Waste treatment device

Abstract

To provide a waste treatment device that can suppress excessive wetting and thereby prevent failure or rust from occurring.SOLUTION: A waste treatment device 1 which crushes waste and conveys it to a predetermined location, comprises: a crusher 10 that crushes the waste into crushed waste; a conveyor 20 that conveys the crushed waste; a fire detector 30 that detects the occurrence of a fire in the crushed waste conveyed by the conveyor 20; and a fire treatment section 40 that performs the treatment of extinguishing the fire on the crushed waste. When the fire is detected by the fire detector 30, the conveyor 20 conveys the crushed waste to the fire treatment section 40 side. The fire treatment section 40 extinguishes the fire on the crushed waste by spraying water with a sprinkler 41. The waste treatment device further comprises a return section 50 that returns the crushed waste for which the extinguishing treatment has been performed in the fire treatment section 40 from the fire treatment section and mixes the crushed waste for which the extinguishing treatment has been performed with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing treatment has not been performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a waste treatment device that crushes waste and transports it to a predetermined location.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a treatment facility for plastic waste that crushes plastic waste and transports it to a predetermined location has been known (see Patent Document 1). In the treatment facility for plastic waste, plastic waste is supplied from an input device to a supply conveyor, and then input from the supply conveyor to a crusher and crushed. The crushed plastic waste is transported to a magnetic separator by a transport conveyor and a magnetic separator conveyor, and after metal foreign substances are removed by the magnetic separator, it is input to the next process. Ignition detectors are provided at the rear end of the supply conveyor directly above the crusher, the front side, the middle, and the rear end of the transport conveyor, and the front end of the magnetic separator conveyor, and a water sprinkling device is provided in the vicinity thereof. When ignition is detected by each ignition detector, water is sprinkled from the corresponding water sprinkling device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the treatment facility for plastic waste, when ignition is detected by an ignition detector, water is sprinkled from a water sprinkling device onto the supply conveyor, the transport conveyor, etc. For this reason, the supply conveyor, the transport conveyor, etc. may get overly wet. And when the supply conveyor, the transport conveyor, etc. get overly wet in this way, there is a risk of failure or rust occurring in the supply conveyor, the transport conveyor, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a waste treatment apparatus capable of suppressing excessive wetting and suppressing the occurrence of failures, rust, etc.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] That is, the waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a crusher that crushes the waste into crushed waste, a conveyor that conveys the crushed waste, a fire detector that detects that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste conveyed by the conveyor, and a fire treatment unit that performs a process of extinguishing the fire in the crushed waste where the fire has occurred. The conveyor conveys the crushed waste toward the fire treatment unit when a fire is detected by the fire detector. The fire treatment unit includes a water sprinkler, and performs a process of extinguishing the fire in the crushed waste where the fire has occurred by sprinkling water with the water sprinkler. The fire treatment unit further includes a return unit that returns the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed from the fire treatment unit and mixes the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed. By configuring in this way, since water is not sprinkled on the conveyor, the conveyor is not wetted by the sprinkling water. Further, by configuring in this way, it is possible to reduce the moisture content of the crushed waste in which the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit and the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed are mixed. Therefore, even when conveying the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor from being excessively wetted by the crushed waste and suppress the occurrence of failures, rust, etc. in the conveyor.

[0007] In the waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the return unit returns the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit to the conveyor, and in the conveyor, the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed is mixed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed and is conveyed in the conveyor. By configuring in this way, even when transporting the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor from being overly wetted by the crushed waste and to suppress the occurrence of failures, rust, etc. in the conveyor.

[0008] In the waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the return unit returns the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit to the crusher, and in the crusher, the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed and the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed in the crusher are mixed. By configuring in this way, even when transporting the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor from being overly wetted by the crushed waste and to suppress the occurrence of failures, rust, etc. in the conveyor.

[0009] The waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention further includes a mixer that mixes the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed and the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit, and the return unit returns the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit to the mixer, and in the mixer, the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed and the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed in the mixer are mixed. By configuring in this way, even when transporting the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor from being overly wetted by the crushed waste and to suppress the occurrence of failures, rust, etc. in the conveyor.

