged from the device 4. Corresponding discharge pipes 20, 21 are shown in the schematic diagram.

[0131] The device 4 further comprises a working shaft 22 extending vertically in the working space 12. This shaft extends over the entire height of the sieve basket 11 and is rotatably mounted on the housing 5 about its longitudinal axis. The working shaft 22 is driven by an electric motor 23, the motor shaft of which is aligned coaxially with the working shaft 22 and which is coupled to it via a planetary gear and a flexible coupling.

[0132] Several impact elements 24 in the form of chains are provided on the working shaft 22, spaced apart vertically, for acting on the material introduced into the working chamber 12. The impact elements 24 are fixed to the working shaft 22 and are designed to project radially outwards into the working chamber 12 when the working shaft 22 is rotating, in order to act on the material introduced into the working chamber 12.

[0133] In an upper end region of the working chamber 12, two opposing air guide vanes 25 are provided on the working shaft 22 to control the material flow in the working chamber 12. The air guide vanes 25 are pivotally mounted on the working shaft 22 about a pivot axis extending perpendicular to the working shaft 22. In this way, the angle of attack of the air guide vanes 25 can be adjusted to control the material flow in the working chamber 12. Furthermore, means for injecting water into the working chamber 12 in the form of an injection nozzle 26 are provided in the ceiling wall 6 of the housing.

[0134] As in the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the arrangement 1 further comprises a vibrating screen 27, which in this case includes two screening units 28. One screening unit 28 is connected to one discharge chamber 17 of the device 4 via suitable conveying means, here in the form of an encapsulated conveyor belt 29. The other screening unit 28 of the vibrating screen 27 is also connected to the annular space 19 of the device 4 via an encapsulated conveyor belt 29. The two encapsulated conveyor belts 29 are designed such that they allow recirculation of crushed material from the vibrating screen 27 back to the crushing device 4.

[0135] A wind classification system 30 is connected downstream of the vibrating screen 27. This is also connected to the vibrating screen 27 via an encapsulated conveyor belt 29.

[0136] If material, in particular a composite material, is to be processed in the described arrangement 1, it is preferably fed in bale form to the pre-shredding system 2 using a forklift. The shredder contained in this system 2 shreds the bales of composite material to such an extent that they can be introduced into the working chamber 12 of the shredding device 4 via the rotary valve 10.

[0137] The rotating working shaft 22 and the impact elements 24 attached to it, which act upon the material, crush it. Simultaneously, the air guide vanes 25 generate a downward airflow. For temperature regulation, water is also introduced into the working chamber 12 via the injection nozzle 26, ideally maintaining a continuous temperature of approximately 80 °C. The crushing of the introduced material is optimized by the arrangement of impact bars 31 on the side wall 14 of the screen basket 11, which project into the working chamber 12.

[0138] The composite material is crushed in the working chamber 12 and remains there, or circulates there, until it leaves the working chamber 12 either via the bottom outlet openings 15 or the side outlet openings 16.

[0139] The two material streams are discharged separately from the crushing device 4 through the discharge pipes 20, 21 and fed to the two screening devices 28 of the vibrating screen system 27 via the encapsulated conveyor belts 29.

[0140] Material components or particles that are sufficiently reduced to pass through the vibrating screen 27 are then fed to the air classifier 30, where they are finally separated into largely pure material fractions and can be removed. Particles or components of the material that are still too large to pass through the vibrating screen 27 can be returned via the enclosed conveyor belts 29 to the shredding unit 4, where they are reintroduced into the working chamber 12 for further shredding.

[0141] The described arrangement 1 allows the composite material to be separated into largely pure material fractions. At the same time, the paper or cellulose components of the composite material are reduced to such a degree that they can be further processed in a liquid without requiring further dissolution, resulting in significant economic and ecological advantages.

[0142] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of an arrangement 1 according to the invention for shredding and processing composite material in a schematic representation. This includes a pre-shredding unit 2, which in this case is designed as a twin-shaft shredder. Composite material with and without metallic components, for example in bale form, can be fed into this unit.

