Installation for processing bulk material and method for controlling the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a processing plant (100) for bulk material (102), in particular scrap or waste, comprising a bulk material supply (104) for bulk material (102), a feed conveyor (106) configured to provide a bulk material flow (108) from the bulk material supply (104) with an adjustable conveying rate, one or more sorting units (120a-b) configured to divide the bulk material flow (108) into two or more output fraction flows (128a-c), and a control unit (160, 170), wherein an output analysis unit (150) is provided for analyzing at least one of the output fraction flows (128a-c) in order to obtain an analysis result, and wherein the control unit (160, 170) is configured to control the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) depending on the To control the analysis result.The invention further relates to a method for operating a processing plant (100) for bulk material (102), in particular scrap or waste, preferably carried out using the aforementioned processing plant (100).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing plant for bulk materials, in particular scrap or waste, comprising a bulk material supply, a feed conveyor configured to provide a bulk material stream from the bulk material supply, one or more sorting units configured to divide the bulk material stream into two or more output fraction streams, and a control device. The present invention further relates to a method for operating a processing plant for bulk materials, in particular scrap or waste.

[0002] In the current state of the art, scrap metal or waste is processed by feeding it as input material into a processing plant with one or more sorting units. These units separate the input material into different output fractions, allowing the output fractions to be used more effectively than the original input material. The quantities and qualities of the output fractions are subject to considerable fluctuations, with the heterogeneous and unpredictable composition of the input material, as well as changing requirements for the output fractions, posing particular challenges for the processing plant.

[0003] Attempts are made to monitor the proper functioning of such processing plants by checking the machine parameters for correct operation and by sporadically and randomly examining the quality and quantity of the input material and output fractions visually and, in some cases, chemically and analytically. Furthermore, the processing plants are manually modified during downtime to optimize their operation. However, this approach requires a significant personnel commitment and sometimes does not yield satisfactory results.

[0004] Against this background, the present invention aims to provide a bulk material processing plant and a method for operating a bulk material processing plant, with which the processing plants can be operated more efficiently.

[0005] The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by a processing plant for bulk material, in particular scrap or waste, comprising a bulk material supply, a feed conveyor configured to provide a bulk material stream from the bulk material supply, one or more sorting units configured to divide the bulk material stream into two or more output fraction streams, and a control device, wherein an output analysis device is provided for analyzing at least one of the output fraction streams in order to obtain an analysis result, and wherein the control device is configured to control the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units depending on the analysis result.

[0006] It was determined that the typically fluctuating quantities and qualities of the input material represent an unknown variable that influences the overall processing in the processing plant and can lead to reduced plant efficiency. Manual modifications to the processing plant during downtime are not a suitable way to adequately address this.

[0007] It was also recognized that the processing can be effectively adapted to the fluctuating quantities and qualities of the input material and preferably also to fluctuating requirements for the output fractions by regulating the processing plant based on an automatic analysis of output fractions, so that the processing plant can be operated more effectively overall.

[0008] The processing plant is designed for bulk materials, especially scrap metal or waste, and can be used specifically for their processing. The scrap metal is preferably metal scrap, particularly aluminum scrap.

[0009] The processing plant has a bulk material storage area. This storage area could be, for example, a bunker or a silo in which bulk material to be processed by the plant, especially scrap metal or waste, can be stored.

[0010] The processing plant also includes a feed conveyor designed to supply a flow of bulk material from the bulk material storage area. The feed conveyor can be connected to the bulk material storage area or form a single unit with it. For example, the bulk material storage area and feed conveyor can be configured as a hopper conveyor, comprising a hopper as the bulk material storage area and a conveyor belt or a vibratory conveyor, such as a vibratory chute, for conveying a flow of bulk material from the storage area.

[0011] The feed conveyor is preferably designed to provide a bulk material flow from the bulk material supply at an adjustable conveying rate. The conveying rate can be adjusted, for example, by setting the speed of a conveyor belt or by adjusting the rotational speed of an unbalanced drive of a vibratory conveyor.

[0012] The processing plant can also have multiple bulk material stores and / or multiple feed conveyors.

[0013] The processing plant further comprises one or more sorting units designed to split the bulk material flow into two or more output fraction streams. Some of the sorting units may be arranged in a cascade configuration, such that the output stream of one sorting unit becomes the input stream of a subsequent sorting unit. Some of the sorting units may also be arranged in parallel, for example, to increase the throughput of the processing plant.

[0014] In operation, a sorting unit primarily splits an input flow into two or more output flows. The input flow, in this context, refers to the bulk material flow supplied to the respective sorting unit. An output flow, in this context, refers to the bulk material flow emanating from the respective sorting unit.

[0015] The input flow can be, for example, the bulk material flow supplied by the feed conveyor or, in the case of a parallel arrangement of sorting units, a portion thereof. Furthermore, the input flow can be, for example in a cascaded arrangement of sorting units, an output flow from an upstream sorting unit.

[0016] In the case of an output stream from a sorting unit, particularly in the case of a cascaded arrangement of sorting units, the output stream of the entire processing plant may be an output fraction stream.

[0017] The one or more sorting units can be designed for single-fragment sorting, in which essentially each individual fragment of the input stream of the respective sorting unit is sorted into one of the output streams of the respective sorting unit, specifically depending on the individual characteristics, for example composition, of the individual fragment in question.

