Systems and methods for treating combinations of liquids and particulate matter - Patents.com

Abstract

A system as described herein for processing a composition comprising a liquid (300) and particulate matter (400), the particulate matter comprising two or more types of particles (500) having i) a minimum particle size, ii) a density less than the density of the liquid, and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid, the system comprising a stratification machine comprising: a) a stratification chamber (100) for holding a combination of the liquid and the particulate matter, the stratification chamber having one or more side walls (101); b) a first movable sieve device (200) configured for vertical or near vertical up and down movement within the stratification chamber, during said vertical or near vertical movement, the first movable sieve device moving the first movable sieve device to move ... a first movable sieve device (200) for moving a liquid of a composition to be treated through the sieve device but not moving particulate matter in the composition to be treated through the sieve device; and c) a first drive system (600) connected to the first movable sieve device for moving the first movable sieve device in a vertical or near vertical downward and upward movement within a stratification chamber, whereby particulate matter (400) in the liquid is treated; the first drive system (600) is configured to position the first sieve device such that a lower surface (201) of the first movable sieve device is above the particulate matter in the composition to be treated, whereby the particulate matter moves downward within the stratification chamber due to the downward movement of the first movable sieve device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a stratification system and method for treating particulate matter in a liquid, the particulate matter having a lower density than the liquid and containing two or more types of particles having different fluid-mechanical properties, thereby allowing the treatment to separate the different types of particles. [Background technology]

[0002] The widespread use of plastic materials worldwide and the associated plastic waste generation and pollution are well-known challenges to the environment and have attracted significant scientific and political attention. Moreover, most plastic materials require non-renewable materials, such as fossil fuels, in their production. However, because plastic is such a versatile and useful material, it is absolutely necessary in the current industrialized society, and the annual global production of plastics has increased ever since its invention in the 1950s, exceeding 300,000,000,000 kg per year in 2019.

[0003] Although the majority of plastic waste is suitable for recycling purposes, over 90% of the world's production of plastics is incinerated, piled up, or dumped in nature. Plastic recycling is typically limited to the production of a single type of plastic, as melting and recycling several different types of plastics tends to produce polymer blends that exhibit structural and mechanical weaknesses. On average, 3 kilograms of natural oils are required to produce one kilogram of virgin plastic, making the plastics industry a large global source of greenhouse gas emissions. As millions of tons of plastic are dumped into the environment every year and the production of most plastic materials is based on fossil fuels, plastic recycling is a critical step in the transition to green energy and the pursuit of a sustainable future. As a result, plastics, and their production, place a great strain on the Earth's resources and the environment.

[0004] The most common combination of plastic waste is a mixture of PE and PP, which represents almost 80% of global waste. Both PP and PE have low densities compared to, for example, water, and developing efficient methods to sort and separate these material mixtures is essential for the sustainable recycling of these aqueous materials.

[0005] Current methods for sorting plastics, especially in particulate form, include sink-float techniques, where particulate matter is allowed to sink in a medium, so that two distinct fractions of particles are separated, one sinking to the bottom of the medium and one floating to the top, so that both fractions can be removed. Such methods have limitations in that particle separation is usually unsatisfactory, and such methods are not useful for separating mixtures of different types of particles, all of which sink or float in the medium. WO2020119873 describes a system for processing and separating particles in a liquid, where the density of the particles is higher than the density of the liquid. However, such systems are not suitable for processing and separating particles that are lighter than the liquid. Therefore, there is an urgent need for further and better solutions for sorting and separating plastics, thus providing a more sustainable recycling and reuse of plastics. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present disclosure describes stratification systems and methods that provide improvements over the deficiencies of the background art, including, but not limited to, improved stratification systems and methods that provide closed-loop quality processing and separation of particles in a mixture of particulate matter submerged in a liquid having a density greater than the particulate matter.

[0007] Thus, in a first aspect, the invention provides a stratification system for processing a composition comprising a liquid (300) and particulate matter (400), the particulate matter (400 / 500) comprising two or more types of particles (500) having i) a minimum particle size, ii) a density lower than the density of the liquid (300) and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid (300), the stratification system comprising a stratification machine comprising: a) a stratification chamber (100) for holding a combination of liquid (300) and particulate matter (400), said stratification chamber having one or more side walls (101); b) a first movable sieve device (200) configured for vertical or near-vertical up-down movement within the stratification chamber, wherein during said vertical or near-vertical movement, the first movable sieve device moves liquid (300) of the composition to be treated through the sieve device, but does not move particulate matter (400) in the composition to be treated through the sieve device; and c) a first drive system (600) connected to the first movable sieve device for moving the first movable sieve device in a vertical or near vertical downward and upward movement within the stratification chamber, whereby particulate matter (400) within the liquid is treated; The first drive system is configured to position the first sieve device so that the lower surface (201) of the first movable sieve device is above the particulate matter (400) in the composition being treated, whereby the downward movement of the first movable sieve device causes the particulate matter (400) to move downwardly within the stratification chamber.

[0008] In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a composition comprising a liquid and particulate matter, the method comprising the steps of: d) providing the stratification system of the invention; e) providing a composition to be treated comprising a liquid and particulate matter, the particulate matter comprising two or more types of particulate matter having i) a minimum particle size, ii) a density lower than the density of the liquid, and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid; f) placing the composition to be treated in a container and / or stratification chamber of the stratification system below a first sieve device of the stratification system; g) providing a series of downward and upward movements of particulate matter within the liquid by downstrokes and upstrokes of the first sieve device, each movement being characterized by an acceleration, velocity and amplitude; and h) Optionally, a discharging step is included, in which particulate matter is discharged from the vessel and / or stratification chamber.

[0009] The drawings included in this specification are illustrative and simplified for clarity, and they merely show details essential to understanding the invention, and other details may be omitted. When reference numbers are used in the drawings, specification, claims, and abstract, the same reference numbers are used for the same or corresponding parts. The figures and drawings include: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of the stratification system of the invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the different steps of particle preparation and / or sorting prior to stratification. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the different steps of stratification and subsequent steps in the stratification system of the invention. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates one embodiment of the stratification system of the invention. [Figure 5-8] 5-8. Different embodiments of particle stratification sequences are shown for the embodiment of the stratification system of FIG. [Figure 9a-b] 1 illustrates an additional embodiment of the stratification system of the invention. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates yet another embodiment of the stratification system of the invention. [Figure 11a-d] 1 shows an inventive exhaust system and additionally shows different sequences for exhausting particles. [Figure 11e]1 shows how the stratification chamber can be emptied of liquid. [Figure 12] 1 illustrates a sequence for filling a stratification chamber of a stratification system with a liquid and then filling the stratification chamber with particulate matter. [Figure 13] 13 illustrates one embodiment in which a surfactant is added to the liquid in the stratification chamber. [Figure 14] 1 shows an embodiment in which a means for removing gas, such as a mixer, is placed inside the stratification chamber. [Figure 15] 13 shows another embodiment in which a means for removing gas, such as a vibration generator, is placed inside the stratification chamber. [Figure 16] Yet another embodiment is shown in which a means for removing gas, such as a separate vibration generator, is placed inside the stratification chamber. [Figure 17] An additional embodiment is shown in which a means for removing gas, such as a vibration generator, is disposed in association with the stratification chamber. [Figure 18] Yet a further embodiment is shown in which a means for removing gas, such as a separate vibration generator, is disposed in association with the stratification chamber. [Figure 19] 19 shows a schematic overview of the different embodiments shown in FIGS. 13 to 18 for arranging the means for removing gas in a liquid; [Figure 20] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the stratification system of the invention, showing a drive system for moving the second sieve device. [Figure 21] 21 shows, in cross-section, one embodiment of a chamber seal for use in the stratification system of FIG. 20. [Figure 22] 21A-21C show, in cross-section, additional embodiments of chamber seals for use in the stratification system of FIG. 20. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] In the following detailed section of the present disclosure, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to example embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0012] Citation by reference All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, and patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In the event of a conflict between terms in this specification and terms in the incorporated references, the terms in this specification take precedence and control.