[0143] A eddy current separator 32 is provided downstream of the pre-shredding plant 2. In this separator, metal-containing materials are separated from other materials. This means that in the Fig. 1. The composite material shown, which contains no metal, is directed downwards, whereas the composite material containing aluminum is directed upwards. In the upper section, a shredding device 4 is provided downstream of the eddy current separator 32, which in this case is designed as a cross-flow shredder. The shredding device 4 is shown in detail in the Fig. 4 shown in cross-section.

[0144] The comminution device 4 for comminuting composite material is essentially identical in design to the one described in the Fig. 2. The shredding device 4 shown differs in that both the lateral outlet openings 16 and the bottom outlet openings 15 open into a common discharge chamber 17. Specifically, the outlet openings 15 and 16 are formed here by expanded metal mesh. An annular space 19 is also formed around the perimeter between the screen basket 11 and the housing 5.

[0145] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the arrangement 1 further comprises an eddy current separator 33, which is connected to the comminution device 4, specifically to the discharge chamber 17, via suitable conveying means, here for example in the form of an encapsulated conveyor belt 34. The encapsulated conveyor belt 34 is designed such that it allows recirculation of comminution of material from the eddy current separator 33 back to the comminution device 4, specifically into the working chamber 12. Specifically, the conveying means can comprise two parallel encapsulated conveyor belts, one of which continuously conveys the material from the discharge chamber 17 towards the eddy current separator 33, and the other of which conveys in the opposite direction, particularly from a separation chamber of the eddy current separator 33 for metal-containing material components.It is also possible to provide only one conveyor belt 34, which alternately conveys material towards the eddy current separator 33 and back towards the crushing device 4.

[0146] The eddy current separator 33, which in this case has a working width of 2,000 mm and a 40-pole configuration, serves to separate the shredded material into material components consisting primarily of plastic and cellulose on the one hand, and into material components containing metals, in particular aluminum, on the other. Specifically, the eddy current separator 33 has a separation chamber into which non-metallic material components of the shredded material are directed.

[0147] The separation means further comprise an air classification system 30, wherein the separation chamber of the eddy current separator 33 for non-metallic material components is connected to the air classification system 30 via suitable conveying means. In this way, non-metallic material components, in particular material components consisting essentially of plastic and cellulose, can be fed from the eddy current separator 33 to the air classification system 30.

[0148] In the air classification plant 30, a separation is carried out into material components consisting mainly of plastic and material components consisting mainly of cellulose. The material components consisting mainly of cellulose are processed in a further comminution device 35, whereby so-called fine particle rejects are separated in particular. The material components consisting at least mainly of cellulose are then homogenized, sanitized and / or subjected to cleaning.

[0149] The material components separated in the eddy current separator 32, which do not contain any metal components, are crushed, processed and separated from fine material rejects in a comminution device 36, which is designed in particular as a cross-flow shredder, before they are also fed to the air classification system 30 and then further processed.

[0150] The original composite material, which contains both composite packaging with and without metallic components, is first coarsely shredded in the pre-shredding plant 2. In an eddy current separator, the composite packaging containing metals is separated from the non-metallic composite packaging.

[0151] The metal-containing composite packaging is then fed to the shredding device 4. Specifically, the material containing metallic components is introduced into the working chamber 12 via the rotary valve 10. The rotating working shaft 22 and the impact elements 24 attached to it, which act upon the material, shred it. Simultaneously, the air guide vanes 25 generate a downward airflow. To regulate the temperature, water is also introduced into the working chamber 12 via the injection nozzle 26, ideally maintaining a temperature of approximately 80°C. The shredding of the introduced material is optimized by the presence of deflector bars 29 on the side wall of the screen basket, which project into the working chamber. The composite material is shredded in the working chamber 12 and remains there, or circulates there, until it exits the working chamber 12 via the outlet openings 15 and 16.

[0152] The shredded material is then fed to the eddy current separator 33, where it is separated into material components consisting primarily of plastic and cellulose on the one hand, and into metal-containing material components, particularly those containing aluminum, on the other. The metal-containing material components are then recirculated, if necessary, at least once, and preferably several times, in the shredding device 4 to be further shredded, particularly in contact with the outlet openings 15, 16, which are formed by an expanded metal mesh, so that ultimately only pure aluminum-containing components remain and are separated in the eddy current separator 33. This very pure aluminum fraction can then be used for recycling purposes.

