Treatment system and treatment method

Abstract

To provide a treatment system for efficiently recovering a recyclable substance.SOLUTION: A treatment system 1 has a supply device 10, a switching mechanism 20, a thermal decomposition device 30 and a first recovery device 50. The supply device 10 continuously or intermittently supplies a treatment object to a supply pipe 11 having a branch part. The switching mechanism 20 a flow channel to be treated in the branch part so as to select the flow channel. The thermal decomposition device 30 receives the treatment object on each downstream of a plurality of branched supply pipes, and irradiates the received treatment object with microwaves, and thermally decomposes the treatment object. The first recovery device 50 sequentially recovers a first product containing a fluid produced by thermal decomposition from the plurality of thermal decomposition devices.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing system and a processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technique called chemical recycling that decomposes waste plastic and extracts reusable materials.

[0003] For example, the treatment device described in Patent Document 1 heats waste plastics, thermally decomposes chlorine-based polymers to generate chlorine compounds, and separates the waste plastics into molten waste plastics and the chlorine compounds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-317072 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Further improvements in recycling technology are expected to help realize a circular economy.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a processing system and the like that efficiently recovers reusable substances. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The processing system according to the present disclosure includes a supply device, a switching mechanism, a pyrolysis device, and a first recovery device. The supply device continuously or intermittently supplies the object to be processed to a supply pipe having a branched section. The switching mechanism switches the flow path of the object to be processed in the branched section so as to be selectable. The pyrolysis device receives the object to be processed downstream of each of the branched multiple supply pipes, and irradiates the received object with microwaves to pyrolyze it. The first recovery device sequentially recovers a first product including a fluid generated by pyrolysis from the multiple pyrolysis devices.

[0008] In the processing method according to the present disclosure, a processing system executes the following processing. The processing system continuously or intermittently supplies the object to be processed to a supply pipe having a branched portion. The processing system sequentially selects a flow path of the object to be processed at the branched portion. The processing system supplies the object to the selected pyrolysis device among pyrolysis devices provided in each of a plurality of branched supply pipes. The processing system causes the pyrolysis device that receives the object to pyrolyze the object to be processed. The processing system sequentially recovers fluid generated after pyrolysis from the plurality of pyrolysis devices. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a processing system and a processing method for efficiently recovering reusable substances. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a processing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a processing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a flowchart of a processing method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing state changes of a switching mechanism and a pyrolysis device. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pyrolysis device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows a first state of the pyrolysis apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a second state of the pyrolysis apparatus. [Figure 8] 1 is a flow chart showing a processing method of a pyrolysis device. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of a processing system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present invention will be described below through the embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a processing system according to the first embodiment. The processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of each component for easy understanding. The processing system 1 thermally decomposes a processing target M10 to recover a first product M21 and a second product M22. The processing system 1 mainly includes a supply device 10, a switching mechanism 20, a thermal decomposition device 30, a pressure control valve 40, a first recovery device 50, a second recovery device 70, and a control device 80.

[0013] In this disclosure, components with the same reference numerals have the same function or configuration. In addition, multiple components shown in this disclosure may have a different alphabet after the reference numeral with the same number. In this case, components with different alphabets are different but have the same function or configuration.

[0014] The supply device 10 continuously or intermittently supplies the processing object M10 to a supply pipe 11 having a branched portion. The supply device 10 is an extrusion device that continuously extrudes the heated and kneaded processing object M10 into the supply pipe. The supply device 10 may be an injection device that intermittently injects the heated and kneaded processing object M10 into the supply pipe.

[0015] The supplying device 10 is communicatively connected to the control device 80 and operates according to instructions from the control device 80. The supplying device 10 also has one or more sensors such as a thermometer and a pressure gauge. The supplying device 10 can supply data of the sensors of the supplying device 10 to the control device 80.

[0016] The processing target M10 includes at least a resin and a catalyst used for thermally decomposing the resin. The resin may be, for example, any thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or polyamide (PA), or any thermosetting resin such as epoxy, unsaturated polyester, polyimide, or polyurethane. The thermoplastic resin or thermosetting resin may be a composite material containing carbon fiber, glass fiber, or cellulose fiber. The catalyst includes a substance that generates heat when exposed to a certain microwave and promotes the thermal decomposition of the resin. More specifically, the catalyst is an electromagnetic wave absorber such as iron oxide or carbon fiber. The catalyst may also include a substance that promotes thermal decomposition by heating, such as citric acid.

[0017] The supply pipe 11 is a pipe that guides the material to be treated M10, which is continuously or intermittently supplied by the supply device 10, to a plurality of pyrolysis devices 30 via branching sections. A switching mechanism 20 is provided at the branching sections of the supply pipe 11. The supply pipe 11 shown in Fig. 1 has three branching sections, and each branching section has a switching mechanism 20.