[0013] Detailed Description The features and advantages of the system described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of embodiments and examples of the stratification system with reference to the figures and drawings contained herein. One objective of the stratification system described herein is to provide an improved system and method for separating and isolating different types of materials in a mixture of materials, particularly plastics in waste materials. Thus, the stratification system described herein provides closed-circuit quality processing and separation of particles in a mixture of particulate matter submerged in a reusable liquid having a density greater than that of the particulate matter. The stratification system and method are particularly useful for sorting and separating PP and PE particles in a mixture of particulate matter, preferably using an environmentally friendly and abundantly available liquid, such as fresh water. PE and PP have a lower density than water at atmospheric pressure and temperature, which makes existing sorting techniques inadequate for this task. It is estimated that 80% of the world's plastic waste is a mixture containing PP and PE, and for this reason, the present invention provides a system and method for stratifying into separate layers and then discharging as separate fractions.

[0014] definition The term "vertical" is used herein to refer to any direction parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0015] The term "near vertical" as used herein refers to any direction within an angle of ±45° relative to gravity, such as within an angle of ±20° relative to gravity, such as within an angle of ±10° relative to gravity, such as within an angle of ±1° relative to gravity.

[0016] The term "sedimentation" as used herein refers to the movement of particles submerged in a liquid in a direction due to a force or a combination of forces. Forces include gravity, centrifugal force, mechanical force, electrical force and / or magnetic force. In addition, the sedimentation of particles in a liquid is also influenced by further properties, such as the density of the particle and the liquid, the shape and surface resistance of the particle and the viscosity and density of the liquid, and the magnitude of the force, such as gravity.

[0017] The term "settling velocity" as used herein refers to the velocity (typically vertical) of a particle suspended in a liquid under the effect of a force, typically gravity.

[0018] The term "fluid mechanical properties" as used herein refers to the interactions and interplay between settling velocity, terminal velocity, inertial effects, drag coefficient, size characteristics, morphological characteristics, surface properties, surface resistance and density of individual particles processed within the stratification chamber.

[0019] The term "hindered settling velocity" refers to the settling velocity of particles suspended in a liquid under the effect of gravity, where the ratio between particles and liquid is high and therefore the settling velocity is lower compared to a single settling particle.

[0020] The term "surface resistance" as used herein refers to the viscous or shear forces between the surface of a particle and the processing liquid.

[0021] The term "particle" is used herein to denote a localized solid material that may be attributed to a number of chemical-physical properties, such as composition, density, size and shape.

[0022] The term "particulate material" as used herein refers to solid material that is in the form of discrete particles, grains, granules, flakes, pellets, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "particles"). Particulate material comprises many particles.

[0023] The term "particle size" as used herein refers to the size of any given particle measurement as its longest diameter or diagonal. Particle size can in particular be determined according to the ISO 9276 standard.

[0024] The term "type of particle" as used herein refers to particles having different fluid mechanical properties, in particular different material compositions and associated different densities. Such material compositions may include PP, PE, PET, POM, PC, ABS, PC-ABS, PEEK, PVC or combinations thereof.

[0025] The term "PP" is used herein to refer to polypropylene.

[0026] The term "PE" is used herein to refer to polyethylene.

[0027] The term "PET" is used herein to refer to polyethylene terephthalate.

[0028] The term "POM" is used herein to refer to polyoxymethylene.

[0029] The term "PC" is used herein to refer to polycarbonate.

[0030] The term "ABS" is used herein to refer to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

[0031] The term "PEEK" is used herein to refer to polyetheretherketone.

[0032] The term "PVC" is used herein to refer to polyvinyl chloride.

[0033] The terms "stratify", "stratification" and "stratification process", and the corresponding terms "screening", "screening" and "screening process", used interchangeably herein, refer to the sedimentation of particles into separate, often horizontal layers due to their individual fluid-mechanical properties in a liquid.

[0034] The term "fluid mechanical properties" as used herein with respect to particles refers to the combined effects of drag, density, shape, diameter or diagonal, terminal velocity, hindered settling velocity and acceleration on particle movement in a liquid suspension. Particles with different material compositions and different sizes and shapes, etc., have different fluid mechanical properties.

[0035] The terms "upstroke" and "downstroke" are used herein to refer to opposite movements in the longitudinal direction of a sorting or stratification chamber. When the longitudinal direction of the stratification chamber is vertical or near vertical, a downstroke is a movement in the direction of gravity and an upstroke is a movement against the direction of gravity.

[0036] A "fraction" may be understood as a group of particles of particulate matter having substantially the same fluid mechanical properties.

[0037] The term "particle bed" as used herein refers to particles at rest against the lower surface (201) of the first sieving device (200) and / or the upper surface (203) of the second sieving device (202).

[0038] Stratification System In a first aspect, there is provided a stratification system 1 for processing a composition comprising a liquid (300) and particulate matter (400), the particulate matter comprising two or more types of particles ((400 / 500)) having i) a minimum particle size, ii) a density lower than the density of the liquid (300) and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid, the stratification system 1 comprising a stratification machine comprising: a) a vessel including a sorting or stratification chamber (100) for holding a combination of liquid and particulate matter, said stratification chamber (100) having one or more side walls 101; b) a first movable sieve device (200) configured for vertical or near-vertical up-down movement within the stratification chamber, wherein during said vertical or near-vertical movement, the first movable sieve device (200) moves liquid of the composition being treated through the sieve device, but does not move particulate matter (greater than a certain minimum size) in the composition being treated through the sieve device; and c) a first drive system (600) for moving a first movable sieve device in a vertical or near vertical downward and upward movement within the stratification chamber, whereby particulate matter within the liquid is treated; The first drive system (600) is configured to position the first sieve device (200) so that the lower surface 201 of the first movable sieve device is above the particulate matter in the composition being treated, whereby the particulate matter moves downwardly within the stratification chamber due to the downward movement of the first movable sieve device.

[0039] particle In some embodiments, the fluid-mechanical properties of the two or more types of particles (500) differ with respect to the settling velocity and / or hindered settling velocity of the particles in a liquid, which is determined and / or influenced by the surface resistivity and / or density of the particles.

[0040] The particulate matter (400) has a lower density than the liquid (300), and in some embodiments the particles being sorted have different densities, with the difference in density between different types of particles being between 0 and 5 g / cm 3 , optional 0.1~2.5g / cm 3 , optional 0.25~1.5g / cm 3 , optional 0.5-0.9g / cm 3Alternatively, the density of one type of particle is at least 1% lower than the density of another type of particle, such as at least 2% lower, such as at least 5% lower, such as at least 10% lower, such as at least 15% lower, such as at least 20% lower, such as at least 25% lower, such as at least 30% lower, such as at least 35% lower, such as at least 40% lower, such as at least 45% lower, such as at least 50% lower.