[0010] The waste treatment apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the return unit is configured to be able to limit the amount of the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed and returned from the fire treatment unit to a certain amount. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent a bias from occurring in the moisture content of the crushed waste obtained by mixing the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit and the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] As an effect of the present invention, the following effects are achieved. That is, according to the waste treatment apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to suppress excessive wetting and prevent failures or rusting.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] [Overall Configuration of Waste Treatment Apparatus] The waste treatment apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Hereinafter, the black arrows in the figures will be described as indicating the conveyance direction of the crushed waste. The waste treatment apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 crushes waste and conveys the crushed waste to a predetermined location. Examples of the predetermined location to which the waste treatment apparatus 1 conveys the waste include a conveyor device arranged on the downstream side of the waste treatment apparatus 1 or a waste storage site, etc., and are appropriately set according to specifications, uses, etc. The waste processed in the waste treatment apparatus 1 is mainly composed of combustible waste (for example, plastic waste), but may include materials other than combustible waste. The waste treatment apparatus 1 includes a crusher 10, a conveyor 20, a fire detector 30, a fire treatment unit 40, a return unit 50, and a control unit 60.

[0014] The crusher 10 crushes waste into crushed waste. The crusher 10 includes a container, a plurality of blades, and a discharge port. The crusher 10 is configured to crush the waste introduced into the container by driving the plurality of blades in the container. The crusher 10 is configured to discharge the crushed waste in the container from the discharge port in predetermined amounts.

[0015] The conveyor 20 is disposed downstream of the crusher 10 in the conveying path of the crushed waste. The conveyor 20 conveys the crushed waste discharged from the discharge port of the crusher 10. When a fire is detected by the fire detector 30, the conveyor 20 conveys the crushed waste toward the fire treatment unit 40 and throws it into the fire treatment unit 40.

[0016] The conveyor 20 includes a first conveyor 21, a second conveyor 22, and a path switching unit 23. The first conveyor 21 conveys the crushed waste discharged from the discharge port of the crusher 10 toward the path switching unit 23. The first conveyor 21 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor device or a chain conveyor device. The second conveyor 22 is disposed downstream of the first conveyor 21 and the path switching unit 23 in the conveying path of the crushed waste. The second conveyor 22 conveys the crushed waste supplied from the first conveyor 21 through the path switching unit 23 to a predetermined location on the downstream side. The second conveyor 22 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor device or a chain conveyor device. The path switching unit 23 is disposed between the first conveyor 21 and the second conveyor 22 in the conveying path of the crushed waste. The path switching unit 23 is configured to switch the path of the crushed waste supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the second conveyor 22 side and the fire treatment unit 40 side. The path switching unit 23 includes an inlet at the upper part and two outlets at the lower part. The path switching unit 23 is configured such that the crushed waste from the first conveyor 21 is introduced through the inlet and discharged from one outlet to the second conveyor 22 side and from the other outlet to the fire treatment unit 40.