[0018] The switching mechanism 20 selectively switches the flow path of the processing target M10 at the branching portion of the supply pipe 11. The switching mechanism 20 guides the processing target M10 arriving from the upstream supply pipe 11 to one of the two branching supply pipes 11. The switching mechanism 20 is connected to the control device 80 so as to be able to communicate with it, and switches the selected supply pipe 11 in response to an instruction from the control device 80.

[0019] The processing system 1 has a switching mechanism 20A, a switching mechanism 20B, and a switching mechanism 20C as the switching mechanism 20. The switching mechanism 20A guides the processing target M10 arriving from the supply device 10 to the pyrolysis device 30A or the switching mechanism 20B. The switching mechanism 20B guides the processing target M10 arriving from the switching mechanism 20A to the pyrolysis device 30B or the switching mechanism 20C.

[0020] The switching mechanism 20C is connected to the switching mechanism 20B and the pyrolysis device 30C and does not branch out. The switching mechanism 20C guides the treatment target M10 arriving from the switching mechanism 20B to the pyrolysis device 30C or stops guiding it to the pyrolysis device 30C. However, when an additional pyrolysis device 30 (e.g., pyrolysis device 30D) is provided in the treatment system 1, the switching mechanism 20C may be configured to be expandable so that it can guide the treatment target M10 to the additional pyrolysis device 30D. With the above-mentioned configuration, the switching mechanism 20 selects one or more pyrolysis devices 30 and supplies the treatment target M10.

[0021] The pyrolysis device 30 receives the treatment target M10 downstream of each of the branched multiple supply pipes 11, and irradiates microwaves to the received treatment target M10 to pyrolyze it. The pyrolysis device 30 generates a first product M21 and a second product M22 from the treatment target M10 through pyrolysis. The pyrolysis device 30 supplies the first product M21 to the first recovery device 50. The pyrolysis device 30 supplies the second product M22 to the second recovery device 70.

[0022] The pyrolysis device 30 is communicably connected to the control device 80 and operates according to instructions from the control device 80. The pyrolysis device 30 also has one or more sensors such as a thermometer and a pressure gauge. The pyrolysis device 30 can supply data from the sensors of the pyrolysis device 30 to the control device 80.

[0023] The first product M21 is a fluid and contains hydrogen. The second product M22 is a substance other than the first product M21 and contains carbon. The carbon is, for example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

[0024] The microwaves are, for example, electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 300 MHz to 30 GHz, and preferably 2.45 GHz (2.45 gigahertz). The pyrolysis device 30 includes at least a magnetron that generates microwaves. The output of the magnetron is, for example, about 1000 watts. The pyrolysis device 30 irradiates the received processing target M10 with microwaves for, for example, about 5 to 10 minutes. Note that the magnetron output and microwave irradiation time shown here are merely examples, and the operation of the pyrolysis device 30 in this embodiment is not limited to the example shown here.

[0025] The processing system 1 includes a pyrolysis device 30A, a pyrolysis device 30B, and a pyrolysis device 30C. The pyrolysis device 30A is connected to a switching mechanism 20A, a first recovery device 50, and a second recovery device 70. Therefore, the pyrolysis device 30A pyrolyzes the treatment target M10 received from the switching mechanism 20A, sends the first product M21 generated by the pyrolysis to the first recovery device 50, and sends the second product M22 generated by the pyrolysis to the second recovery device 70. Note that a pressure control valve 40A is interposed between the pyrolysis device 30 and the first recovery device 50. The pressure control valve 40 keeps the pressure of the gas to be sent within a certain range.

[0026] Similarly, the thermal decomposition device 30B is connected to the switching mechanism 20B, and thermally decomposes the treatment target M10 received from the switching mechanism 20B to generate a first product M21 and a second product M22. The thermal decomposition device 30B sends the first product M21 to the first recovery device 50, and sends the second product M22 to the second recovery device 70 via the pressure control valve 40B.

[0027] The thermal decomposition device 30C is connected to the switching mechanism 20C, and thermally decomposes the treatment target M10 received from the switching mechanism 20C to generate a first product M21 and a second product M22. The thermal decomposition device 30C sends the first product M21 to the first recovery device 50, and sends the second product M22 to the second recovery device 70 via the pressure control valve 40B.

[0028] The first recovery device 50 sequentially recovers the first product M21, which contains a fluid produced by thermal decomposition, from the multiple thermal decomposition devices 30 (i.e., the thermal decomposition device 30A, the thermal decomposition device 30B, and the thermal decomposition device 30C). The first recovery device 50 extracts hydrogen from the recovered first product M21. The first recovery device 50 mainly includes a pressure control valve 51, a hydrogen extraction device 52, a pressure accumulator 53, and a gas recovery device 54.

