Methods to support and / or simplify the recycling of a field device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for supporting and / or simplifying the recycling of a field device used in an industrial environment, hereinafter referred to as an old device, which is replaced by a replacement device, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: - On the side of the field equipment supplier, the address of a recycling company suitable for recycling the old equipment is determined, a corresponding shipping ticket is created, and a transport box is provided to the field equipment user that is dimensioned to be usable for holding the old equipment. - On the side of the field equipment user, the old device is placed in the transport box marked with the shipping ticket and sent to the address of the appropriate recycling company.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for supporting and / or simplifying the recycling of a field device used in an industrial environment, which is to be replaced by a replacement device. In connection with the invention, the field device to be replaced is hereinafter also referred to as the old device and the replacement device as the new device.

[0002] Various field devices are known from the prior art and are used in industrial automation systems – both in process automation and in manufacturing automation. For the purposes of this invention, field devices are defined as all devices that are used close to the process and that provide and / or process process-relevant information. Depending on their application, field devices detect and / or influence physical, chemical, or biological process parameters of at least one process medium.

[0003] Measuring devices, consisting of at least one sensor unit – also known as a transducer – and a transmitter unit, are used to record process variables of a medium. The sensor unit provides measured values ​​that are typically digitally processed in one or more measurement channels of the transmitter unit. This process is usually referred to as preprocessing the measured values. Raw measured values ​​are available at the output of the measurement channels and are further processed by a processing unit to determine the actual process variable. For example, if the measuring devices are used for pressure and temperature measurement, conductivity measurement, flow measurement, pH value, or level measurement, they provide information about the determined process variables: pressure, temperature, conductivity, flow rate, pH value, or level of a medium contained in a container.A large number of such measuring instruments are developed, manufactured and distributed by the Endress+Hauser Group.

[0004] Actuators such as pumps or valves are used to influence process variables, for example to determine or monitor the flow rate of a fluid medium in a pipeline or the fill level of a medium in a container.

[0005] In connection with the invention, the term "field device" also refers to a gateway or edge device used in an automation system. While a gateway enables communication between the field devices of an automation network and a computing unit not integrated into the automation system, an edge device in IIoT environments acts as a node between a fieldbus network of the automation technology and an external server unit or – more generally – the cloud.

[0006] Field devices are typically manufactured from a variety of materials and / or raw materials. Users of field devices often have limited knowledge of the specific materials used in their devices. However, field device manufacturers are well aware of these materials.

[0007] As mentioned, field devices consist of various materials and / or raw materials, some of which have considerable material value. For example, platinum and gold coatings are used in the manufacture of pH electrodes and printed circuit boards. Measuring tubes of Coriolis flowmeters can be made of titanium. Large quantities of stainless steel are used in standard flowmeters with large nominal diameters. Magnets are used in MID flowmeters.

[0008] Field devices have a limited lifespan. It is advisable, particularly for safety reasons in industrial environments, to replace a field device before it ceases to function or only functions inadequately. Furthermore, replacement can also be considered if a successor device offers improved measurement and / or monitoring capabilities.

[0009] Economical recycling is often very difficult for field equipment users, as it's not readily apparent which materials and / or material components are used in the equipment. For this reason, field equipment users often opt for the simplest method of disposal: discarded field equipment is collected, perhaps in a wire mesh container, and then taken to the bulky waste collection point or a nearby recycling facility. What happens to the old equipment after that is beyond the control of the former user. In terms of environmental protection and sustainability, it is crucial that discarded field equipment is recycled optimally. This requires the involvement of both the field equipment user and the manufacturer.While the field device user knows the application area of ​​the field device during its operating period and knows which process media the field device has come into contact with, the field device manufacturer has knowledge of the material composition of the field device.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of making a recycling process for a discarded field device or field device module effective and simple.

[0011] The invention is solved by a method according to claim 1.

[0012] The inventive method for supporting and / or simplifying the recycling of a field device used in an industrial environment or of an old device that is replaced by a replacement device or a new device comprises the following method steps: - On the side of the field equipment supplier, the address of a recycling company suitable for recycling the old device is determined, a corresponding shipping ticket is created and a transport box is provided to the user that is dimensioned so that it can be used to hold the old device, - On the side of the field equipment user, the old device is placed in the transport box marked with the shipping ticket and sent to the address of the appropriate recycling company.

[0013] A further development of the method according to the invention provides that the replacement device is delivered to the field device user in a transport box dimensioned so that it can subsequently be used to hold the old device. The field device user places the old device in the transport box, which is labeled with the shipping label, and sends the old device in the transport box to the address of the suitable recycling company indicated on the shipping label. The solution according to the invention significantly simplifies the disposal of the old device on the part of the field device user, while simultaneously ensuring that the old device is delivered to a recycling company suitable for disposal.

[0014] According to the invention, the field device manufacturer or field device supplier takes an active role in the recycling of an old device.

[0015] In conjunction with the method according to the invention, it is considered advantageous if the field device supplier and / or the field device user determines whether special requirements, in particular legal requirements, must be met when recycling the end-of-life device. This is regularly the case, for example, if a field device has come into contact with hazardous process media during its operating life and may be contaminated.

[0016] A further development of the inventive method provides that the recycling company is supplied with corresponding additional information about the use of the end-of-life device in an industrial environment. If the end-of-life device came into contact with a critical medium during its operational life in an industrial environment, a corresponding certificate is issued and forwarded to the recycling company. A reliable procedure is as follows: The at least one recycling certificate is placed in the transport box together with the end-of-life device and sent to the recycling company. The issuance of such a certificate can be carried out either by the field device supplier or by the field device user.