[0041] The effectiveness of the sorting may also be affected by the amount of one type of particle compared to the amount of another type of particle. Thus, the weight ratio between one type of particle and another type of particle is conveniently 1:1 to 1:1000, such as 1.1 to 1:500, for example 1:1 to 1:250, for example 1:1 to 1:100, such as 1:1 to 1:50, for example 1:1 to 1:25, for example 1:1 to 1:10, for example 1:1 to 1:5.

[0042] The particles to be sorted may originate from waste products or materials from industrial applications. Typically, the materials to be sorted originate from waste from industrial production and include several different types of materials with different fluid-mechanical properties and particle sizes. In some embodiments, the particles to be sorted are polymer waste materials, such as plastics resulting from the manufacture of polymer / plastic-containing products. Such polymer / plastic waste materials are often a combination of several different types of polymer / plastics of various particle sizes and densities mixed together. As a result, polymer / plastic waste is rarely recycled, because melting and recycling of mixed polymer / plastic waste often results in weak and poor quality polymer / plastic products due to the mixing of different types of polymer / plastic. As a result, polymer / plastic waste is usually incinerated in district heating plants or disposed of in landfills. However, using the stratification system and method described herein, polymer / plastic waste materials can be sorted and separated into different types of polymer / plastic components according to their individual densities. This can be accomplished by collecting the waste polymer / plastic and processing it on-site or by transporting it to different dedicated processing systems or plants at different locations (as shown in Figures 1 and 2), using the stratification systems and methods described in detail below.

[0043] In some embodiments, the particles to be sorted include polymer waste comprising two or more types of polymeric material with different densities. It should be noted that the stratification system and method for sorting particles is not limited to particles comprising only two types of particles with different fluid-mechanical properties, but can also be used for particles comprising more than two types of material with different fluid-mechanical properties, for example, more than three, four, five or more types of material with different densities. Thus, in some embodiments, the particulate material comprises more than two types of particles, for example up to five types of particles, for example up to ten types of particles. Thus, the particles to be sorted can comprise organic polymers, for example plastic materials. Such organic polymers can be suitably selected from PP, PE, PET, POM, PC, ABS, PC-ABS, PEEK, PVC or combinations thereof.

[0044] The particulate material to be separated can be crushed, shredded or pelletized to a suitable particle shape size depending on the ratio of the volume of separated particles to the volume of liquid in the stratification chamber. This can have the effect of improving the stratification of the separated particles in individual layers in the liquid due to the fluid-mechanical properties of the particles.

[0045] Additionally or alternatively, the particulate material to be sorted may be washed before and / or after shredding, grinding and / or pelletizing. The term "pelletizing" can be understood as a process of compressing or molding a material into the shape of a pellet. The term "pellet" can be understood as a small, round, compressed mass of material. Additionally or alternatively, the particulate material to be sorted can be pelletized so that the particles have substantially the same shape and / or size. This can have the effect of further improving the stratification process, since the effect of the shape and / or size of the particles to be sorted is reduced. In an attractive embodiment, the particles to be sorted have a shape selected from one or more of spherical, nearly spherical, cuboid, rod-like or flake-like particles. In particular, more than 75% of the particles to be sorted can be spherical, nearly spherical and / or cuboid for better storage results. In other embodiments, the longest diameter or diagonal of the particles to be sorted is between 0.01 mm and 1.000 mm, such as between 0.1 and 500 mm, such as between 1 mm and 10 mm. In other embodiments, the longest diameter or diagonal of the particles to be sorted is less than 100 times between the smallest and largest longest diameter or diagonal, such as less than 50 times, such as less than 25 times, such as less than 10 times. In some embodiments, at least 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 95% of the particles to be sorted may be within a defined range of the ratio of the smallest to the largest particle size. This can have the effect of ensuring optimal stratification efficiency, since the effect of particle size differences on the stratification process is kept within limits. The specified range of ratios may be from a 1:1 ratio between the smallest and largest particle sizes or diagonals to a ratio of 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, 1:10, 1:11, 1:12, 1:13, 1:14, 1:15, 1:16, 1:17, 1:18, 1:19, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 1:60, 1:70, 1:80, 1:90 or 1:100.

[0046] The effectiveness of sorting may also be affected by the difference in density between the particles to be sorted and the liquid, thus in some embodiments the density of the particles to be sorted is at least 1% lower than the density of the liquid, such as at least 2% lower, such as at least 5% lower, for example at least 10% lower, such as at least 15% lower, for example at least 20% lower, such as at least 25% lower, for example at least 30% lower, such as at least 35% lower, for example at least 40% lower, such as at least 45% lower, for example at least 50% lower.

[0047] The effectiveness of sorting and the capacity of the stratification system may also be influenced by the height of the particle bed resting on the sieving device disclosed herein. The particle bed may be formed both under the lower side of the first sieving device and / or above the upper side of the second sieving device depending on the fluid mechanical properties of the particles in the liquid. In a further embodiment, the height of the particle bed in the stratification system in use is between 1 cm and 1000 cm, such as between 5 cm and 500 cm, such as between 10 cm and 100 cm, such as between 20 cm and 50 cm. Particularly interesting are particle beds having a height between 25 cm and 35 cm.

[0048] In yet another embodiment, the particulate matter and particles described herein may be similar or the same as the particulate matter and particles described in WO2020 / 119873, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] liquid The liquid in the stratification chamber preferably has properties such as density or viscosity that are selected based on the fluid-mechanical properties, such as density, of the different types of material being sorted. The properties of the liquid can be selected such that it is an average of one or more of the fluid-mechanical properties of the particles being sorted. Additionally or alternatively, the properties of the liquid can be manipulated by additives, magnetism, physical treatments. Additionally or alternatively, different property liquids may be used.

[0050] In some embodiments, the liquid (300) in the stratified system is preferably less than 0.5 g / cm3 ~3g / cm 3 has a density of

[0051] Preferably, the liquid may be water or an aqueous solution, optionally including a surfactant (1100) and / or one or more biocides. Surfactants may be added to the liquid to reduce the surface tension in the liquid, which may have the effect of reducing air in the liquid, thus improving the stratification process of the particles being sorted. Biocides may be added to reduce microbial growth and biofilms in the stratification system, which would make sorting less effective. Biocides may also allow for recycling of the liquid.

[0052] To facilitate the effectiveness of the sorting process, the volume ratio between particles and liquid is above 1:100 (1% particles), such as above 1:50 (2% particles), such as above 1:25 (4% ​​particles), such as above 1:10 (10% particles). In some embodiments, the volume ratio between particles and liquid is below 4:1 (80% particles), such as below 2:1 (67% particles), such as 1:1 (50% particles). More particularly, in some embodiments, the volume ratio is between 1:10 and 1:1.

[0053] In yet another embodiment, the liquids described herein may be similar or the same as those described in WO2020 / 119873, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] Stratification Chamber The stratification chamber (100) is preferably in the form of a container having a bottom and one or more side walls (101) that can contain the movable sieving device(s) (200 / 202) and the liquid (300) and particulate matter / particles (400 / 500), and can accommodate the movable sieving devices (200 / 202) and their respective drive systems (600) to allow vertical or near vertical up and down movement within the stratification chamber.