[0153] It can also happen that after leaving the comminution device 4, the material does not consist of a pure aluminum fraction, but rather a composite of plastic film, in particular PE film, with an aluminum coating. In this case, an ultrasonic bath can be installed downstream of the eddy current separator 33, into which the metal-containing material components are directed in order to separate the aluminum coating from the plastic film.

[0154] The material components, consisting primarily of plastic and cellulose, which are separated in the eddy current separator 33, are then fed together with the shredded composite packaging without metal components to the air classification system 30, whereby material components consisting primarily of plastic are separated. The remaining material components, consisting primarily of cellulose, are fed to the further shredding device 35, where the cellulose is homogenized, sanitized, and / or purified. This cellulose fraction is then preferably used for the production of insulation materials.

[0155] The described method, which uses the arrangement 1 according to the invention, is therefore particularly suitable for very pure material separation, with the resulting material fractions each exhibiting high degrees of purity. In particular, it has been shown that a very pure aluminum fraction can be obtained in this way, so that aluminum from the composite material can be further used, thereby avoiding or saving a considerable amount of CO2 emissions compared to the production of new aluminum.

[0156] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a separation device, designed as an eddy current separator 33, according to the present invention. The eddy current separator 33 comprises a conveyor belt 37, which defines a conveying direction, indicated by arrows. Furthermore, the separation device comprises a head drum 38 in which a permanent magnet system is located, designed to generate, in particular, high-frequency alternating magnetic fields during rotations of the head drum 38. A partition plate 39 is preferably arranged near the head drum 38, by which the separation chambers for different components are separated.