[0018] For example, in a magnetic or eddy current separator, essentially each individual fragment is sorted according to its individual electrical properties.

[0019] The one or more sorting units can also be designed for bulk material stream section sorting, in which successive sections of a bulk material stream are fed to a respective output stream of the respective sorting unit, particularly depending on the properties of the section of the bulk material stream. For example, a sorting unit can have a sorting analysis device with which, for example, at predetermined intervals or continuously, an average quality, such as composition, of the bulk material stream conveyed by the sorting analysis device is determined. A corresponding section of the bulk material stream can then be fed to a respective output stream of the respective sorting unit depending on the average quality.

[0020] The processing plant further comprises an output analysis unit for analyzing at least one, preferably several, of the output fraction streams. The output analysis unit can include several analyzers for analyzing a respective output stream. The one or more analyzers are arranged, in particular, downstream of each sorting unit, or, in the case of cascaded sorting units, downstream of the last sorting unit.

[0021] The output analytical unit provides an analytical result. This result comprises, in particular, one or more results, preferably measured values, from analyses performed on the one or more output fraction streams using the output analytical unit. Specifically, the output analytical unit can continuously or quasi-continuously provide analytical results for the one or more output fraction streams.

[0022] The processing plant further comprises a control unit. The control unit preferably includes one or more microprocessors and one or more memory locations containing instructions, the execution of which on the one or more microprocessors controls the processing plant. The control unit can also include several sub-control units, which, for example, may be distributed across different components of the processing plant, such as a central control unit and individual control units at the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units, which are controlled by the central control unit.

[0023] The control unit is configured to control the feeder and / or the one or more sorting units depending on the analysis result. In particular, the control unit can be configured to evaluate the analysis results in order to obtain an evaluation result and to control the feeder and / or the one or more sorting units as a function of the evaluation result.

[0024] To control the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units, the control unit can be configured, in particular, to send control commands to a control unit of the feed conveyor and / or to a control unit of the one or more sorting units in order to effect control of the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units. During control, the control unit can, for example, adjust the feed rate of the feed conveyor or operating parameters of the one or more sorting units, such as sorting limits that define the allocation of bulk material into one or more output fractions.

[0025] The aforementioned problem is further solved according to the invention by a method for operating a processing plant for bulk material, in particular scrap or waste, preferably carried out using the processing plant described above or an embodiment thereof, in which a bulk material stream is provided by means of a feed conveyor, preferably with a predetermined conveying rate, in which the bulk material stream is divided into two or more output fraction streams by means of one or more sorting units, in which at least one of the output fraction streams is analyzed in order to obtain an analysis result, and in which the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units are controlled depending on the analysis result.

[0026] The bulk material flow is supplied by the feed conveyor, preferably continuously or quasi-continuously, at least over a certain period. Accordingly, the bulk material flow is preferably continuously divided by the one or more sorting units into two or more correspondingly continuous or quasi-continuous output fraction streams. The analysis of at least one of the one or more output fraction streams can also be performed continuously or quasi-continuously, for example, by analyzing the compositions and / or masses of successive segments of the continuous output fraction stream. Alternatively, the analysis can be performed at regular intervals, for example, by analyzing the compositions and / or masses of appropriately time-spaced segments of the continuous output fraction stream.

[0027] An analysis result can, in particular, include a snapshot analysis of the portion of the output fraction stream currently located within the area of ​​an output analysis unit. An analysis result can also include an analysis of a portion of the output fraction stream analyzed by the output analysis unit over a specified period, in particular, a portion that passes through the output analysis unit within that specified period.

[0028] When controlling the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units based on the analysis results, operating parameters of the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units can be adjusted accordingly. This allows the processing plant to be controlled based on the quality and / or quantity of the output fraction streams, enabling the processing to be adapted during operation to, for example, changing quality and / or composition of the bulk material being processed (i.e., the input material to the processing plant) or to changing requirements for the quality and / or composition of the output fraction streams.

[0029] By controlling the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units depending on the analysis result, real-time or quasi-real-time control of the processing plant is particularly possible, so that the processing plant can be operated more efficiently.

[0030] The analysis of the at least one output fraction stream can be performed completely or partially. In particular, the output fraction stream can be passed completely or partially through the output analysis unit. For example, it is conceivable that, for instance by means of a suitable diverter, a certain proportion, e.g., 50% by mass or volume, of the output fraction stream is fed to the output analysis unit, while the remaining proportion bypasses it. For a more reliable analysis result, preferably at least 20% by mass, more preferably at least 50% by mass, and in particular at least 80% by mass of the output fraction stream is analyzed or passed through the output analysis unit.

[0031] The following describes various embodiments of the processing plant and the process, with each embodiment applying independently to the processing plant and the process. Furthermore, the individual embodiments can be combined with one another as desired.

[0032] In one embodiment, the analysis result includes compositional information about the composition of at least one of the output fraction streams. For this purpose, the output analysis device is specifically designed to determine the composition of at least one output fraction stream, and in particular, of several output fraction streams. In this way, it is possible to control the operation of the processing plant to achieve a desired composition of the output fraction streams.