[0029] The pressure control valve 51 receives the gas from the upstream side and supplies it to the downstream side at a constant pressure. The pressure control valve 51 receives the first product M21 from the pressure control valve 40 and supplies the received first product M21 to the hydrogen extraction device 52.

[0030] The hydrogen extraction device 52 selectively separates and extracts hydrogen from the first product M21, and supplies the extracted hydrogen to the pressure accumulator 53. The pressure accumulator 53 stores the hydrogen received from the hydrogen extraction device 52. The hydrogen extraction device 52 also supplies the gas after hydrogen is extracted from the first product M21 to the gas recovery device 54. The hydrogen extraction device 52 has, for example, a hydrogen permeable membrane. The hydrogen permeable membrane selectively permeates hydrogen and does not permeate anything other than hydrogen. The hydrogen extraction device 52 may have a means other than the hydrogen permeable membrane. For example, the hydrogen extraction device 52 may separate hydrogen by cooling the first product M21, or may separate hydrogen using a predetermined adsorbent.

[0031] The second recovery device 70 receives the second product M22 from the pyrolysis device 30 and stores the received second product M22. More specifically, the second recovery device 70 sequentially recovers the second product M22 from the pyrolysis device 30 and separates and extracts carbon from the recovered second product M22. The second recovery device 70 mainly includes a separation device 71, a carbon recovery device 72, and a residue recovery device 73. The separation device 71 separates carbon from the second product M22 and a residue other than carbon. The separation device 71 supplies the carbon separated from the second product M22 to the carbon recovery device 72, and supplies the residue to the residue recovery device 73.

[0032] The control device 80 is a calculation device including at least a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a calculation function. The control device 80 is, for example, a computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The control device 80 may be a dedicated device having a calculation function. The control device 80 controls each component of the processing system 1. More specifically, for example, the control device 80 controls the switching timing of the switching mechanism 20.

[0033] Next, the function of the processing system 1 will be further described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 shows the processing system 1 divided into functional blocks. In the processing system 1, the control device 80 is communicatively connected to the supply device 10, the switching mechanism 20, the pyrolysis device 30, and the first recovery device 50.

[0034] The control device 80 also has a processor 81, a memory 82, and an interface 83 as its main components. The processor 81 is a calculation unit including a CPU, and controls each component according to data acquired from each component. The memory 82 includes a non-volatile memory that stores at least a program for executing the functions of the present disclosure, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used when the control device 80 operates. The interface 83 includes a communication circuit that follows a communication protocol for the control device 80 to communicate with each component. The interface 83 also includes an operation input means for receiving an operation from a user who manages the processing system 1.

[0035] With the above configuration, the control device 80 controls the operations of the supply device 10, the switching mechanism 20, and the pyrolysis device 30. For example, the control device 80 controls the switching mechanism 20 to switch the flow path of the supply pipe 11 based on a predetermined switching condition. The switching condition is, for example, time. In this case, the control device 80 controls the switching mechanism 20 to switch the flow path at every preset switching time. Also in this case, the control device 80 operates the pyrolysis device 30 in response to the control of the switching mechanism 20.

[0036] The control device 80 may also control the switching mechanism 20 according to other switching conditions. The other switching conditions may be, for example, the operating state of the pyrolysis devices 30. For example, the control device 80 may control the switching mechanism 20 to supply new processing target M10 to the pyrolysis device 30 when detecting a state in which the first product M21 and the second product M22 have been discharged in any of the multiple pyrolysis devices 30.

[0037] The control device 80 may obtain the pressure state of the accumulator 53 from the first recovery device 50, and control the operation of the supply device 10 and the pyrolysis device 30 according to the pressure inside the accumulator 53. That is, the control device 80 may control the pyrolysis device 30 to stop supplying the first product M21 when the pressure of the accumulator 53 becomes equal to or higher than a threshold value. In addition, the control device 80 may control the supply device 10 to stop supplying the first product M21 accordingly.

[0038] Next, the processing executed by the processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the processing method according to the first embodiment. The flowchart in Fig. 3 shows the processing executed by the control device 80 of the processing system 1.

[0039] First, the control device 80 continuously or intermittently supplies the processing target M10 to the supply pipe 11 having a branched portion (step S11). More specifically, upon receiving an instruction from the control device 80, the supply device 10 starts supplying the processing target M10.

[0040] Next, the switching mechanism 20 selects a flow path for the processing target M10 at the branching portion (step S12). The processing target M10 passes through the flow path selected by the switching mechanism 20 and is transported to the selected supply pipe 11.