[0017] Furthermore, to further develop the inventive method, it is proposed that the recycling company be provided with additional information indicating which materials the waste equipment consists of or is composed of. It is also useful to provide the recycling company not only with basic material information but also with information on the respective masses of the individual materials used in the field device.

[0018] According to a further development of the inventive method, it is proposed that the knowledge that an acquired new device / replacement device is intended to replace an old device to be recycled and / or under what working conditions the old device was used is determined by the field device supplier as a matter of course, particularly during the sales process.

[0019] The method according to the invention is preferably used with field devices in automation technology. In particular, the old device and the new device are used to determine and / or monitor at least one physical, chemical, or biological process parameter of a medium. Examples of such field devices are already mentioned in the introduction to this patent application. As also explained in the introduction, the invention relates to all field devices that are used downstream in automation technology.

[0020] The term "field device" does not only refer to the field device as an integral unit or as a combination of several components; in connection with the invention, the term "field device" is also used when it refers to only one component of a field device that is to be recycled. As explained previously, there are field devices that are composed of modules, e.g., a measuring or actuating unit and a transmitter unit. If only one of these old modules is replaced by a new module, the method according to the invention is, of course, also ideally suited for recycling a field device module.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. They show: Fig. 1: a first embodiment of the method according to the invention and Fig. 2: a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. 1 describes a first embodiment of the method according to the invention. After the process is initiated in step 1, the field equipment supplier recognizes in step 2 that a new device is to be ordered to replace an old one. The old device itself is to be recycled. The field equipment supplier typically obtains this information during the sales process.

[0023] In process step 3, the field equipment supplier identifies a suitable recycling company for the old equipment. Ideally, the recycling company is located near the customer / field equipment user. A shipping label with the recycling company's address is generated (process step 4), and a suitable transport box for the old equipment is sent by the supplier / seller to the user / customer (process step 5). It is particularly advantageous if the transport box is used for two purposes: firstly, for delivering the new equipment to the user / customer, and secondly, for shipping the old equipment to the appropriate recycling company. Multiple uses of the transport box are also possible.

[0024] In step 6 of the process, the customer places the old device in the transport box labeled with the shipping ticket and sends it to the designated recycling company in step 7. In this way, the field equipment manufacturer / supplier makes it easier for the customer to dispose of their old device. Furthermore, it ensures that the old device is sent to a recycling company that also meets the requirements for the proper disposal of any old device classified as hazardous waste.

[0025] Fig.Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the method according to the invention. The process is started in process step 11. In process step 12, it is determined whether the new device is intended to replace an old device and whether the old device is to be recycled. In process step 13, a suitable recycling company is identified by the field device supplier. Furthermore, it is determined whether a recycling certificate must be issued for the old device (process step 14). If necessary, the field device supplier issues a recycling certificate and a shipping label with the address of the recycling company (process step 15). Alternatively, it is of course possible for the field device user to issue the recycling certificate themselves.

[0026] Furthermore, it is advisable to provide the recycling company with information about the materials used in the old device to be recycled.

[0027] As mentioned previously, it is very advantageous if the new device is delivered by the field equipment supplier in a transport box that is dimensioned so that the old device can then be placed in the transport box to be sent to the recycling company.

[0028] After the field equipment supplier sends the customer a suitable transport box for the old device (process step 16), the customer places the old device, possibly along with the recycling certificate, in the transport box labeled with the shipping ticket (process step 17). The transport box is then sent to the designated recycling company (process step 18).

[0029] The method according to the invention simplifies the recycling process for the customer, since the field device supplier takes all essential precautions for the correct disposal of an old device. Furthermore, it is ensured that the old device is sent to a recycling company that is ideally suited for recycling.

Claims

[1] Method to support and / or simplify the recycling of a field device used in an industrial environment, hereinafter referred to as the end-of-life device, which is replaced by an exchange device, wherein the method comprises the following process steps: - On the side of the field equipment supplier, the address of a recycling company suitable for recycling the old equipment is determined, a corresponding shipping ticket is created, and a transport box is provided to the field equipment user that is dimensioned to be usable for holding the old equipment. - On the side of the field equipment user, the old device is placed in the transport box marked with the shipping ticket and sent to the address of the appropriate recycling company. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein the replacement device is delivered by the field device supplier to the field device user in a transport box which is dimensioned in such a way that it can subsequently be used to accommodate the old device. [3] Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the field device supplier and / or the field device user determines whether special requirements, in particular legal requirements, must be met when recycling the old device. [4] Method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the recycling company is provided with appropriate additional information about the use of the waste equipment in an industrial environment. [5] Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, in the event that the old equipment has been contaminated with a critical medium during operation in an industrial environment, a corresponding certificate is drawn up and made available to the recycling company. [6] Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein additional information is provided to the recycling company which provides information about which materials are incorporated in the waste equipment to be recycled. [7] Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the additional information relevant for recycling the old device is added to the transport box by the field device supplier and / or the field device user. [8] Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the knowledge that an acquired new device / replacement device is intended to replace an old device to be recycled and / or under which process conditions the old device was installed is determined, in particular during the sales process, by the field device supplier. [9] Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the old device and the new device are preferably used in automation technology processes. [10] Method according to at least one of claims 1-9, wherein the old device and the new device are used to determine and / or monitor at least one physical, chemical or biological process parameter of a medium.

Images