[0033] The composition information can include, in particular, information about the content of one or more alloying elements in the initial fraction stream. This allows the one or more initial fraction streams to be better adapted to a specific target specification.

[0034] The composition information can further include information on the content of organic components. In this way, the proportion of organic components in the one or more output fraction streams can be specifically adjusted, preferably limited to a predetermined maximum content. This is particularly advantageous in scrap processing, where it is beneficial to limit the content of organic components in output fraction streams intended for remelting. Preferably, the processing plant includes a sorting unit that feeds organic components into a residual output fraction.

[0035] The composition information can further include information on the content of inorganic, non-metallic impurities. In this way, the proportion of inorganic and non-metallic impurities in the one or more output fraction streams can be specifically adjusted, preferably limited to a predetermined maximum content, which is advantageous for remelting. Preferably, the processing plant includes a sorting unit that adds inorganic, non-metallic components to a residual output fraction.

[0036] The composition information preferably comprises information about the composition of a currently analyzed section of an initial fraction stream, in particular a section of an initial fraction stream that is currently located within the area of ​​the initial analysis device. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the composition information comprises information about the composition of a section of an initial fraction stream analyzed over a predetermined period.

[0037] In one embodiment, the output analytical device is configured for composition analysis using neutron activation analysis (NAA), in particular prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) or pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA), or laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS). In a corresponding embodiment, at least one of the output fraction streams is analyzed using neutron activation analysis (NAA), in particular prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) or pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA), or laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) to obtain the analytical result.

[0038] These analytical methods are well suited for the compositional analysis of bulk material flows. In particular, they can be used to determine the concentrations of alloying elements, organic impurities, and / or inorganic, non-metallic impurities. To determine the concentration of organic impurities, a carbon content determined using the aforementioned analytical methods can be used. To determine the concentration of inorganic, non-metallic impurities, a concentration of an element typical for these impurities, determined using the aforementioned analytical methods, can be used; for example, the calcium content of concrete as an inorganic, non-metallic impurity.

[0039] Neutron activation analysis and pulsed fast thermal neutron activation are preferred in this case because the neutrons penetrate relatively deeply into the bulk material and allow for a representative volumetric analysis of the initial fraction streams. Furthermore, these methods permit a representative analysis of large quantities of the initial fraction streams, enabling essentially complete analysis of one or more of them. In particular, these methods are well-suited for bulk material stream section sorting.

[0040] In contrast, LIBS is relatively surface-sensitive, but can be used particularly for homogeneous bulk material flows or as an additional analytical method for analyzing one or more initial fraction flows.

[0041] In prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA), the material to be analyzed is excited by a natural neutron source, for example, the californium isotope <252Cf. The material then emits gamma radiation, which is measured with a suitable detector. The evaluation of these measurement results allows the determination of the concentrations of various elements in the material.

[0042] Pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA) is based on the same fundamental measurement principle: exciting the material to be analyzed with neutrons and measuring the gamma radiation subsequently emitted by the material. However, unlike PGNAA, PFTNA uses an electrically driven neutron source instead of a natural neutron source, such as Cf, which can be switched on and off.

[0043] The electrically driven neutron source in PFTNA has the advantage over PGNAA that it can cover other energy ranges of the emitted neutrons, allowing, for example, the determination of the oxygen content in the material being analyzed. Determining the oxygen content enables an estimation of how much of the determined hydrogen content is bound to oxygen (as water) and how much of the determined hydrogen content is bound to carbon (as organic components). Therefore, PFTNA is preferred in this case, and the water content and / or the content of organic components are preferably determined, and in particular estimated, depending on the determined oxygen content, the determined hydrogen content, and preferably also the determined carbon content.

[0044] Both PGNAA and PFTNA can be used to perform compositional analysis of material conveyed on a conveyor belt. In particular, PGNAA and PFTNA can be used to determine the composition of a material stream, especially a bulk material stream, continuously or quasi-continuously.

[0045] In one embodiment, the analysis result includes information about the mass (weight) and / or volume of at least one of the output fraction streams. For this purpose, the output analysis device can have one or more weighing devices, for example, one or more belt scales, for weighing the one or more output fraction streams. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the output analysis device preferably includes a belt scale for measuring the mass of the at least one output fraction stream. For example, the mass of the output fraction stream present on the belt scale at a specific measurement time can be measured. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the belt scale is used to measure the mass of the output fraction stream passing over the belt scale for a predetermined period of time.

[0046] The mass and / or volume of the output fraction stream is therefore preferably a mass or volume value of the portion of the output fraction stream that is in the output analysis unit at a given time or that is transported through the output analysis unit over a given period of time.

[0047] The mass of a bulk material stream, such as the initial fraction stream, transported over a given period can also be referred to as the mass flow rate. Accordingly, the analysis result can include, in particular, information about the mass flow rate and / or the volumetric flow rate of at least one of the initial fraction streams.

[0048] In one embodiment, the one or more sorting units comprise at least one sorting unit configured to analyze an input stream supplied to the sorting unit using a sorting analysis device in order to obtain a sorting analysis result, and to divide the input stream into two or more output streams depending on the sorting analysis result. In a corresponding embodiment, particularly of the method, when dividing the bulk material stream into two or more output fraction streams, an input stream supplied to at least one of the one or more sorting units is analyzed to obtain a sorting analysis result, and the input stream is divided into two or more output streams depending on the sorting analysis result. The sorting analysis result preferably includes compositional information about the composition of the input stream.In this way, the sorting unit can be used to sort according to different compositions.