[0041] Next, the switching mechanism 20 supplies the treatment target M10 to a selected pyrolysis device 30 from among the pyrolysis devices 30 provided in each of the multiple branched supply pipes 11 (step S13).

[0042] Next, the control device 80 causes the pyrolysis device 30 that has received the treatment target M10 to pyrolyze the treatment target M10 (step S14). That is, the pyrolysis device 30 irradiates the treatment target M10 with microwaves.

[0043] Next, the first recovery device 50 and the second recovery device 70 respectively recover the treatment target M10 (that is, the first product M21 and the second product M22) thermally decomposed by the thermal decomposition device 30 (step S15).

[0044] Next, the control device 80 judges whether or not a predetermined switching condition is satisfied (step S16). If the control device 80 does not judge that the predetermined switching condition is satisfied (step S16: NO), the control device 80 repeats step S16. On the other hand, if the control device 80 judges that the predetermined switching condition is satisfied (step S16: YES), the control device 80 proceeds to step S17.

[0045] Here, the predetermined switching condition is, for example, a preset time. In this case, the control device 80 starts a timer when starting pyrolysis, and determines that the switching condition is met when the preset time has elapsed.

[0046] In step S17, the control device 80 judges whether the system is to be terminated (step S17). The system is to be terminated, for example, when the user performs an operation to instruct the system to be terminated. Alternatively, the system is to be terminated, for example, when there are no more processing targets M10 that can be supplied from the supply device 10. If the control device 80 judges that the system is to be terminated (step S17: YES), the processing system 1 proceeds to step S18, stops the supply device 10 (step S18), and terminates the series of processes. On the other hand, if the control device 80 does not judge that the system is to be terminated (step S17: NO), the processing system 1 proceeds to step S19.

[0047] In step S19, the switching mechanism 20 switches the flow paths (step S19). That is, the processing system 1 now switches the pyrolysis device 30 for pyrolyzing the treatment target M10. When the switching mechanism 20 switches the flow paths, the processing system 1 returns to step S13.

[0048] Next, the switching of the flow paths performed by the switching mechanism 20 and the processing of the pyrolysis device 30 associated with the switching of the flow paths will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing state changes of the switching mechanism and the pyrolysis device. The processing system 1 shown in Fig. 4 shows, from the top, the processing system 1 in state T1, the processing system 1 in state T2 after state T1, and the processing system 1 in state T3 after state T2.

[0049] In state T1, the supply device 10 supplies the treatment target M10 to the switching mechanism 20A. The switching mechanism 20A is in a state where it supplies the treatment target M10 received from the supply device 10 to the pyrolysis device 30A.

[0050] In this case, the pyrolysis device 30A is in a state of receiving the treatment target M10 from the supply device 10 via the switching mechanism 20A. The pyrolysis device 30B is in a state of pyrolyzing the treatment target M10 that has already been received. The pyrolysis device 30C is in a state of sending the first product M21 generated by pyrolyzing the treatment target M10 to the first recovery device 50 and sending the second product M22 to the second recovery device 70.

[0051] In state T2 after state T1, the supplying device 10 supplies the treatment object M10 to the switching mechanism 20A. The switching mechanism 20A is in a state where it supplies the treatment object M10 received from the supplying device 10 to the switching mechanism 20B. The switching mechanism 20B is in a state where it supplies the treatment object M10 received from the switching mechanism 20A to the switching mechanism 20C. The switching mechanism 20C is in a state where it supplies the treatment object M10 received from the switching mechanism 20B to the pyrolysis device 30C.

[0052] In this case, the pyrolysis device 30C is in a state of receiving the treatment target M10 from the supply device 10 via the switching mechanism 20A, the switching mechanism 20B, and the switching mechanism 20C. The pyrolysis device 30A is in a state of pyrolyzing the treatment target M10 that has already been received. The pyrolysis device 30B is in a state of sending the first product M21 generated by pyrolyzing the treatment target M10 to the first recovery device 50, and sending the second product M22 to the second recovery device 70.

[0053] In state T3 after state T2, the supply device 10 supplies the treatment object M10 to the switching mechanism 20A. The switching mechanism 20A is in a state where it supplies the treatment object M10 received from the supply device 10 to the switching mechanism 20B. The switching mechanism 20B is in a state where it supplies the treatment object M10 received from the switching mechanism 20A to the pyrolysis device 30B.

[0054] In this case, the pyrolysis device 30B is in a state of receiving the treatment target M10 from the supply device 10 via the switching mechanism 20A and the switching mechanism 20B. The pyrolysis device 30C is in a state of pyrolyzing the treatment target M10 that has already been received. The pyrolysis device 30A is in a state of sending the first product M21 generated by pyrolyzing the treatment target M10 to the first recovery device 50 and sending the second product M22 to the second recovery device 70.