[0017] The fire detector 30 is disposed above the conveyance path of the first conveyor 21 and detects that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21. Information regarding that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21 detected by the fire detector 30 is transmitted to the control unit 60. That a fire has occurred in the crushed waste shall indicate that flaming combustion has occurred in the crushed waste, that non-flaming combustion has occurred in the crushed waste, or that both flaming combustion and non-flaming combustion have occurred in the crushed waste. The fire detector 30 is composed of, for example, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21, a thermal camera (temperature detection camera) that detects the temperature of the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21, a smoke sensor that detects smoke in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the first conveyor 21, a carbon monoxide sensor that detects the concentration of carbon monoxide in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the first conveyor 21, a carbon dioxide sensor that detects the concentration of carbon dioxide in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the first conveyor 21, and a flame sensor that detects the flame of the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21, etc. When the fire detector 30 is composed of a temperature sensor, it detects flameless combustion when it detects that the temperature of the smoke emitted from the smoldering crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and also detects flaming combustion when it detects that the temperature of the flame emitted from the ignited crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. When the fire detector 30 is composed of a thermal camera, it detects flameless combustion when it detects that the temperature of the smoke emitted from the smoldering crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and also detects flaming combustion when it detects that the temperature of the flame emitted from the ignited crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. When the fire detector 30 is composed of a smoke sensor, it detects flameless combustion when it detects that the density of the smoke emitted from the smoldering crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined density, and also detects flaming combustion when it detects that the density of the smoke emitted from the ignited crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined density. When the fire detector 30 is composed of a carbon monoxide sensor, it detects flameless combustion when it detects that the concentration of carbon monoxide around the smoldering crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration, and also detects flaming combustion when it detects that the concentration of carbon monoxide around the ignited crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration. When the fire detector 30 is composed of a carbon dioxide sensor, it detects flameless combustion when it detects that the concentration of carbon dioxide around the smoldering crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration, and also detects flaming combustion when it detects that the concentration of carbon dioxide around the ignited crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration. When the fire detector 30 is composed of a flame sensor (photodetector), it detects a fire when it detects that the amount of ultraviolet or infrared smoke around the burning crushed waste is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity. Note that the fire detector 30 is not limited to such a configuration, and other configurations that detect that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21 may be used. Further, the fire detector 30 may be configured to be arranged in a plurality or a plurality of types. For example, the fire detector 30 may be configured by combining an indoor air concentration detector that detects the air concentration in a facility composed of at least one of a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, or a carbon dioxide sensor, etc., and a flame sensor (light detector). By configuring in this way, even when it is difficult to detect a fire with a temperature sensor or a thermal camera, etc., when the burning crushed waste is buried, the fire can be surely detected. Also, for example, it may be configured by combining a temperature detector composed of at least one of a temperature sensor or a thermal camera, etc., and a flame sensor (light detector). By configuring in this way, a fire can be detected in a relatively wide area with a smaller number compared to the number of indoor air concentration detectors arranged. Also, for example, it may be configured by combining a temperature detector composed of at least one of a temperature sensor or a thermal camera, etc., and an indoor air concentration detector that detects the air concentration in a facility composed of at least one of a smoke sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, or a carbon dioxide sensor, etc. By configuring in this way, even when the light (ultraviolet or infrared) emitted from the burning crushed waste is blocked by an obstacle and it is difficult to detect a fire with a flame sensor (light detector), the fire can be surely detected.

[0018] The fire treatment unit 40 is arranged downstream of the first conveyor 21 and the switching unit in the conveyance path of the crushed waste. The fire treatment unit 40 is configured to be able to supply the crushed waste in which a fire has occurred from the first conveyor 21 via the path switching unit 23. The fire treatment unit 40 performs a process of intensively extinguishing the crushed waste in which a fire has occurred. The fire treatment unit 40 is configured in a box shape having an inlet at the upper part. The fire treatment unit 40 is configured to be able to input the crushed waste in which a fire has occurred into the interior from the inlet. The fire treatment unit 40 is provided with a water sprinkler 41 inside thereof. The fire treatment unit 40 drives the water sprinkler 41 and extinguishes the crushed waste in which a fire has occurred by sprinkling water by the water sprinkler 41 inside thereof. The crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 contains a lot of moisture.

[0019] The return unit 50 returns the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 from the fire treatment unit 40 to a predetermined location of the waste treatment device 1, and mixes the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed. The return unit 50 returns the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21, and in the first conveyor 21, mixes the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 with the unextinguished crushed waste to be conveyed. The return unit 50 is composed of a predetermined conveying means for conveying the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 from the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21. The return unit 50 is composed of, for example, a belt conveyor device, a chain conveyor device, a lift device, or the like.

[0020] The control unit 60 is electrically connected to the crusher 10, the conveyor 20, the fire detector 30, the fire treatment unit 40, and the return unit 50, respectively. The control unit 60 controls various operations of the waste treatment device 1 (operations of the crusher 10, the conveyor 20, the fire detector 30, the fire treatment unit 40, the return unit 50, etc.). The waste treatment device 1 is configured such that, by the control unit 60 controlling the operations of the crusher 10, the conveyor 20, the fire detector 30, the fire treatment unit 40, the return unit 50, etc., it automatically executes operations such as crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location, switching the path switching unit 23, extinguishing the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40, and returning the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 with the unextinguished crushed waste.

[0021] [Operations of Waste Treatment Device] Next, the operations of the waste treatment apparatus 1, namely, "the operation of crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location", "the operation of switching the path switching unit 23", "the operation of extinguishing a fire in the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40", and "the operation of returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed" will be described respectively.