[0049] The sorting and analysis device can be configured in particular to determine the average quality of a section of the input stream and, in particular, to perform bulk material stream section sorting, in which different sections of the input stream are fed to the different output streams.

[0050] Alternatively, the sorting and analysis device can be configured to analyze the properties of individual bulk material fragments and, in particular, to perform single-fragment sorting, in which the fragments of the input stream are fed fragment by fragment to the various output streams. Prior to such single-fragment sorting, the input stream can be singulated. For this purpose, a singulation device can be provided.

[0051] The sorting and analysis system can, for example, be configured for composition analysis using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS). This analytical method is particularly well-suited for single-fragment sorting, as the laser beam can be precisely directed at individual fragments. It is also conceivable that the sorting and analysis system is configured for composition analysis using neutron activation analysis (NAA), specifically prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA), or pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA). These analytical methods are particularly well-suited for sorting bulk material sections, as they enable the simultaneous analysis of a bulk material volume containing many individual fragments.

[0052] In a further embodiment, the one or more sorting units comprise at least one sorting unit that physically splits the input stream into two or more output streams. In particular, the one or more sorting units can comprise one or more of the following sorting units: magnetic separators, eddy current separators, air classifiers, and screening devices. In this way, bulk material fragments can be separated from one another based on their physical properties without requiring a separate analysis of the properties, especially composition analysis.

[0053] If required, the control unit can also adjust the operating parameters of such sorting units to control the processing plant depending on the analysis results. For example, in a magnetic separator, the distance and / or strength of the magnet to the bulk material flow can be adjusted, in an air classifier, the speed of the blower can be adjusted, and in a screening device, the vibration frequency and / or amplitude can be adjusted to change the operating points of these sorting units.

[0054] In one embodiment, controlling the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units includes: a comparison of the analysis result with one or more target specifications and an adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units if the analysis result is outside one or more of the target specifications.

[0055] In this way, the characteristics of one or more output fraction streams can be specifically controlled, particularly when the quality and / or characteristics of the bulk material fed into the processing plant fluctuate. A target value can be, for example, a target parameter, especially a setpoint value, preferably with a permissible tolerance range. Furthermore, the target value can be a limit value, such as a maximum or minimum value. Alternatively, the target value can be a target range, especially with a specified minimum and maximum value.

[0056] The target values ​​can include, in particular, target values ​​for the concentrations of one or more elements, especially alloying components. In this way, the composition of the relevant initial fraction stream can be adapted to a predetermined specification. Specifically, the predetermined specification can be easily changed in this way by adjusting the corresponding target values ​​for the concentrations.

[0057] If, for example, it is determined that a maximum or minimum value for a certain content is exceeded or not reached, the corresponding sorting limit for a sorting unit can be adjusted so that bulk material fragments and / or bulk material flow sections with lower or higher values ​​for the relevant content are directed to a corresponding output stream of the sorting unit. In particular, the control unit can send appropriate control commands to a sorting unit to modify its operating parameters accordingly.

[0058] Furthermore, the target values ​​can also include a target value for the total mass or total mass flow rate of several or all output fraction streams of the processing plant. In this way, for example, the throughput of the processing plant can be maintained within a specified range. If, for example, it is determined that the total mass or total mass flow rate of all output fraction streams of the processing plant (throughput of the processing plant) is too low or too high, the feeder can be controlled to increase or decrease the feed rate. In particular, the operating parameters of the feeder can be adjusted to increase or decrease the feed rate, for example, by the control unit sending corresponding control commands to the feeder, such as to a feeder control unit of the feeder.The operating parameters of a feed conveyor with a vibratory feeder can include, for example, the rotational speed of an unbalanced motor or, if the vibratory feeder is a vibratory chute, the angle of inclination of the chute.

[0059] Furthermore, the target specifications can also include target specifications relating to a mass ratio of several output currents to each other.

[0060] Comparing the analysis results with the target values ​​and / or adjusting one or more operating parameters can be repeated, preferably at predetermined intervals. These predetermined intervals are preferably long enough that the applicable operating parameters are only adjusted when the analysis result underlying the change takes into account portions of the bulk material flow that were already affected by the previous change in operating parameters. This prevents changes to operating parameters based on an analysis result from a portion of the bulk material flow processed with outdated operating parameters. This, in turn, prevents over-regulation of the processing plant.

[0061] The analysis results can be presented as averaged measurement results, particularly in the case of composition analysis using PGNAA or PFTNA. For example, the initial analytical instrument can perform repeated measurements and average the results across measurements taken within a specified time period, such as 30 seconds. This improves the measurement statistics and thus reduces statistical error. Alternatively, the analysis results can be derived from the direct measurement data of a single measurement taken with the initial analytical instrument, such as a PGNAA or PFTNA measurement.

[0062] In one embodiment, particularly the processing plant, the control unit is configured to statistically evaluate one or more analysis results obtained by the output analysis unit in order to obtain an evaluation result, and preferably to control the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units depending on the evaluation result. In a corresponding embodiment, particularly the method, one or more obtained analysis results are statistically evaluated to obtain an evaluation result, and preferably the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units are controlled depending on the evaluation result.