[0055] The inner shape of the stratification chamber (100) can be a column with a circular, ellipsoidal, cubioid or polygonal base shape, with the lower base located below the first movable sieve device (200) and, optionally, below the second movable sieve device (202).

[0056] The stratification chamber (100) preferably has a volume of at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 10000, or 20000 liters. The stratification chamber (100) preferably has one or more inlets (103) for admitting liquid (300) and / or particulate matter (400) into the stratification chamber (100). The inlet for introducing the particulate material is preferably located below the first movable sieving device (optionally at its highest position) and optionally above the second sieving device (optionally at its lowest position), so that the particulate material is introduced into the stratification chamber just below the first movable sieving device and optionally above the second sieving device. The inlet for the liquid can be the same as that for the particulate material or can be separate. The particles to be separated can be added before the liquid, together with the liquid or after the liquid.

[0057] Furthermore, the stratification chamber (100) preferably has one or more outlets for allowing liquid and / or particulate matter to exit the stratification chamber. The outlet (104) for allowing liquid to exit is preferably located at the bottom of the stratification chamber, optionally below the second sieving device, as shown in Figure 11e. The outlet for allowing particulate matter to exit is preferably part of or associated with a discharge system (900), as shown in Figures 11a-11e, and is arranged such that the first sieving device (200) can be raised by its drive system (600) or other means to a position above the outlet and above a discharge height, where the particulate matter can be discharged from the stratification chamber.

[0058] In some embodiments, the stratification chamber (100) is designed such that the movable sieve device substantially seals against one or more side walls of the stratification chamber. This can have the effect of more effectively moving the particles being sorted out, since substantially all of the particles can be moved by the movable sieve device and no particles will bypass the sieve device at the edges. Such a seal can include at least one lip seal.

[0059] Additionally, the stratification chamber can be fluidly coupled to a fluid compensation system configured to deliver and receive liquid to and from the container and / or stratification chamber below the first movable sieve device, such that liquid can be supplied to the stratification chamber when the volume below the first movable sieve device increases due to upward movement of the first movable sieve device and liquid can be received from the stratification chamber when the volume below the first movable sieve device decreases due to downward movement of the first movable sieve device. Similarly, liquid can be supplied to the stratification chamber when the volume below the second movable sieve device increases due to upward movement of the second and / or first movable sieve devices and liquid can be received from the stratification chamber when the volume below the second movable sieve device decreases due to downward movement of the second movable sieve device.

[0060] In addition to the inlet and outlet, the stratification chamber may further include one or more sealed openings that allow the movable drive shaft of the drive system to penetrate one or more walls of the stratification chamber. Such sealed openings are preferably designed to allow the drive shaft to move and operate during the sorting process while simultaneously sealing the stratification chamber from the outside environment. Such sealed openings may be cylindrical or any other shape that is compatible with the drive shaft and seal. As shown in Figures 21-22, the sealed opening may include a top housing body (1001) and a bottom housing body (1002). The top housing body (1001) and the bottom housing body (1002) may be detachably interconnected by fastening means, such as bolts, screws, adhesives, threads, etc. The sealed opening may further include one or more threaded holes (1007). The sealed opening may further include one or more through holes (1008). The sealed opening may optionally include one or more sealing elements in the form of wiper seals (1003), rod seals, o-ring seals, etc. A "wiper seal" should be understood as a sealing element that maintains sealing contact with the shaft when the shaft is stationary (static, no reciprocating movement of the shaft) and when it is moving (dynamic, reciprocating movement of the shaft). A "rod seal" should be understood as a sealing element that maintains sealing contact in a sliding movement between the chamber seal and the shaft. The rod seal may further include a lubricating film. An "o-ring seal" should be understood as a ring-shaped mechanical sealing element with a circular cross section. The sealing element may be housed in a sealed opening. One or more sealing elements may be housed in the top and / or bottom housing body. The one or more sealing elements may be substantially identical or may be different from each other.The one or more sealing elements may be made in whole or in part from natural or synthetic rubber, such as BR, NBR, HNBR, EPDM, SiR, etc.; from metals, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, etc.; from polymers, such as PTFE, PE, TPU, TPE, LDPE, HDPE, LLDPE, ULDPE, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0061] The sealed opening may, in some embodiments, include one or more flanges as well as one or more guide elements for guiding the drive shaft. The one or more guide elements may be in the form of a guide ring (1009), a linear guide, e.g., a linear ball bearing, a friction guide, etc. A "guide ring" should be understood as a ring-shaped guide element that guides the shaft. The guide ring may prevent contact between the shaft and the chamber seal (1000).

[0062] The sealed opening, in some embodiments, may further include one or more o-ring seals (1004) for sealing between the sealed opening and the stratification chamber. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sealed opening may include one or more wiper seals (1003) and / or one or more rod seals (1005) for sealing between the sealed opening and the drive shaft. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sealed opening may include one or more guide elements for guiding the shaft. Such guide elements may be in the form of rod guide rings (1009) and / or linear ball bearings. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sealed opening may include means for retaining and / or securing the seals and / or guide elements within the sealed opening.

[0063] The sealed opening housing can be positioned and sealed against the inside or outside of the stratification chamber wall, or there can be a housing that seals on both sides of the stratification chamber wall, or one portion of the housing can be positioned and sealed against the inside of the stratification chamber wall while another portion of the housing is matingly positioned and sealed against the outside of the stratification chamber wall.

[0064] In one embodiment, the seal between the shaft and the sealed opening includes one or more wiper seals, one or more guide rings, one or more rod seals, and one or more linear guides.

[0065] In yet another embodiment, the stratification chambers described herein may be similar or identical to the stratification chambers described in WO2020 / 119873, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] Sieve device The stratification system described herein includes a first and, optionally, a second movable sieve device. The first and, optionally, the second movable sieve device described herein can be any sieve device suitable for passing the liquid in the stratification system through the sieve device while retaining at least a portion of the particulate matter to be separated, and suitable for mounting on a drive system for moving the sieve device. The sieve device also has resilience to withstand the strain / stress caused by the upward and downward movement required to separate the particulate material.

[0067] The first sieve device (200) may have the same or a mirrored design as the optional second sieve device (202), or they may differ in design.

[0068] The sieve devices described herein can be manufactured from any suitable material that provides the desired properties, such as durability, flexibility and processability, such as metals, synthetic or natural polymers, or mineral materials or composites thereof.

[0069] In some embodiments, the sieving device comprises a porous sieve, such as a metal sieve or grid having sieve openings that allow liquid to pass through the sieve but retain particulate matter having a certain minimum size, In particular embodiments, the sieving device is a plate sieve, optionally manufactured from metal or synthetic polymer or combinations thereof, containing through holes or openings of the desired dimensions.

[0070] In some embodiments, the sieving device is a plate sieve having sieve through holes or openings with a longest diameter or diagonal smaller than a predetermined minimum particle size of the particulate matter, such that particulate matter having a size larger than the minimum particle size is retained in the stratification chamber, below the lower surface of the first movable sieving device and, optionally, above the upper surface of the second movable sieving device.

[0071] In other embodiments, the sieving device comprises a porous material having pores with a longest diameter or diagonal smaller than a predetermined minimum particle size of the particulate matter, such that particulate matter having a size larger than the minimum particle size is retained within the stratification chamber, below the lower surface of the first movable sieving device and, optionally, above the upper surface of the second movable sieving device.