[0055] After state T3, the processing system 1 returns to state T1 and repeats the processing. In this manner, in the processing system 1, the switching mechanism 20 sequentially selects a flow path for the processing target M10 at the branching section. When the selected pyrolysis device 30 receives the processing target M10, it pyrolyzes the received processing target M10. The first recovery device 50 sequentially recovers the first product M21, which is a fluid generated after pyrolysis, from the multiple pyrolysis devices 30. Similarly, the second recovery device 70 sequentially recovers the second product M22 generated after pyrolysis from the multiple pyrolysis devices 30.

[0056] The configuration of the processing system 1 and the processing executed by the processing system 1 have been described above. With the above-mentioned configuration, the processing system 1 sequentially supplies the processing target M10, which is continuously or intermittently supplied by the supply device 10, to the multiple pyrolysis devices 30. The processing system 1 also sequentially recovers the first product M21 and the second product M22 generated by pyrolysis in the multiple pyrolysis devices 30. Therefore, the supply device 10 can continuously and efficiently supply the processing target M10 to the pyrolysis device 30 without being rate-limited by the processing of the pyrolysis device 30. Furthermore, the first recovery device 50 can continuously recover the first product M21 without being rate-limited by the processing of the pyrolysis device 30. Similarly, the second recovery device 70 can continuously recover the second product M22 without being rate-limited by the processing of the pyrolysis device 30.

[0057] Next, the configuration of the pyrolysis device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of the pyrolysis device. The pyrolysis device 30 has, as its main components, a container 300, an irradiation device 301, a receiving port 310, a gas inlet 320, a tray 330, a tray drive unit 331, a second outlet 340, a first outlet 350, an exhaust valve 360, and a sensor 370.

[0058] The container 300 is a hollow case made of, for example, a heat-resistant metal or ceramic, and receives a predetermined amount of the treatment target M10 therein. The container 300 is provided with a receiving port 310, a gas inlet 320, and a first outlet 350 at the top. The bottom of the container 300 is cone-shaped, and a second outlet 340 is provided at the lowest part. The container 300 houses a tray 330 and a tray drive unit 331 therein. Furthermore, an irradiation device 301 is installed on the top or side of the container 300.

[0059] The irradiation device 301 irradiates microwaves onto the treatment target M10 in the container 300 to pyrolyze the treatment target M10. The irradiation device 301 has one or more magnetrons that generate microwaves, and one or more antennas that irradiate the microwaves generated by the magnetrons onto the container 300. The container 300 has an electromagnetic wave transmitting region for transmitting the microwaves generated by the irradiation device 301 into the inside of the container 300. The electromagnetic wave transmitting region is formed by an opening for transmitting electromagnetic waves or by a material capable of transmitting electromagnetic waves.

[0060] The pyrolysis apparatus 30 may have a plurality of irradiation devices 301. The antenna of the irradiation device 301 may have a movable part for changing the irradiation area of ​​the microwave. By making the antenna movable, the pyrolysis apparatus 30 can suppress the bias of the microwave irradiated to the treatment target M10.

[0061] The receiving port 310 is connected to the supply pipe 11 provided downstream of the switching mechanism 20. Thus, the pyrolysis device 30 receives the treatment target M10 from the supply pipe 11 via the receiving port 310.

[0062] The gas inlet 320 is an inlet for supplying an inert gas from the outside to the inside of the container 300. The pyrolysis device 30 receives the processing target M10 and also receives an inert gas. The inert gas is, for example, helium, argon, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide. The pyrolysis device 30 starts the irradiation device 301 in a state where the container 300 is filled with an inert gas, and irradiates microwaves. The gas inlet 320 has an opening and closing valve 321, so that the supply of the inert gas to the container 300 can be controlled. In addition, in order to fill the inside of the container 300 with the inert gas, the pyrolysis device 30 may have a structure for evacuating the inside using, for example, a vacuum pump. In this case, the container 300 may have, for example, a suction port of a vacuum pump. The suction port of the vacuum pump is connected to the vacuum pump via an opening and closing valve.

[0063] The container 300 may have a plurality of gas inlets 320. The gas inlet 320 may have a function of supplying an inert gas with a pressure sufficient to stir the treatment target M10 or the second product M22 on the tray 330.