[0022] The "operation of crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location" of the waste treatment apparatus 1 will be described. The "operation of crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location" of the waste treatment apparatus 1 is the normal operation of the waste treatment apparatus 1 and is started when an operator operates the operation unit or the like. In the "operation of crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location" of the waste treatment apparatus 1, the control unit 60 drives the crusher 10 to crush the waste into crushed waste, and automatically discharges the crushed waste from the discharge port of the crusher 10 in predetermined amounts. Further, in the "operation of crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location" of the waste treatment apparatus 1, the control unit 60 drives the first conveyor 21 and the second conveyor 22 to convey the crushed waste discharged from the discharge port of the crusher 10 to the side of the path switching unit 23, and conveys the crushed waste supplied from the first conveyor 21 through the path switching unit 23 to a predetermined location on the downstream side. In this way, the "operation of crushing waste and conveying the crushed waste to a predetermined location" of the waste treatment apparatus 1 is performed.

[0023] Next, the "operation of conveying crushed waste in which a fire has occurred to the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment apparatus 1 will be described. In the "operation of conveying crushed waste in which a fire has occurred to the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment apparatus 1, the fire detector 30 detects that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste conveyed by the first conveyor 21, and transmits information regarding the occurrence of the fire in the crushed waste to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 that has received the information regarding the occurrence of the fire in the crushed waste causes the path of the crushed waste supplied from the first conveyor 21 of the path switching unit 23 to be switched from the second conveyor 22 side to the fire treatment unit 40 side. When the path of the crushed waste of the path switching unit 23 is switched to the fire treatment unit 40 side, the crushed waste in which a fire has occurred is supplied from the first conveyor 21 through the path switching unit 23 to the fire treatment unit 40. In this way, the "operation of conveying crushed waste in which a fire has occurred to the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment apparatus 1 is performed. In the case of a configuration in which a plurality or a plurality of types of fire detectors 30 are arranged, when at least one or more fire detectors 30 detect that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste and transmit information regarding the occurrence of the fire in the crushed waste to the control unit 60, the control unit 60 causes the path of the crushed waste supplied from the first conveyor 21 of the path switching unit 23 to be switched from the second conveyor 22 side to the fire treatment unit 40 side.

[0024] Next, the "operation of extinguishing the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment device 1 will be described. After performing the "operation of transporting the crushed waste where a fire has occurred to the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment device 1, the "operation of extinguishing the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40" is performed. In the "operation of extinguishing the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment device 1, the control unit 60 drives the water sprinkler 41 of the fire treatment unit 40, and extinguishes the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the water sprinkling by the water sprinkler 41. When the extinguishing of the crushed waste where a fire has occurred in the fire treatment unit 40 is completed, the control unit 60 stops the driving of the water sprinkler 41. Whether the extinguishing of the crushed waste where a fire has occurred in the fire treatment unit 40 is completed or not is detected by a predetermined sensor (for example, a temperature sensor, a smoke sensor, or a carbon monoxide sensor, etc.) arranged in the fire treatment unit 40. In this way, the "operation of extinguishing the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment device 1 is performed.

[0025] Next, the "operation of returning the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed" of the waste treatment device 1 will be described. After performing the "operation of extinguishing the crushed waste where a fire has occurred by the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment device 1, the "operation of returning the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed" is performed.

[0026] In the "operation of returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed" of the waste treatment apparatus 1, the control unit 60 drives the return unit 50 to return the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21. Then, in the first conveyor 21, the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 is mixed with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed and is being conveyed in the first conveyor 21. At this time, the control unit 60 causes the return unit 50 to return the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to a position upstream of the location where the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed is supplied from the crusher 10 in the first conveyor 21.

[0027] When the control unit 60 finishes returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21, the control unit 60 stops the driving of the return unit 50. Further, when the control unit 60 finishes returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21, the control unit 60 causes the path switching unit 23 to switch the path of the crushed waste from the fire treatment unit 40 side to the second conveyor 22 side. In this way, the "operation of returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed" of the waste treatment apparatus 1 is performed.