[0072] In a further embodiment, the apparatus described herein has one or more outer edges disposed in close proximity to one or more side walls of the stratification chamber during vertical or near vertical movement, where the distance between the outer edge(s) of the sieving apparatus and the one or more side walls is less than a predetermined minimum particle size of the particulate matter. More particularly, the distance between the outer edge and the side wall of the sieving apparatus is preferably 0 mm to 5 mm, for example 0 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0073] In some embodiments, the sieving device is 0.1 m 2 ~100m 2 , for example 1m 2 ~25m 2 has an upper or lower area of

[0074] Second sieve In some embodiments, the stratification systems described herein further comprise: i) a second movable sieve device (202) configured for vertical or near vertical up-down movement within the stratification chamber (100), wherein during said vertical or near vertical movement, the second movable sieve device allows liquid of the composition to be treated to pass through but does not allow particulate matter (greater than a certain minimum size) in the composition to be treated to pass through; and j) a second drive system for moving a second movable sieve device within the stratification chamber in a vertical or near vertical upward and downward movement, whereby particulate matter within the liquid is treated; The second drive system is configured to position the second sieve device (202) so that the upper surface (203) of the second movable sieve device is below the particulate matter in the composition to be treated, whereby particulate matter contacting the upper surface of the second movable sieve device moves upwardly within the stratification chamber due to the upward movement of the second movable sieve device, thereby treating the composition as shown in Figure 4.

[0075] The first drive system can be configured to lift the first movable sieve device (200) above a discharge height (at which height the particles can be discharged, in whole or in part), while the second drive system can be configured to lift the second movable sieve device 202 and place the particles resting on the upper surface of the second movable sieve device at the discharge height, which is the height at which the sorted particles are lifted, in whole or in part, above the surface of the liquid.

[0076] In yet another embodiment, the second sieve device 202 described herein may be similar or the same as the sieve described in WO2020 / 119873, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0077] Drive system The drive systems (600) described herein can provide vertical or near vertical movement of the sieve apparatus within the stratification chamber. The first and, optionally, second drive systems described herein include a drive engine (605) connected to the first and, optionally, second sieve apparatus via a drive shaft (606).

[0078] In some embodiments, the drive engine may comprise a linear drive or a positioning drive. The linear drive and / or the positioning drive may comprise an (electric) motor (605) and / or a linear guide.

[0079] The drive system may further include one or more control units configured to control and / or adjust motion parameters of the movable sieve device, the control units being capable of controlling and / or adjusting both the predetermined sorting movement of the movable sieve device and the movement of the movable sieve device during the sorting process.

[0080] In one embodiment, the predefined sorting motion comprises a series of vertical or near vertical upstrokes and vertical or near vertical downstrokes through the liquid in the stratification chamber (100). The amplitude of the upstrokes and / or downstrokes may be different and may be adjusted over time. The speed of the upstrokes and / or downstrokes may be different and may be adjusted over time. The acceleration of the upstrokes and / or downstrokes may be different and may be adjusted over time. Similarly, successive upstrokes may be different from each other and successive downstrokes may be different from each other. This may provide an improved stratification process, since the motion parameters of the upstrokes and downstrokes may be selected with optimal efficiency for a given type of liquid and particulate matter and stratification conditions. The term "upstrokes and / or downstrokes may be different" should be understood herein as one upstroke and / or downstroke may exhibit one type of vertical or near vertical motion and another upstroke and / or downstroke may exhibit a different type of vertical or near vertical motion, i.e. the motion parameters, such as amplitude, speed, acceleration and / or interruption at the end or beginning of the stroke, are different.

[0081] In some embodiments, the predetermined sorting operation parameters can be adjusted based on the type of particles being sorted, based on the ratio of the volume of the particles being sorted to the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber, or based on the height of the particle bed. This can have the effect of optimizing the stratification process for optimal efficiency based on (i) the type of particles being sorted, (ii) the ratio between the volume of the particles being sorted and the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber, and / or (iii) the height of the particle bed. The predetermined sorting operation parameters can also be adjusted during the sorting process, for example, towards the end of the sorting cycle.

[0082] In other embodiments, the duration of the stratification process can be adjusted according to the number of upstrokes and downstrokes. Furthermore, the duration of the stratification process can be adjusted according to the cycle time, i.e., the time from the start of stratification to the completion of the stratification process. The term "adjusted over time" as used herein should be understood as changed over time, e.g., changed over time during the sorting process. A further element of this embodiment is included in which the amplitude of the upstrokes and / or downstrokes can be adjusted according to the ratio of the volume of the particles to be sorted to the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber. This can have the effect of improving the stratification process of the particles to be sorted, since different amplitudes of the upstrokes and downstrokes can affect the efficiency of stratification, especially in relation to the volume of the particles to be sorted, more particularly, the ratio of the volume of the particles to be sorted to the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber. Experimental results show that the most effective stroke amplitude in terms of cycle time and settling of particles ((400 / 500)) appears to depend on the volume of particles / granular material and the volume of fluid in the stratification or stratification chamber. The higher the volume of particles being sorted, the higher the solids volume fraction, which can have the effect of reducing the average settling velocity of the particles (hindered settling) and therefore reducing the stratification efficiency.

[0083] Additionally or alternatively, the acceleration of the upstroke and / or downstroke can be adjusted according to the ratio between the volume of the particles to be sorted and the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber. This can have the effect of further improving the efficiency of the stratification process, as it has been found that the acceleration of the upstroke and / or downstroke has a significant effect on the stratification process. Being able to adjust the acceleration of the upstroke and / or downstroke according to the ratio between the volume of the particles to be sorted and the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber can have the effect that the stratification process is optimized for optimal efficiency for a given load scenario.

[0084] Additionally or alternatively, the speed of the upstroke and / or downstroke can be adjusted according to the ratio between the volume of the particles to be sorted and the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber. The speed of the upstroke and / or downstroke can be adjusted according to the ratio between the volume of the particles to be sorted and the volume of the liquid in the stratification chamber. This can have the effect of further optimizing the stratification process and thus improving the efficiency of the sorting method.

[0085] The term "load" is to be understood here as the volume of particles to be sorted and the volume of liquid in the stratification chamber.

[0086] Additionally or alternatively, there is a pause between the completion of an upstroke and / or downstroke and the start of the next downstroke and / or upstroke. This can have the effect of improving the efficiency of the stratification process. The pause between the completion of an upstroke and / or downstroke and the start of the next downstroke and / or upstroke can improve the settling of the particles to be sorted into individual layers in the liquid as governed by the fluid-mechanical properties of the particles, thus improving the stratification process. Experimental results show that the pause between the upstroke and / or downstroke and the next downstroke and / or upstroke is very important for efficient stratification of the particles. In some embodiments, the pause between the completion of an upstroke and / or downstroke and the start of the next downstroke and / or upstroke is at least 0.5 seconds. The pause between an upstroke and / or downstroke and the next downstroke and / or upstroke can be at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 or 150 seconds.

[0087] Thus, in some embodiments, in the stratification systems described herein, the first and, optionally, second drive systems are independently configurable to move the first and, optionally, second movable sieve devices in a stratification or sorting operation that includes a series of vertical or near-vertical downstrokes and upstrokes through the liquid in the stratification chamber.