[0157] Furthermore, the eddy current separator 33 includes a blower unit 40, which is designed to generate an airflow (represented by arrows) in the area of ​​the conveyor belt 37 in the conveying direction of the material. This acts on the material lying on the conveyor belt 37 and in the Fig.5 is transported to the right, there is practically no headwind, so that an unintentional turbulence of this material can be prevented. Reference symbol list 1. Arrangement 2. Pre-shredding plant 3 screw conveyors 4. Shredding device 5 cases 6 Ceiling wall 7 Perimeter wall 8 Feed arrangement 9 Feed opening 10 cell edge lock 11 sieve basket 12 Workroom 13 Base plate 14 Side wall 15 bottom-mounted outlet openings 16 side outlet openings 17 Competition room 18 discharge hoppers 19 Ring space 20 discharge pipe 21 discharge pipe 22 work wave 23 Electric motor 24 striking elements 25 air guide vanes 26 Injector nozzle 27 Vibrating Screening Plant 28 Sieve unit 29 encapsulated conveyor belt 30 wind screening systems 31 Impact strip 32 eddy current separators 33 Eddy current separators 34 encapsulated conveyor belt 35 more shredding devices 36 Shredding device 37 Conveyor belt 38 Head drum 39 Dividing plate 40 Blower unit QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] EP 2 788 544 B1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Device (4) for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, with a housing (5) in which a working space (12) for crushing / processing material is provided, wherein the working space (12) is limited by a bottom area and a surrounding side wall (14), a feeding arrangement (8) for feeding material into the working space (12), which is provided on a top side of the housing (5), a working shaft (22) extending vertically in the working space (12), which is rotatably mounted on the housing (5) about its longitudinal axis, wherein impact elements (24) are provided on the working shaft (22) for acting on the material introduced into the working space (12), and Drive means for driving the working shaft (22), wherein bottom outlet openings and / or side outlet openings (16) are formed in the bottom area of ​​the working chamber (12). [2] Arrangement (1) for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, comprising: - a comminution device (4) according to claim 1; - separation means downstream of the comminution device (4) for separating the material into different material fractions. [3] Arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the separation means comprise an air classification system (30). [4] Arrangement (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by , that the separation means comprise an eddy current separator (33) to separate metal-containing material components from other material components. [5] Arrangement (1) according to claim 4, characterized by, that the eddy current separator (33) has a working width of at least 1,000 mm, in particular at least 1,500 mm, preferably at least 2,000 mm, and / or that the eddy current separator is designed with at least 20 poles, in particular at least 30 poles, and / or at most 80 poles, in particular at most 60 poles, preferably 40 poles. [6] Arrangement (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by , that the eddy current separator (33) has a conveyor belt (37) and in particular a head drum (38), wherein the conveyor belt (37) is designed to convey the crushed material at a particularly continuous speed in a conveying direction, in particular in the direction of the head drum (38). [7] Arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the eddy current separator (33) has a blower device (40) which is designed to generate an airflow above the conveyor belt (37) in the conveying direction of the crushed material. [8] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by , that the conveyor belt (37) is encapsulated. [9] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized by , that the crushing device (4) and the eddy current separator (33) are connected to each other via suitable conveying means in order to feed material discharged from the crushing device (4) to the eddy current separator (33). [10] Arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized by, that the conveying means comprise encapsulated conveyor belts (34), and / or that the conveying means are designed in such a way as to allow a recirculation of material, in particular of metal-containing material components, from the eddy current separator (33) back to the comminution device (4). [11] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized by , that the eddy current separator (33) has a separation chamber into which non-metallic material components of the crushed material are directed. [12] Arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 11, characterized by , that the separation chamber of the eddy current separator (33) for non-metallic material components is connected to an air classification system (30) via suitable conveying means, so that non-metallic material components can be fed from the eddy current separator (33) to the air classification system (30). [13] Methods for crushing and / or processing material, in particular composite material, comprising the following steps: - Providing source material; - Comminution of the starting material in a comminution device (4) according to claim 1; - Separating the shredded material into different material fractions. [14] Method according to claim 13, characterized by , that the separation of the crushed material into different material fractions takes place in an eddy current separator (33) so that metal-containing material components are separated from other material components. [15] Method according to claim 14, characterized by , that in the eddy current separator (33) a separation takes place into material components consisting essentially of plastic and cellulose on the one hand and into metal-containing material components, in particular containing aluminium, on the other hand. [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by , that the metal-containing material components are recirculated into the comminution device (4) at least once, in particular several times, preferably at least five times, in order to bring about further comminution each time, or that the metal-containing material components are not recirculated. [17] Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized by , that the metal-containing material components pass through an ultrasonic bath in order to separate the plastic film and aluminum contained within them. [18] Method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized by , that the plastic and cellulose-containing material components separated in the eddy current separator (33) are subjected to an air classification to separate them into material components consisting mainly of plastic and material components consisting mainly of cellulose. [19] Method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized by , that a pre-comminuted comminution takes place before the comminution of the starting material in the comminution device (4), and / or that a separation into metal-containing materials and other materials takes place before feeding into the comminution device (4), so that only the metal-containing materials are fed into the comminution device (4). [20] Method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized by that the starting material is sanitized before being crushed in a crushing device, the sanitization preferably taking place at a temperature of at least 60 °C and / or at most 150 °C. [21] Method according to claim 20, characterized by that the sanitization takes place over a period of at least 5 minutes, in particular at least 10 minutes, and / or at most 30 minutes, in particular at most 20 minutes. [22] Fibre material consisting at least substantially of cellulose obtained by a process according to any one of claims 13 to 21 from composite material, in particular beverage composite material. [23] Fibre material according to claim 22, characterized by that this was obtained with an arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 12. [24] Use of the fibrous material according to one of claims 22 or 23 for the production of paper and / or for the production of gypsum fiber insulation and / or as insulation material, in particular in board form or as bulk material. [25] Separation device, in particular eddy current separator, with a conveyor belt on which material is conveyed, characterized by that the separation device further comprises a blower device which is designed to generate an airflow in the area of ​​the conveyor belt in the conveying direction of the material. [26] Separation device according to claim 25, characterized bythat this includes a head drum in the direction of which the conveyor belt can convey the material to be separated, wherein in particular a permanent magnet system is located in the head drum which is designed to generate in particular high-frequency alternating magnetic fields when the head drum rotates. [27] Separation device according to claim 25 or 26, characterized by that it is encapsulated in the area of ​​the conveyor belt.

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