[0063] In addition to the analysis results, further statistical parameters can be derived from them. For example, the standard deviation of the measured values ​​for the content of an element, particularly an alloying element, can serve as a measure of the dispersion for the element under investigation. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the quality of the raw materials and / or the quality of the sorting process.

[0064] Furthermore, sorting results can be generated from analytical values, organic content, and moisture content and assigned to the respective scrap. This allows for the determination of whether and how there is variation in the measurement results for the scrap source in question. These results can be used to achieve consistent quality or to identify quality fluctuations. This is possible for both internal and external scrap sources.

[0065] For external scrap sources, supplier evaluations can be generated, for example. For internal scrap sources, changes to scrap collection / composition can be initiated. Therefore, simply determining the evaluation result provides an advantage, regardless of whether the result is directly used to control components of the processing plant or not.

[0066] In addition, the evaluation result can also be used to control the processing plant, in particular the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units, in order to adjust them, for example, to the fluctuations in the quality of the processed scrap or to the statistically occurring content ranges of certain elements in the scrap.

[0067] The evaluation results or the statistical data and / or analysis results obtained can also be used for more informed long-term planning in order to improve planning accuracy.

[0068] In one embodiment, when operating a processing plant to process a bulk material stream from a predetermined quantity of scrap, analysis results from a previous operation of the processing plant, preferably from the same scrap source, are used to configure and / or control the processing plant, in particular to configure and / or control the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units. In this way, for example, analysis or evaluation results obtained during a previous processing operation can be used for more efficient operation of the processing plant. The predetermined quantity of scrap and the previous predetermined quantity of scrap preferably originate from the same scrap source, for example, from the same scrap dealer or the same production plant.In this way, knowledge contained in the analysis results and / or evaluation results, for example regarding quality, composition and / or their fluctuations, can be taken into account, especially even before the processing of the specified quantity of scrap metal begins.

[0069] For these purposes, the use of machine learning (AI), particularly a neural network, is conceivable. By training a neural network with the already acquired data, especially analysis and / or evaluation results from the processing of the previous predetermined quantity of scrap, or by processing the already acquired data, the settings of the processing plant, especially the one or more sorting units, can be adjusted according to sorting parameters determined by the neural network even before the first material of the (new) predetermined quantity of scrap has passed through. The specific patterns and characteristics from the analysis and / or evaluation results of one or more previous predetermined quantities of scrap thus form a basis for the operation of the processing plant with the now predetermined (new) quantity of scrap.Additionally, the use of AI-based systems can create new features and parameters to identify important correlations and dependencies.

[0070] In one embodiment, particularly of the method, one or more of the initial fraction streams are used for charging in one or more remelting processes, with the charging preferably depending on the analysis result. The analysis of the initial fraction streams provides reliable information about the composition, element distribution, and / or mass of the initial fraction streams, which can be used for subsequent charging of one or more of the initial fraction streams. In particular, the initial fraction streams can be assigned to an alloy class based on the analysis result. Furthermore, the concentrations of certain elements included in the analysis result can be used for charging planning. It is also conceivable that COz balances of the delivered scrap and the planned batch can be taken into account.

[0071] In this context, "charging" refers specifically to the selection of starting materials for melting a metal melt, particularly an aluminum melt, with a predetermined specification, especially with predetermined element content limits and / or a predetermined CO₂ balance. The starting materials preferably comprise one or more of the initial fraction streams or subsets thereof. Furthermore, the starting materials may include primary metal, particularly primary aluminum, other scrap, and / or alloying elements, for example, copper, titanium, etc.

[0072] Further features and advantages of the processing plant and the process will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the attached drawing.

[0073] The drawing shows Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the processing plant, Fig. 2 shows the bulk material supply and the feed conveyor of the processing plant. Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 one of the sorting units of the processing plant made of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 a flowchart of an embodiment of the method for operating the processing plant from Fig. 1 .

[0074] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of the processing plant. The processing plant 100 is designed for bulk material 102, specifically scrap metal, in particular aluminum scrap. Alternatively, the processing plant 100 could also be configured to process other bulk materials, such as waste.

[0075] The processing plant 100 includes a bulk material storage area 104 for the bulk material 102 in the form of a bunker. A feed conveyor 106 with a vibrating chute is connected to the bulk material storage area 104, with which a bulk material flow 108 can be provided from the bulk material storage area 104 by feeding the bulk material flow 108 with the feed conveyor 106 onto a feed point 110 of a conveyor belt system 112.

[0076] The bulk material storage 104 and the feed conveyor 106 are in Fig. 2The feed conveyor is shown in a schematic sectional view from the side. It comprises a chute 107 located below the bulk material storage area 104, so that the bulk material 104 reaches the chute 107 by gravity. The inclination of the chute 107 can be adjusted via a provided adjusting drive 113. Furthermore, during operation, the chute 107 is vibrated by a provided unbalanced drive 114, thereby conveying the bulk material 102 as a bulk material flow 108 to the feed point 110 of the conveyor belt system 112. The feed conveyor 106 also includes a feed conveyor control unit 116 for controlling the adjusting drive 113 and the unbalanced drive 114.The feed conveyor control unit 116 allows the conveying rate at which the bulk material flow 108 is provided to be set, for example by controlling the adjustment drive 113 to adjust the inclination of the chute 107 and / or by controlling the unbalance drive 114 to adjust its speed.

