Intelligent three-gate waste separation and energy recovery system

Abstract

An intelligent waste separation and energy recovery system with three gates, comprising: an intelligent waste container arrangement (15) with an automatic lid mechanism (20) for contactless waste disposal; a mechanical separation unit (25) with three gates, arranged in the intelligent waste container arrangement (15) and comprising several selectively actuated gates that direct the incoming waste into predetermined paths; a multi-sensor array connected to the mechanical separation unit (25), comprising: an odor sensor (30) for detecting volatile compounds indicative of decomposition, a moisture sensor (35) for determining the moisture content of the waste, a color sensor (40) for identifying the surface properties of the waste, an ultrasonic sensor (45) for detecting the presence and fill level of waste, and a load cell (50) for measuring the waste weight and monitoring capacity;a control unit (55) connected to the multisensor array and the mechanical triple separator (25), wherein the control unit (55) processes sensor data using predefined logic and sensor fusion techniques to classify the waste as biodegradable or non-biodegradable and to actuate at least one gate of the mechanical triple separator (25); an underground storage chamber (60) that receives non-biodegradable waste from the mechanical triple separator (25), wherein the underground storage chamber (60) is sealed to minimize odor emissions and prevent pollution; a biodegradable decomposition chamber (65) that receives biodegradable waste from the mechanical triple separator (25), wherein the biodegradable decomposition chamber (65) is designed for anaerobic digestion to produce biogas;a biogas collection unit (70) which is fluidically connected to the biodegradable decomposition chamber (65) and collects the biogas produced; an energy conversion module (75) which is connected to the biogas collection unit (70) and converts the biogas into electrical energy; a rechargeable battery unit (80) which is electrically connected to the energy conversion module (75) and stores the electrical energy and supplies power to at least the control unit (55), the multisensor arrangement, the mechanical triple separator (25) and the automatic lid mechanism (20);and a thermoelectric generator module (85) that is thermally coupled to the biodegradable decomposition chamber (65) and exposed to the ambient conditions, wherein the thermoelectric generator module (85) is configured to generate electrical energy based on a temperature gradient between the decomposition chamber (65) and the environment and to supply the generated electrical energy to the rechargeable battery unit (80).