[0064] The tray 330 is a plate-like member having a surface extending in the horizontal direction on which the treatment target M10 is placed when the treatment target M10 is pyrolyzed. The tray 330 is formed of a flat or curved surface. The tray 330 shown in FIG. 5 has a central portion that rises gently in a spindle shape, and the peripheral portion is lower than the central portion. With this configuration, the surface area of ​​the tray 330 is larger than that of a plane parallel to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the tray 330 can relatively increase the surface area of ​​the treatment target M10 placed on the tray 330. This allows the tray 330 to relatively increase the area where the treatment target M10 receives microwaves. The shape of the unevenness of the tray 330 is not limited to the above-mentioned form.

[0065] The tray driving unit 331 supports the tray 330 from below so that the tray 330 can move up and down. When the tray driving unit 331 has raised the tray 330, the outer periphery of the tray 330 is in contact with the side wall 302 that protrudes inward from the outer periphery of the container 300. Therefore, the treatment target M10 that has dropped from the receiving port 310 is placed on the upper surface of the tray 330. When the tray driving unit 331 has lowered the tray 330, a gap is formed between the outer periphery of the tray 330 and the side wall 302. Therefore, the second product M22 generated after pyrolysis falls downward from the gap between the outer periphery of the tray 330 and the side wall 302. The second product M22 that has fallen down the tray 330 further falls down the cone-shaped surface formed at the bottom of the container 300 and moves below the container 300 via the second delivery port 340.

[0066] The tray driving unit 331 may drive the tray 330 to rotate around a vertical axis. The tray driving unit 331 may also have a stirring member that penetrates the center of the tray 330 and is rotatably provided in the penetrating portion to stir the treatment target M10.

[0067] The second delivery port 340 is an opening provided in the lower part of the container 300, and delivers the second product M22. The second delivery port 340 has a shutter 341 that is set to be able to open and close.

[0068] The first outlet 350 is a fluid outlet provided at the top of the container 300, and outputs the first product M21 generated by pyrolysis. An open / close valve 351 and an exhaust fan 352 are provided at the first outlet 350. The open / close valve 351 is a valve that can be opened and closed freely, and opens when the pyrolysis device 30 outputs the second product M22. When the open / close valve 351 opens, the exhaust fan 352 provided downstream of the open / close valve 351 pressure-feeds the second product M22 output from the first outlet 350 to the pressure control valve 40.

[0069] The exhaust valve 360 ​​exhausts other gases remaining inside when the container 300 is filled with an inert gas through the gas inlet 320. The exhaust valve 360 ​​may also function as a safety valve that exhausts the internal gas to suppress an excessive increase in the internal pressure when the internal pressure exceeds a threshold value during the thermal decomposition process of the thermal decomposition device 30. In addition, when the container 300 is filled with an inert gas through the gas inlet 320, the thermal decomposition device 30 may have a structure that can be connected to the above-mentioned vacuum pump instead of the exhaust valve 360 ​​in order to exhaust other gases remaining inside. By exhausting other gases using the vacuum pump, the thermal decomposition device 30 can efficiently change the internal environment of the container 300.

[0070] The sensor 370 measures at least one of the temperature and the pressure inside the container 300. The sensor 370 can provide the measured data to the controller 80.

[0071] The pyrolysis device 30 is connected to a secondary battery 200 and receives power from the secondary battery 200. The secondary battery 200 supplies power to the pyrolysis device 30. More specifically, for example, the secondary battery 200 can supply power to an irradiation device 301 of the pyrolysis device 30. The secondary battery 200 is, for example, a lithium ion battery.

[0072] The secondary battery 200 can store electric power generated from renewable energy. The secondary battery 200 shown in Fig. 5 receives electric power from a wind power generation system 90. The wind power generation system 90 is one embodiment of a power generation system using renewable energy. The processing system 1 may receive electric power from the power generation system using renewable energy for the supply device 10 and the like in addition to the thermal decomposition device 30.

[0073] With this configuration, the processing system 1 having the secondary battery 200 performs thermal decomposition of the processing target M10 while suppressing the environmental load. The power generation system using renewable energy may be one that uses solar light or geothermal heat. The power generation system using renewable energy may also include a system that generates power using a hydrogen boiler that uses the generated hydrogen, for example.

[0074] The secondary battery 200 may be a reusable product. Reusable products include, for example, batteries that have been used in electric vehicles or the like, but have been removed from the electric vehicles or the like because they no longer meet the specifications for use in electric vehicles or the like. By employing a reusable product as the secondary battery 200, the processing system 1 can reduce the environmental load.

[0075] Next, the operation of the pyrolysis apparatus 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a first state of the pyrolysis apparatus 30. In Fig. 6, the pyrolysis apparatus 30 receives the treatment target M10 from the receiving port 310, and the irradiation device 301 irradiates the received treatment target M10 with microwaves.