[0028] As described above, when a fire is detected by the fire detector 30, the conveyor 20 conveys the crushed waste toward the fire treatment unit 40. The fire treatment unit 40 performs a process of extinguishing the fire in the crushed waste where the fire has occurred by spraying water with the water sprinkler 41. In this way, since water is not sprayed on the conveyor 20, the conveyor 20 is not wetted by the water spray. Further, the return unit 50 returns the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 from the fire treatment unit 40, and mixes the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has not been performed. In this way, by mixing the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has not been performed, the moisture content of the crushed waste can be reduced. Therefore, even when conveying the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor 20 from being excessively wetted by the crushed waste and suppress the occurrence of failures or rust etc. in the conveyor 20.

[0029] As described above, the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit 40 is returned to the conveyor 20, and the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed is mixed with the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has not been performed and is being conveyed in the conveyor 20. In this way, by mixing the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has not been performed in the conveyor 20, the moisture content of the crushed waste can be reduced. Therefore, even when conveying the crushed waste on which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor 20 from being excessively wetted by the crushed waste and suppress the occurrence of failures or rust etc. in the conveyor 20.

[0030] The return unit 50 can also be configured to limit the amount of crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process and is returned from the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21 (a predetermined location of the waste treatment device 1) to a certain amount. At this time, in the "operation of returning the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste that has not undergone the fire extinguishing process" of the waste treatment device 1, the control unit 60 drives the return unit 50 to return the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process to the first conveyor 21 so as to reach a certain amount. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prevent a bias from occurring in the moisture content of the crushed waste obtained by mixing the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process in the fire treatment unit 40 and the crushed waste that has not undergone the fire extinguishing process.

[0031] Note that the fire treatment unit 40 may be configured without a water sprinkler 41, for example, to be able to store water inside the fire treatment unit 40 and extinguish the fire in the crushed waste where a fire has occurred with the water stored inside.

[0032] Instead of being configured to return the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process in the fire treatment unit 40 to the first conveyor 21, the return unit 50 may be configured to return the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process in the fire treatment unit 40 to the crusher 10 and mix the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste that has not undergone the fire extinguishing process inside the crusher 10. At this time, the return unit 50 is composed of a predetermined conveying means for conveying the crushed waste that has undergone the fire extinguishing process in the fire treatment unit 40 from the fire treatment unit 40 to the crusher 10.

[0033] Also at this time, in the operation of the waste treatment apparatus 1 of "returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed", the control unit 60 drives the return unit 50 to return the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the crusher 10 and inputs the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 into the container of the crusher 10. Then, the crusher 10 is driven to mix the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed in the crusher 10 during driving. When the return of the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the crusher 10 is completed, the control unit 60 stops the driving of the return unit 50.

[0034] As described above, the return unit 50 returns the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the crusher 10 and mixes, in the crusher 10, the crushed waste that has been extinguished with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed. In this way, by mixing, in the crusher 10, the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has not been performed, the moisture content of the crushed waste can be reduced. Therefore, even when transporting the crushed waste for which the extinguishing process has been performed, it is possible to suppress the conveyor 20 from being overly wetted by the crushed waste and to suppress the occurrence of failures or rust etc. in the conveyor 20.

[0035] The waste treatment device 1 may also be configured without the path switching unit 23. At this time, the first conveyor 21 is configured such that the crushed waste discharged from the discharge port of the crusher 10 is supplied at a midway portion of the conveyance path of the crushed waste of the first conveyor 21, and the second conveyor 22 conveys the crushed waste directly supplied from the first conveyor 21 to a predetermined location on the downstream side. Also at this time, the fire treatment unit 40 is disposed on the downstream side of the first conveyor 21 in the conveyance path of the crushed waste. In the "operation of conveying the crushed waste with a fire occurring therein to the fire treatment unit 40" of the waste treatment device 1, the control unit 60 that has received information regarding the occurrence of a fire in the crushed waste reverses the conveyance direction by the first conveyor 21. By reversing the conveyance direction of the crushed waste by the first conveyor 21, the crushed waste with a fire occurring therein is supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the fire treatment unit 40.