[0077] The processing plant 100 further comprises two sorting units 120a-b, each of which is designed to split an input stream 122a-b into two output streams 124a, 126a and 124b, 126b respectively.

[0078] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of sorting unit 120a. Sorting unit 120b can be configured accordingly.

[0079] The sorting unit 120a includes a sorting analysis unit 130 that analyzes the input stream 122a. The sorting analysis unit 130 can be configured, for example, for LIBS or PGNAA analysis. Furthermore, the sorting unit 120a includes a sorting unit 132 that can selectively feed individual bulk material fragments or, alternatively, entire sections of the input stream 122a to either the first output stream 124a or the second output stream 126a. The sorting unit 120a also includes a sorting control unit 134, which is configured to control the sorting unit 132 depending on the composition of the individual bulk material fragments analyzed by the sorting analysis unit 130 or the average composition of a section of the input stream 122a.

[0080] For this purpose, the sorting control unit 134 can, for example, have a memory in which a parameter set with one or more parameters for controlling the sorting unit 132 is stored, depending on the analyzed composition. The parameter set can, for example, include lower and / or upper limits for one or more element contents, such as Fe, Zn, etc.The sorting control unit 134 can be configured to direct the input current 122a to the first output current 124a by appropriately controlling the sorting unit 132, as long as the average composition of the input current 122a analyzed by the sorting analysis unit 130 lies within these lower and / or upper limits, and to direct the input current 122a to the second output current 124b if the average composition of the input current 122a analyzed by the sorting analysis unit 130 lies outside one or more of these lower and / or upper limits. In this way, different sections of the input current 122a are directed to the first or second output current 124a-b, depending on their respective average composition.

[0081] The sorting units 120a and 120b are arranged in a cascade configuration. For this purpose, the conveyor system 112 is configured such that the bulk material flow 108 provided by the feed conveyor 106 is first fed to the sorting unit 120a as input flow 122a, and the output flow 124a of the sorting unit 120a is then fed to the sorting unit 120b as input flow 124b. The output flow 124a of the sorting unit 120a and the output flows 124b and 126b of the sorting unit 120b represent the output fraction flows 128a-c of the processing plant 100, which are fed to a respective collection station 140, 142, or 144 via the conveyor system 112.

[0082] The output fraction streams 128a-b are in particular output fraction streams with a specified target specification, and the output fraction stream 128c is the remaining residue.

[0083] Collection stations 140 and 142 each have two containers 146a-b and 148a-b, respectively, which can be accessed via the conveyor belt system 112. This allows filled containers to be exchanged for empty ones while the processing plant 100 is in operation. Collection station 144 has one large container 149 in which the residue remaining after sorting is collected.

[0084] The processing plant 100 further comprises an output analyzer 150 with a first analyzer 152, a second analyzer 154, and a third analyzer 156. The first analyzer 152 is intended for analyzing the output fraction stream 128a, the second analyzer 154 is intended for analyzing the output fraction stream 128b, and the third analyzer 156 is intended for analyzing the output fraction stream 128c. For this purpose, the conveyor belt system 112 is configured such that the respective output fraction stream 128a-c is guided through the respective analyzer 152, 154, or 156. The analyzers 152, 154 are preferably each equipped for composition analysis of the respective output fraction stream 128a-b by means of neutron activation analysis (NAA), in particular by means of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) or by means of pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA).These analytical methods allow for the essentially complete analysis of sections of an initial fraction stream 128a-b. In particular, the compositions of successive sections of the respective initial fraction stream 128a-b can be determined using the analytical instruments 152 and 154. Furthermore, the first and second analytical instruments 152 and 154 preferably comprise a belt scale for measuring the mass or mass flow rate of the respective initial fraction stream 128a-b. The analytical instrument 156 comprises a belt scale for measuring the mass or mass flow rate of the initial fraction stream 128c.

[0085] The processing plant 100 further comprises a central control unit 160 for controlling the processing plant 100. The central control unit 160 is connected via wired or wireless data connections 162 to the analyzers 152, 154, 156 in order to obtain the analysis results from the analyses of the output fraction streams 128a-c. Furthermore, the central control unit 160 is connected via wired or wireless data connections 162 to the feed conveyor 106, in particular to its feed conveyor control unit 116, as well as to the sorting units 120a-b, in particular to their respective sorting control units 134, in order to control them and optionally to obtain information about the sorting carried out at the sorting units 120a-b.

[0086] The central control unit 160, the feed conveyor control unit 116 and the sorting control units 134 together form a control unit 170 of the processing plant 100.

[0087] The operation of the processing plant 100, controlled by the control unit 170, is described below using the flowchart in Fig. 4 described.

[0088] Fig. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of the method for operating a processing plant, namely the processing plant 100 from Fig. 1 .

[0089] In process 200, bulk material, namely in the present embodiment scrap 102 to be processed, which comprises a large number of scrap fragments and possibly impurities, is placed in the bunker 104 (step 202).