[0076] The pyrolysis device 30 irradiates microwaves onto the treatment target M10, so that the treatment target M10 receives the microwaves. Of the treatment target M10 that receives the microwaves, substances that absorb microwaves, such as electromagnetic wave absorbers, are heated and the temperature rises. As a result, the resins present in the treatment target M10 are also heated and pyrolyzed. The temperature inside the decomposition treatment area 130 at this time is, for example, 400 to 900 degrees Celsius.

[0077] The heated resin is decomposed into polymers, which are converted into hydrogen, lower hydrocarbons, organic gases, and other intermediate products. The pyrolysis proceeds as the pyrolysis device 30 further irradiates microwaves, and a first product M21 and a second product M22 can be generated from the treatment target M10. The pyrolysis device 30 stops irradiating microwaves after the treatment target M10 is decomposed into the first product M21 and the second product M22.

[0078] 7 is a diagram showing the second state of the pyrolysis device 30. In FIG. 7, the pyrolysis device 30 sends out the first product M21 and the second product M22 to the outside of the container 300. At this time, the tray 330 is in a lowered position, and a gap is formed between the tray 330 and the side wall 302 through which the second product M22 can pass. In addition, the shutter 341 is in an open state at the second delivery port 340. Therefore, the second product M22 falls from the outer periphery of the tray 330 to the bottom of the container 300, and then moves to the second recovery device 70 through the second delivery port 340.

[0079] 7, the on-off valve 351 of the first outlet 350 is in an open state, and the exhaust fan 352 is driven to pressure-feed the fluid in the container 300 to the pressure control valve 40. As a result, the first product M21 is sucked into the first outlet 350 and sent out of the container 300. At this time, the gas inlet 320 may supply an inert gas. By supplying the inert gas through the gas inlet 320, the pyrolysis device 30 can promote the sending out of the first product M21 to the first outlet 350.

[0080] Next, the process executed by the thermal decomposition device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a process method of the thermal decomposition device. The flowchart in Fig. 8 is executed by a control device 80 that controls the thermal decomposition device 30, for example.

[0081] First, the control device 80 opens the shutter 311 of the receiving port 310 (step S31). In conjunction with this, the switching mechanism 20 switches the flow path so as to supply the treatment target M10 to the pyrolysis device 30 which executes the operations of this flowchart.

[0082] Next, the control device 80 judges whether the supply of the processing target M10 is completed (step S32). If the control device 80 does not judge that the supply of the processing target M10 is completed (step S32: NO), the control device 80 repeats step S32. If the control device 80 judges that the supply of the processing target M10 is completed (step S32: YES), the control device 80 closes the shutter 311 of the receiving port 310 (step S33).

[0083] Next, the control device 80 activates the irradiation device 301 to irradiate the processing object M10 with microwaves (step S34).

[0084] Next, the control device 80 judges whether the pyrolysis has been completed (step S35). Here, the control device 80 may judge whether the pyrolysis has been completed based on data received from the sensor 370 of the pyrolysis device 30. Alternatively, the control device 80 may judge whether the pyrolysis has been completed by judging whether the above-mentioned switching condition is satisfied. If the control device 80 does not judge whether the pyrolysis has been completed (step S35: NO), the control device 80 returns to step S34 and continues irradiating the microwaves. If the control device 80 judges whether the pyrolysis has been completed (step S35: YES), the control device 80 starts sending out the first product M21 and the second product M22 (step S36).

[0085] Next, the control device 80 judges whether the sending of the first product M21 and the second product M22 is completed (step S37). For example, the control device 80 judges whether the sending is completed from data of the sensor 370. Alternatively, the control device 80 may judge whether the sending is completed by measuring a preset time. If the control device 80 does not judge the sending is completed (step S37: NO), the control device 80 returns to step S36 and continues the sending of the first product M21 and the second product M22. If the control device 80 judges the sending is completed (step S37: YES), the control device 80 moves to step S38.

[0086] In step S38, the control device 80 judges whether the system is to be terminated (step S38). If the control device 80 does not judge the system is to be terminated (step S38: NO), the control device 80 returns to step S31 and repeats the series of processes. If the control device 80 judges the system is to be terminated (step S38: YES), the control device 80 ends the series of processes.

[0087] The first embodiment has been described above. The processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, configured as described above, sequentially pyrolyzes the material to be processed M10 supplied continuously or intermittently by the supply device 10 using a plurality of pyrolysis devices 30, and sequentially sends the material to the first recovery device 50 and the second recovery device 70. This allows the processing system 1 to efficiently recover hydrogen and carbon. Thus, according to the first embodiment, a processing system and a processing method for efficiently recovering reusable substances can be provided.

[0088] <Embodiment 2> 9 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a processing system according to the embodiment 2. A first recovery device 50 according to the embodiment 2 has a collection device 55.