[0036] As described above, by reversing the conveyance direction of the crushed waste by the first conveyor 21, the crushed waste with a fire occurring therein is supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the fire treatment unit 40. Therefore, it is possible to realize, with a simple configuration, a configuration capable of suppressing excessive wetting of the conveyor 20 by the crushed waste and suppressing the occurrence of failures or rust etc. in the conveyor 20.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, the waste treatment apparatus 1 may be configured to include a mixer 70. The mixer 70 mixes the crushed waste that has not been extinguished and the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40. The mixer 70 is composed of, for example, a single-shaft mixer or a double-shaft mixer, and is configured to mix the waste introduced into the container by driving a plurality of blades in the container. At this time, the return unit 50 returns the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the mixer 70, and in the mixer 70, the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 and the crushed waste that has not been extinguished are mixed. The return unit 50 is composed of a predetermined conveying means for conveying the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 from the fire treatment unit 40 to the mixer 70. Further, the return unit 50 returns the crushed waste in which the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the mixer 70 and the crushed waste that has not been digested are mixed to the first conveying unit. The return unit 50 is composed of a predetermined conveying means for conveying the crushed waste mixed in the mixer 70 from the mixer 70 to the first conveyor 21. The crushed waste that has not been extinguished and is supplied to the mixer 70 is directly supplied from the crusher 10 to the mixer 70 by a predetermined conveying means composed of, for example, a belt conveyor device, a chain conveyor device, or a lift device. Note that the crushed waste that has not been extinguished and is supplied to the mixer 70 may be configured to be supplied from the first conveyor 21 to the mixer 70 by a predetermined conveying means.

[0038] Also at this time, in the "operation of returning the crushed waste that has been extinguished by the return unit 50 from the fire treatment unit 40 and mixing the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste that has not been extinguished" of the waste treatment device 1, the control unit 60 drives the return unit 50 to return the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the mixer 70 and inputs the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 into the container of the mixer 70. Then, the mixer 70 is driven to mix the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 with the crushed waste that has not been extinguished in the driving mixer 70. Further, the return unit 50 returns the crushed waste in which the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the mixer 70 and the crushed waste that has not been digested are mixed to the first conveyor. When the control unit 60 finishes returning the crushed waste in which the crushed waste that has been extinguished and the crushed waste that has not been digested are mixed to the first conveyor, the control unit 60 stops the driving of the return unit 50.

[0039] As described above, the return unit 50 returns the crushed waste that has been extinguished in the fire treatment unit 40 to the mixer 70 and mixes, in the mixer 70, the crushed waste that has been extinguished with the crushed waste that has not been extinguished. In this way, by mixing, in the mixer 70, the crushed waste that has been extinguished with the crushed waste that has not been extinguished, the moisture content of the crushed waste can be reduced. Therefore, even when transporting the crushed waste that has been extinguished, it is possible to suppress the excessive wetting of the conveyor 20 by the crushed waste and suppress the occurrence of failures or rust on the conveyor 20.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1 Plastic waste treatment device 10 Crusher 20 Conveyor 21 First conveyor 22 Second conveyor 23 Route switching unit 30 Fire detector 40 Fire processing unit 41 Sprinkler 50 Return unit 60 Control unit 70 Mixer

Claims

1. A waste treatment apparatus that crushes waste and conveys it to a predetermined location, comprising: a crusher that crushes the waste into crushed waste; a conveyor that conveys the crushed waste; a fire detector that detects that a fire has occurred in the crushed waste conveyed by the conveyor; a fire treatment unit that performs a process of extinguishing the fire in the crushed waste where the fire has occurred; and when a fire is detected by the fire detector, the conveyor conveys the crushed waste toward the fire treatment unit; the fire treatment unit includes a water sprinkler, and performs a process of extinguishing the fire in the crushed waste where the fire has occurred by sprinkling water with the water sprinkler; a return unit that returns the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit from the fire treatment unit, and mixes the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed.

2. The return unit returns the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit to the conveyor, and in the conveyor, mixes the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed that is being conveyed in the conveyor. The waste treatment apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The return unit returns the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit to the crusher, and in the crusher, mixes the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed in the crusher. The waste treatment apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. further comprising a mixer that mixes the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit; the return unit returns the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed in the fire treatment unit to the mixer, and in the mixer, mixes the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed with the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has not been performed in the mixer. The waste treatment apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. The return unit is configured to be able to limit the amount of the crushed waste in which the extinguishing process has been performed and returned from the fire treatment unit to a certain amount. The waste treatment apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

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