[0088] In a further embodiment, in the stratification system described herein, the first and optionally second drive systems are independently configurable to pause the movement of the first and optionally second movable sieve devices between the completion of a downstroke and / or upstroke movement of the first and optionally second movable sieve devices and the start of a next upstroke and / or downstroke movement. The pause or rest period between the upstrokes and / or downstrokes may be at least 0.5 seconds, such as at least 1 second, or, for example, at least 1.5 seconds, such as at least 5 seconds, for example at least 20 seconds.

[0089] In further embodiments, in the stratification systems described herein, the first and, optionally, second drive systems are independently configurable to adjust the acceleration, speed and / or amplitude of the downstroke and / or upstroke of the first and, optionally, second movable sieve devices. In some embodiments, the first and, optionally, second drive systems are configured to adjust the acceleration, speed and / or amplitude of the downstroke and / or upstroke of the first and, optionally, second movable sieve devices. 2 ~10.000mm / s 2 , e.g. 5mm / s 2 ~5.000mm / s 2 , e.g. 10mm / s 2 ~1.000mm / s 2 , e.g. 20mm / s 2 ~500mm / s 2 , e.g. 50mm / s 2 ~100mm / s 2In another embodiment, the first and optionally second drive systems are independently configurable to adjust the speed to between 1 mm / s and 10.000 mm / s, such as between 5 mm / s and 5.000 mm / s, such as between 10 mm / s and 1.000 mm / s, such as between 20 mm / s and 500 mm / s, such as between 50 mm / s and 100 mm / s. In particular, the first and optionally second drive systems are independently configurable to adjust the speed to be greater than the settling velocity and / or interference settling velocity, such as up to 10% greater, such as up to 20% greater, such as up to 30% greater, such as up to 40% greater, such as up to 50% greater, such as up to 60% greater, such as up to 60% greater, such as up to 70% greater, such as up to 80% greater, such as up to 90% greater, such as 100% greater or more. In some embodiments, the first and, optionally, second drive systems are independently configurable to adjust the amplitude between 1 mm and 50 m, such as between 10 mm and 25 m, such as between 100 mm and 20 m, such as between 500 mm and 15 m, such as between 1 m and 10 m, such as between 2 m and 5 m. In some embodiments, in the stratification systems described herein, the first drive system is configurable to adjust the amplitude of the movement of the first sieving device between an upper rest position and a maximum lower position during processing of the composition to be treated, ensuring that particulate matter remains submerged in the liquid during processing. In an optional embodiment, in the stratification systems described herein, the second drive system is configurable to adjust the amplitude of the movement of the second sieving device between a lower rest position and a maximum upper position during processing of the composition to be treated. The maximum lower position of the first sieve device during processing is preferably above the maximum upper position of the second sieve device, or these positions may overlap when synchronizing the movements for the first and, optionally, second sieve devices to avoid collisions between the sieve devices.

[0090] In a further embodiment, in the stratified systems described herein, the first and, optionally, second drive systems are independently configurable to adjust amplitude, velocity and / or acceleration during a stroke.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first and optional second drive systems can be powered by one common power source or engine, or they can be powered by separate power sources or engines. Whether using a common or separate power source, the movement provided by the first and optional second drive systems is preferably synchronized.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first and second sieve apparatus can be electrically interconnected such that the first drive system can drive both the first and, optionally, the second sieve apparatus.

[0093] The drive system described herein may be similar or the same as the drive system described in WO2020 / 119873, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0094] Emission System In some embodiments, the stratification system includes a means for discharging the particles (500) after processing in the stratification chamber (100). Processing of the particles in the stratification chamber divides the particles into layers (550) of similar fluid-mechanical properties, and thus in some embodiments, the means for discharging the particles includes a discharge system (800) configured to discharge the particles in rounds or cycles, where particles having similar fluid-mechanical properties are discharged in small amounts each discharge round or cycle, and optionally particles in portions of one or more layers (550) of particles are discharged each discharge round or cycle. Particles of similar fluid-mechanical properties may occupy several layers of the sorted particles, and thus in some embodiments, the discharge system (800) is configured such that the particles are discharged in small amounts, one layer per discharge round or cycle, while in other embodiments, the discharge system (800) is configured such that two, three, four or more layers are discharged per discharge round or cycle. In further embodiments, the discharge system 800 is configured such that the number of layers discharged per discharge cycle varies during the discharging process. For example, the configuration may preferably include that at the beginning of the discharge process the number of layers discharged per discharge cycle can be high, e.g. two or more layers, while towards reaching a layer of particles having different fluid-mechanical properties than the particles initially discharged the number of layers discharged per discharge cycle is reduced, e.g. to two or one layer.

[0095] In a further embodiment, the discharge system (800) provides for top-to-bottom or vice versa discharge of layers. This can have the effect of simplifying the discharge process, since the layers (550) can be discharged through the same outlet and separate discharge outlets are not required. It can have the further effect of maintaining the discharge order of the discharged layers. This in turn allows for more efficient handling of the discharged layers in subsequent processes, such as, for example, washing, drying, packaging, storage and / or shipping.

[0096] Thus, in some embodiments, the stratification systems described herein include a discharge system (800) for discharging particulate matter from the liquid in the stratification chamber, the discharge system being configurable to discharge one or more, optionally a top layer, of the particulate matter. Further, in one embodiment, the discharge system is configurable to repeatedly discharge one or more, optionally a top layer, of particles (500) of the particulate matter.

[0097] In some embodiments, the discharge system (800) includes one or more, optionally, scraping devices (802) that can be configured to sequentially scrape the top layer of particles (500) to a desired location, such as onto a container (803), as shown in Figures 11a-11e, which disclose a sequence for discharging layers of particles from the stratification chamber.

[0098] The evacuation system may also include an extractor, which in some embodiments may be a vacuum device. Such a vacuum device may evacuate single or multiple layers from the stratification chamber by sucking the layer(s) and emptying them at a desired location.

[0099] The exhaust system may also include both a scraper and a vacuum device.

[0100] The discharge system can be configured to cooperate with a means for placing the sorted particles at a predetermined location, for example at a selected discharge height. This can be achieved, for example, by lifting the bed of sorted particles to said discharge height, where the particles can be discharged. In this embodiment, the first drive system can preferably be configured to lift the first mobile sieve device above the discharge height, where the particulate matter can be discharged. Furthermore, when the stratification system includes a second sieve device and a second drive system, the second drive system can be configured to lift the second mobile sieve device and place the sorted particles resting on the upper surface of the second mobile sieve device at the discharge height. The discharge height is preferably a height at which the particles are lifted, in whole or in part, above the surface of the liquid.

[0101] Identification The stratification system described herein may also include means for identifying and / or detecting particles of different fluid-mechanical properties, in particular for detecting and / or distinguishing a layer of particles having one predominant type of fluid-mechanical properties from a layer of particles having a different predominant type of fluid-mechanical properties. Thus, the stratification system described herein may preferably further include an identification system (900) for identifying different types of particles (500) having different fluid-mechanical properties, said identification system including at least one detector capable of detecting differences in said fluid-mechanical properties. Additionally or alternatively, the detector may also distinguish one or more characteristics of the chemical composition of one type of particle (500) from one or more characteristics of the chemical composition of another type of particle (500). Said detector may preferably include a camera for detecting UV, visible, mid-infrared and / or infrared, or an image of one or more, optionally the top layer, of particulate matter. In figures 9a, 9b and 10, different embodiments of the position of the identification system (900) are shown.