[0090] The feed conveyor 106 is operated by the feed conveyor control unit 116 with a feed conveyor parameter set A, which specifies the inclination of the chute 107 and the rotational speed of the unbalanced drive 114, and thus the conveying rate (step 204). The bulk material flow 108 is thereby transported at the specified conveying rate as input flow 122a to the sorting unit 120a and sorted there into the output flows 124a-b, whereby the sorting device 132 of the sorting unit 120a is operated by the sorting control unit 134 of the sorting unit 120a with a first sorting parameter set S1 (step 206).

[0091] The sorting control unit 134 of the first sorting unit 152 can, for example, be configured to direct sections of the input current 122a to the first output current 124a whose average composition lies within lower and / or upper limits specified in parameter set S1 for certain elements, for example Fe, Zn, and to direct the remaining sections of the input current 122a to the second output current 126a (step 208). Alternatively, the first sorting unit 152 can be configured for single-fragment sorting, wherein the sorting control unit 134 is configured to direct single fragments of the input current 122a whose composition lies within the lower and / or upper limits specified in parameter set S1 to the first output current 124a and the remaining single fragments of the input current 122a to the second output current 126a.

[0092] The first output current 124a is analyzed by the first analyzer 152, whereby the composition and mass of the first output current 124a are measured at predetermined intervals (step 210). After the analysis, the output current 124a is fed to the collection station 140 (step 212).

[0093] The second output current 126a is fed to the second sorting unit 154 as input current 122b and sorted there into output currents 126a-b, whereby the sorting device 132 of the sorting unit 120b is operated by the sorting control device 134 of the sorting unit 120b with a second sorting parameter set S2 (step 214). The sorting control device 134 of the second sorting unit 154 can, for example, be configured to direct sections of the input current 122b to the first output current 124b whose average composition lies within lower and / or upper limits specified in parameter set S2 for certain elements, for example Fe, Zn, and to direct the remaining sections of the input current 122b to the second output current 126b (step 216). Alternatively, the second sorting unit 154 can be configured for single-fragment sorting.

[0094] The first output current 124b is analyzed by the second analyzer 154, whereby the composition and mass of the first output current 124b are measured at predetermined intervals (step 218). After the analysis, the output current 124b is fed to the collection station 142 (step 220).

[0095] The second output current 126b is analyzed by the third analyzer 156, whereby the mass of the second output current 126b is measured at predetermined intervals (step 222). After the analysis, the output current 126b is fed to the collection station 144 (step 224).

[0096] The previously described steps 202 to 224 can, in principle, run in parallel. In particular, the feed conveyor can continuously provide a bulk material stream 108 over a certain period of time, which is continuously divided into the output fraction streams 128a-c by the sorting units 120a-b.

[0097] The central control unit 160 receives analysis results from the analyzers 152, 154, 156 based on the analyses performed on the output fraction streams 128a-c (steps 226a-c). Optionally, the central control unit 160 can receive further information from the feeder 106, for example, about the current settings of the feeder 106 (step 226d), and / or information from the sorting units 120a-b (steps 226e-f), for example, about the utilization of the sorting units 120a-b, about the allocation rate to the first or second output stream 124a and 126a or 124b and 126b, and / or about material statistics for the respective input stream 122a-b.

[0098] Furthermore, the central control unit 160 can receive external data (step 226g), for example about desired alloy specifications for one or more of the output fraction streams, for example the output fraction streams 128a and 128b.

[0099] The central control unit 160 evaluates the data obtained in steps 226a-g (step 228) and controls the feed conveyor 106 (step 230a) and / or the sorting units 120a-b (step 230b) as a function of this evaluation, in particular by changing the parameter sets A, S1 and S2 with which the feed conveyor 106 and the sorting units 120a-b are operated.

[0100] For example, if the control unit 160 determines that the sum of the masses or mass flows of the output fraction streams 128a-c is below a predetermined minimum throughput, the control unit 160 increases the conveying rate of the feed conveyor 106. Conversely, if the control unit 160 determines that the utilization of the sorting units 120a-b is too high, the control unit 160 reduces the conveying rate of the feed conveyor 106.

[0101] For example, if the control unit 160 determines that the composition of one of the output fraction streams 128a-b is outside a specified range, the control unit 160 tightens the parameter set of the sorting unit 120a-b for the output fraction stream 128a-b, in particular by increasing a lower limit or reducing an upper limit of an element that is outside the specification.If, on the other hand, the control device 160 determines that the mass fraction of one of the output fraction streams 128a-b is too low compared to the sum of the masses of the output fraction streams 128a-c, or that the mass of the output fraction stream 128c of the residual material is too high, the control device 160 expands the parameter set of the sorting unit 120a-b in question, in particular by reducing a lower limit or increasing an upper limit for sorting into the respective first output stream 124a-b.

[0102] In this way, the processing plant 100, in particular the operating points of the respective units of the processing plant 100, especially the feed conveyor 106 and the sorting units 120a-b, can be controlled during operation by means of an analysis of the output fraction streams 128a-c. In particular, the operation of the processing plant 100 can thus be adapted to changing compositions of the scrap 102 and / or changing requirements for the qualities and compositions of the output fraction streams 128a-c.