[0089] The capture device 55 extracts a predetermined fluid, such as carbon dioxide, from the first product M21 received via the pressure control valve 40. The predetermined fluid is, for example, a gas having high water solubility. The capture device 55 separates the highly water soluble fluid, such as carbon dioxide, from the first product M21, for example, by a water displacement method. The capture device 55 supplies the first product M21 after the separation of the predetermined fluid to the hydrogen extraction device 52 via the pressure control valve 51. With this configuration, the first recovery device 50 can reduce the load on the hydrogen extraction device 52.

[0090] The above describes the embodiment 2. According to the embodiment 2, it is possible to provide a processing system and a processing method for efficiently recovering reusable substances according to the embodiment 1.

[0091] With the above-described configuration, the treatment system 1 according to the embodiment recovers hydrogen and carbon from the treatment target M10. The treatment target M10 includes, for example, waste plastic. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly state that a sustainable consumption and production pattern should be ensured. The treatment system 1 can contribute to ensuring a sustainable consumption and production pattern by recovering reusable hydrogen and carbon from the waste plastic. The treatment system 1 can also receive at least a portion of the power of the devices used in the treatment system 1 from renewable energy. This allows the treatment system 1 to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Processing System 10 Feeding device 11 Supply pipe 20 Switching Mechanism 30 Pyrolysis equipment 40 Pressure Control Valve 50 First Recovery Device 51 Pressure Control Valve 52 Hydrogen Extraction Equipment 53 Accumulator 54 Gas recovery unit 55 Collection device 70 Second Recovery Device 71 Separation device 72 Carbon collector 73 Residue collector 80 Control device 90 Wind Power Generation System 200 Secondary battery 300 containers 301 Irradiation device 310 Inlet 311 Shutter 320 Gas inlet 321 Opening and closing valve 330 Tray 331 Tray drive unit 340 2nd outlet 341 Shutter 350 1st outlet 351 Opening and closing valve 352 Exhaust Fan 360 Exhaust valve 370 Sensors M10 Processing target M21 1st product M22 2nd product

Claims

1. A supply device that continuously or intermittently supplies the processing object to a supply pipe having a branch portion; a switching mechanism for selectively switching the flow path to be processed in the branching portion; a plurality of pyrolysis devices that receive the processing object downstream of each of the plurality of branched supply pipes and irradiate the received processing object with microwaves to pyrolyze the processing object; and a first recovery device that sequentially recovers a first product including a fluid generated by pyrolysis from the plurality of pyrolysis devices. Processing system.

2. The supply device is an extrusion device that continuously extrudes the heated and kneaded treatment object into the supply pipe, or an injection device that intermittently injects the heated and kneaded treatment object into the supply pipe. The processing system of claim 1 .

3. The pyrolysis device includes: A container for receiving a predetermined amount of the object to be treated; an irradiation device that irradiates microwaves onto the treatment target in the container to pyrolyze the treatment target; a first outlet for discharging the first product produced by pyrolysis; and a second outlet for outletting a second product other than the first product. The processing system of claim 1 .

4. Further comprising a second recovery device which sequentially recovers the second product from the pyrolysis device and separates and extracts carbon from the recovered second product. The processing system of claim 3 .

5. The switching mechanism switches the flow path so as to supply the treatment object received from the supply device to the pyrolysis device after the pyrolyzed treatment object has been sent out. The processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A control device is further provided that controls the switching mechanism so as to switch the flow path based on a predetermined switching condition. The processing system of claim 5 .

7. The control device controls the switching mechanism to switch the flow path every switching time that is preset as the switching condition. The processing system of claim 6 .

8. The supply device supplies the processing object including at least a resin to the supply pipe, The pyrolysis device pyrolyzes the treatment target so that at least hydrogen can be extracted by irradiating the microwaves. The processing system of claim 1 .

9. The supply device supplies the treatment object including the resin and a catalyst for promoting thermal decomposition to the supply pipe. The processing system of claim 8 .

10. The pyrolysis device pyrolyzes the treatment target by irradiating the microwave having a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The processing system of claim 9 .

11. Further comprising a secondary battery for supplying power to the pyrolysis device. The processing system of claim 1 .

12. The secondary battery is capable of storing power generated by renewable energy. The processing system of claim 11.

13. Supplying the object to be treated continuously or intermittently to a supply pipe having a branch portion; sequentially selecting the flow path to be treated in the branching portion; Supplying the treatment object to a selected pyrolysis device among the pyrolysis devices provided in each of the plurality of branched supply pipes; The object to be treated is thermally decomposed in the thermal decomposition device that has received the object to be treated; Sequentially recovering fluids resulting from said pyrolysis from a plurality of said pyrolyzers; Processing methods.

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