[0102] Additionally or alternatively, the detector may detect a transition between fractions of sorted particles having different fluid-mechanical properties during or after the discharge of the sorted particles from the stratification chamber. Identification of the transition may also be accomplished optically by a camera detecting UV, visible, mid-infrared and / or infrared or an image. The term "transition" may be understood as the point between subsequently discharged sorted particles where one fraction of sorted particles ends and the next fraction of sorted particles begins.

[0103] Additionally or alternatively, transition zones or layers in which particles cannot be satisfactorily sorted can be removed separately and re-sorted. Additionally or alternatively, the order in which the layers of sorted particle fractions are discharged from the stratification chamber is maintained in at least one subsequent process. This can have the effect of improving the efficiency of subsequent processes, such as storing and packaging the discharged fractions of particles as highlighted above. Additionally or alternatively, the layers of sorted particle fractions are stored and / or packaged according to their order of discharge from the stratification chamber.

[0104] Additional System Elements In further embodiments, the stratification systems described herein may further comprise means for removing gas, e.g., air, from the liquid during the stratification process. The liquid may contain gas (940), usually in the form of bubbles, generated during the filling process or generated by the sorting operation during stratification, which may significantly impede the effectiveness of sorting. Means for removing gas (950) may include devices providing agitation or vibration, such as an agitator (951) and / or an ultrasonic generator (952). In figures 14-19 different embodiments for removing gas are shown.

[0105] In addition, the stratification systems described herein can include one or more pressure gauges for measuring pressure in the stratification chamber during the screening process. In one embodiment, such pressure gauges can be located in the stratification chamber below the first sieving device, for example below the lowest position of the first sieving device.

[0106] In addition, the stratification system described herein may include one or more additional visual detectors, e.g., cameras, inside the stratification chamber to monitor the sorting process and its progress. Such detectors are suitably positioned and configured to receive optical signals from inside the stratification chamber carrying information about the composition of the liquid and particles. Such detectors provide the advantage of monitoring the sorting process and the ability to detect, for example, when the sorting process is completed. In Figures 9a, 9b and 10, the different detectors and their positions are shown together with the identification system.

[0107] In addition, the stratification systems described herein may include one or more strain gauges connected to the first and / or second drive systems and configured to monitor the strain or force transmitted by the drive engine through the drive shaft to the sieve device(s). Such strain gauges provide the advantage of monitoring the force applied to the sieve device(s) during the sorting process, and thus, for example, adjusting the acceleration of the sieve device(s).

[0108] In addition, the stratification systems described herein can include one or more weight detectors configured to weigh the particles prior to sorting. Such strain weight detectors provide the advantage of dispensing the correct amount of particles into the sorting system, which is important to have an optimal sorting process, both in terms of capacity and sorting quality.

[0109] method In another aspect, also described herein is a stratification method for treating a composition comprising a liquid and particulate matter, comprising the steps of: a) providing a stratification system as described herein; b) providing a composition to be treated comprising a liquid and particulate matter, the particulate matter comprising two or more types of particulate matter having i) a minimum particle size, ii) a density lower than the density of the liquid, and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid; c) placing the composition to be treated in a container and / or stratification chamber of the stratification system below a first sieve device of the stratification system; d) providing a series of downward and upward movements of the particulate matter within the liquid by downstrokes and upstrokes of the first sieve device, each movement being characterized by an acceleration, velocity and amplitude, whereby the particulate matter is stratified or separated into layers (500) of particles having similar fluid-mechanical properties; and e) Optionally, discharging one or more layers of particulate matter from the container and / or stratification chamber into one or more separate containers.

[0110] Example - Sorting of granular material composed of PE and PP A composition of 7% PP (polypropylene) and 93% PE (polyethylene), both of which have a density lower than water, was crushed and sieved using a 6 mm mesh size. The particle size ranged from 2 mm to 6 mm, with the average size of the granular material being 4.5 mm. The crushed particles had flake and 3D solid shapes. The particle characteristics were as follows: [Table 1]

[0111] The two types of plastic particles were stratified using the separator shown in the figure, which is equipped with a first upper movable plate sieve and a second lower movable plate sieve, both connected to a drive system to move the sieves vertically. The system has a capacity of 64 L or 0.064 m 3 The sieving chamber had a volume of 1.0 kg, and 8.3 kg of the particulate composition and 41.8 liters of water were loaded into the stratification chamber below the first upper plate sieve and above the second lower plate sieve. A detergent was added to the water to reduce the surface tension of the water. Upon loading the particles and water into the stratification chamber, the particles formed a particle bed below the lower surface of the first sieve. The first sieve was lowered in the stratification chamber, so that the particle bed was pushed 150 mm below the water surface and the particles were covered with water at all positions on the sieve during the screening process.

[0112] The first upper movable plate sieve was configured to follow a predetermined motion pattern consisting of a series of vertical down and up strokes through the liquid, while the position of the first upper movable plate was not allowed to be higher than the height of the water surface.

[0113] The predetermined motion pattern included the following steps: a) The vertical downstroke of the first top sieve pushed the particles downwards, creating space for the next vertical upstroke of the first top sieve. b) The first upper sieve was moved upwards with a specific movement to a maximum position where the particles settled to the lower surface of the first upper sieve. c) The action of the first upper sieve was interrupted for 5 seconds after completion of the upstroke, allowing the particles to reform the particle bed at the underside of the first upper sieve. d) Steps a) through c) were repeated until the particles were acceptably stratified into layers consisting of PE and PP.

[0114] The system was configured as follows: [Table 2]

[0115] The rate at which the particles settled was observed to be dependent on and related to the fluid-mechanical properties, including the density of the particles being screened: PP particles were lighter particles, settled faster and were most highly concentrated in the particle bed closest to the underside of the first top sieve, and PE particles were heavier particles, settled slower and were least concentrated in the particle bed furthest from the underside of the first top sieve.

[0116] After completing the stratification process, the first upper sieve was moved above the water level and the second lower sieve was raised and configured to bring the particle bed, now resting on the upper surface of the second lower sieve, to a discharge height, where the upper part of the particle bed rose above the water level, so that the top layer of particles (PP) was above the water level. A scraper configured to scrape off the top layer of particles (PP) above the water level wiped the particle bed and scraped off the top layer of particles (PP) into a dedicated container. The second lower sieve was raised to bring the next layer of particles to the discharge height, and the scraping process was repeated. This process was repeated until a change in particle type (PE) was detected. The discharge process was repeated and the particles (PE) were scraped off into a separate container.

[0117] After sorting the particles and discharging them into separate fractions, random samples were removed from each fraction and analyzed for purity. Analysis showed that one fraction had 99.54% PE particles and 0.46% PP particles, while the other fraction had 99.29% PP particles and 0.71% PE particles.