[0103] The control of the feed conveyor 106 and the sorting units 120a-b, in particular the adjustment of the respective parameter sets A, S1, S2, by the control unit 160 preferably takes place at predetermined time intervals. These time intervals are specifically designed so that the bulk material flow has been processed sufficiently since the previous adjustment of the parameter sets to reach at least the analyzers 152, 154, and 156 before the next adjustment of the parameter sets is made. This reduces the risk of over-regulating the processing plant.

[0104] The control unit 160 can further be configured to calculate container information 180 about the composition and / or mass of the bulk material currently contained in a container 146a-b, 148a-b of the collection stations 140, 142, from the information received by the analyzers 152, 154 about the composition and mass of the initial fraction streams 128a-b, and to assign this information to the respective container. This container information 180 can, for example, be taken into account for subsequent use of the container, such as in batch planning 182. Reference symbol list:

[0105] 100 Processing plant 102 Bulk material (scrap) 104 Bulk material stock 106 Feed conveyor 107 Chute 108 Bulk material flow 110 Feed point 112 Conveyor belt system 113 Adjustment drive 114 Unbalance drive 116 Feed conveyor control unit 120a-b Sorting unit 122a-b Input flow 124a-b, 126a-b Output flow 128a-c Output fraction flow 130 Sorting analysis unit 132 Sorting unit 134 Sorting control unit 140, 142, 144 Collection station 146a-b, 148a-b, 149 Container 150 Output analysis unit 152, 154 Analyzer 160 Central control unit 162 Data connections 170 Control unit 180 Container information 182Charge planning 200Procedure 202 - 230Steps of the procedure

Claims

1. Processing plant (100) for bulk material (102), in particular scrap or waste, - with a bulk material supply (104) for bulk material (102), - with a feed conveyor (106) which is configured to provide a bulk material flow (108) from the bulk material supply (104), preferably with an adjustable conveying rate, - with one or more sorting units (120a-b) which are configured to divide the bulk material flow (108) into two or more output fraction flows (128a-c), and - with a control device (160, 170), characterized by - that an output analytical device (150) is provided for the analysis of at least one of the output fraction streams (128a-c) in order to obtain an analytical result, and - that the control unit (160, 170) is designed to control the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) depending on the analysis result.

2. Processing plant according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatThe analysis result includes composition information about the composition of at least one of the initial fraction streams (128a-c).

3. Processing plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the output analytical unit (150) is set up for composition analysis by neutron activation analysis (NAA), in particular by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) or by pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA), or by laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS).

4. Processing plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the analysis result includes information about the mass and / or volume of at least one of the initial fraction streams (128a-c).

5. Processing plant according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact thatthe output analysis device (150) comprises a belt scale for measuring the mass of the at least one output fraction stream (128a-c).

6. Processing plant according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the one or more sorting units (120a-b) comprise at least one sorting unit (120a-b) which is configured to analyze an input stream (122a-b) supplied to the sorting unit (120a-b) by means of a sorting analysis device (130) in order to obtain a sorting analysis result, and to divide the input stream (122a-b) into two or more output streams (124a-b, 126a-b) depending on the sorting analysis result.

7. Processing plant according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that comprising one or more sorting units (120a-b) of one or more of the following sorting units: magnetic separator, eddy current separator, air classifier and screening device.

8. Processing plant according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that Controlling the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) includes: - comparing the analysis result with one or more target values ​​and - adjusting one or more operating parameters of the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) if the analysis result is outside one or more of the target values.

9. Processing plant according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that The control unit is designed to statistically evaluate one or more analysis results obtained from the output analysis unit in order to obtain an evaluation result, and preferably to control the feed conveyor and / or the one or more sorting units depending on the evaluation result.

10. Method for operating a processing plant (100) for bulk material (102), in particular scrap or waste, preferably carried out using a processing plant (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, - in which a bulk material stream (108) is provided by a feed conveyor (106), preferably with a predetermined conveying rate, - in which the bulk material stream (108) is divided into two or more output fraction streams (128a-c) by means of one or more sorting units (120a-b), - in which at least one of the output fraction streams (128a-c) is analyzed in order to obtain an analysis result, and - in which the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) are controlled depending on the analysis result.

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized by the fact thatThe analysis result includes composition information about the composition of at least one of the initial fraction streams (128a-c) and / or information about the mass and / or volume of at least one of the initial fraction streams (128a-c).

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that which analyzes at least one of the output fraction streams by means of neutron activation analysis (NAA), in particular by means of prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) or by means of pulsed fast thermal neutron activation (PFTNA), or by means of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIBS) to obtain the analysis result.

13. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the fact thatWhen the bulk material stream (108) is divided into two or more output fraction streams (128a-c), an input stream (122ab) supplied to at least one of the one or more sorting units (120a-b) is analyzed to obtain a sorting analysis result, and the input stream is divided into two or more output streams (124a-b, 126a-b) depending on the sorting analysis result.

14. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by the fact that Controlling the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) depending on the analysis result includes: - comparing the analysis result with one or more target values ​​and - adjusting one or more operating parameters of the feed conveyor (106) and / or the one or more sorting units (120a-b) if the analysis result is outside one or more of the target values.

15. Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by the fact thatone or more of the initial fraction streams are used for charging in one or more melting processes, the charging preferably depending on the analysis result.

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