[0118] Reference number 1: Stratification system 100: Stratification chamber 101: Side wall 102: Stratification chamber base 103: Stratification chamber inlet 104: Stratification chamber outlet 200: First sieve device 201: Lower surface of first sieve device 202: Second sieve device 203: Upper surface of second sieve device 300:Liquid 400: Particulate matter 500: Particle 550: Particle layer 600: Drive system 605: Driving engine 606: Drive shaft 609: Shaft connector 800: Emission system 802:Scraping device 803: Container 900: Identification System 940: Gas 950: Means for removing gas 951: Agitator 952: Ultrasonic or vibration generators 1000: Chamber seal 1001: Upper housing body 1002: Bottom housing body 1003: Wiper seal 1004: O-ring 1005: Rod seal 1006: Holding element 1007: Screw hole 1008:Through hole 1009: Rod guide ring 1010: Flange 1100: Surfactants

Claims

1. A system for processing a composition comprising a liquid (300) and particulate matter (400), The particulate matter comprises two or more types of particles (500) having i) minimum particle size; ii) density lower than the density of the liquid; and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid. The aforementioned system includes a stratification machine that includes the following: a) A stratification chamber (100) for holding a combination of liquid and particulate matter, the stratification chamber (100) having one or more side walls (101); b) A first movable sieving device (200) configured to move vertically or nearly vertically within the stratification chamber, wherein during the vertical or nearly vertical movement, the first movable sieving device allows the liquid of the composition to be processed to move through the sieving device, but does not allow particulate matter in the composition to be processed to move through the sieving device; and c) A first drive system (600) connected to the first movable sieve device, for moving the first movable sieve device in vertical or near-vertical downward and upward movements within the stratification chamber, thereby processing the particulate matter (400) in the liquid; The first drive system is configured such that the lower surface (201) of the first movable sieve is above the particulate matter in the composition being processed, thereby causing the particulate matter to move downward within the stratification chamber as the first movable sieve moves downward. system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid-mechanical properties of the two or more types of particles differ in respect to the particle sedimentation velocity in the liquid, wherein optionally, The two or more types of particles differ in surface resistance, shape, and / or density; The density difference between the aforementioned different types of particles is 0 to 5 g / cm³; The particulate matter includes more than two types of particles, for example, up to five types of particles, for example, up to ten types of particles; The particles have a shape selected from one or more of spherical, nearly spherical, rectangular, rod-shaped, or flake-shaped particles; More than 75% of the aforementioned particles are spherical, nearly spherical, and / or rectangular; The longest diameter or diagonal of the aforementioned particles is 0.01 mm to 1.000 mm, for example, 1 mm to 10 mm; The longest diameter or diagonal of the particles in the particulate matter is in the range of less than 100 times between the minimum and maximum longest diameters; The density of the particles is at least 1% lower than the density of the liquid; The density of the aforementioned particles is 0.5–5.0 g / cm³; The density of one type of particle is at least 1% lower than the density of another type of particle; The weight ratio between one type of particle and another type of particle is 1:1 to 1:1000; and / or The particulate material includes an organic polymer material, such as a plastic material; and / or the organic polymer is selected from PP, PE, PET, POM, PC, ABS, PC-ABS, PEEK, PVC, or a combination thereof; The system according to claim 1.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the particles form a particle bed having a height of 1 cm to 1000 cm.

4. The liquid has a density of 0.5 g / cm³ to 3 g / cm³, and the system according to claim 1, optionally, The liquid (300) is water or an aqueous solution; The liquid comprises a surfactant and / or one or more biocides; The volume ratio between the particles and the liquid is greater than 1%; The volume ratio between particles and liquid is between 1:100 and 4:

1. The system according to claim 1.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stratification chamber has an inner column shape having a circular, ellipsoidal, rectangular, or polygonal base.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stratification chamber has a volume of at least 500, for example, at least 1000, for example, at least 2000, for example, at least 3000 liters.

7. The stratification chamber has one or more inlets (103) for introducing a liquid and / or particulate matter into the stratification chamber, and the first drive system can be configured to position the first movable sieve device vertically above or near vertically above the one or more inlets, so that the liquid and / or particulate matter is introduced into the stratification chamber directly below the first movable sieve device, according to claim 1.

8. The stratification chamber has one or more outlets (104) for releasing particulate matter out of the stratification chamber, and the first drive system can be configured to lift the first movable sieve device vertically or nearly vertically above the one or more outlets, according to claim 1.

9. a) a second movable sieving device (202) configured to move vertically or nearly vertically within the stratification chamber, wherein during the vertical or nearly vertical movement, the second movable sieving device allows the liquid of the composition to be processed to pass through, but does not allow particulate matter in the composition to be processed to pass through; and b) A second drive system for moving the second movable sieve device in vertical or near-vertical upward and downward movements within the stratification chamber, thereby processing the particulate matter in the liquid. The system according to claim 1 further includes, The second drive system is configured to position the second sieve device such that the upper surface (203) of the second movable sieve device is below the particulate matter in the composition to be processed, thereby causing the particulate matter in contact with the upper surface of the second movable sieve device to move upward within the stratification chamber as the second movable sieve device moves upward, thereby processing the composition. The system according to claim 1.

10. The system according to claim 1 or 9, wherein the first movable sieve device and / or the second movable sieve device has a surface area of ​​0.1 m² to 100 m², for example, 1 m² to 25 m², optionally, The first movable sieve and / or the second movable sieve are plate sieves having sieve openings smaller than the minimum particle size of the particulate matter, so that the particulate matter is maintained within the stratification chamber, below the lower surface of the first movable sieve and / or above the upper surface of the second movable sieve; The first movable sieve device comprises a porous material having a longest diameter or diagonal length smaller than the smallest particle size of the particulate matter, so that the particulate matter is maintained within the stratification chamber, below the lower surface of the first movable sieve device; The first movable sieve device and / or the second movable sieve device has one or more outer edges positioned in close proximity to one or more side walls of the stratification chamber during the vertical or near-vertical movement, and the distance between the outer edge(s) of the first sieve device and / or the second sieve device and the one or more side walls is smaller than the smallest particle size of the particulate matter; and / or The distance between the outer edge of the first sieving device and one or more side walls of the stratification chamber is 0 mm to 5 mm, for example, 0 mm to 2.5 mm; The system according to claim 1 or 9.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the stratification chamber has one or more inlets for introducing liquid and / or particulate matter into the stratification chamber, optionally above the second movable sieve device at its lowest position.

12. The stratification chamber has one or more outlets for discharging particulate matter from the stratification chamber, the system according to claim 1 or 9, optionally, The first drive system can be configured to lift the first movable screen above a discharge height, the discharge height being the height at which the particulate matter is lifted, in whole or in part, above the surface of the liquid within the stratification chamber; and / or The second drive system can be configured to lift the second movable sieve and position the stationary particulate matter in the second movable sieve at a discharge height, the discharge height being such that the particulate matter is lifted, either entirely or partially, above the surface of the liquid within the stratification chamber; The system according to claim 1 or 9. Drive system

13. The system according to claim 1 or 9, wherein the first, and optionally the second, drive system includes a drive engine connected via a drive shaft to the first, and optionally the second, sieving device, optionally, The first and second drive systems can be independently configured to move the first, and optionally the second, movable sieve device in a stratification operation that includes a series of vertical or near-vertical downstrokes and upstrokes through the liquid in the stratification chamber; The first and second drive systems can each be independently configured to interrupt the movement of the first and second movable screen devices between the completion of the upstroke and downstroke movements of the first and second movable screen devices and the commencement of the downstroke and upstroke movements; The first and second drive systems can each be independently configured to provide a period of stillness or interruption between the completion of the downstroke and the start of the upstroke of the first and second movable screen devices; The length of the interruption between the completion of the downstroke and the commencement of the upstroke of the first and optionally second movable screen device is at least 0.5 seconds, for example, at least 1 second, or for example, at least 1.5 seconds, for example, at least 5 seconds, for example, at least 20 seconds; The first, and optionally the second, drive systems can be independently configured to adjust the acceleration, velocity, and / or amplitude of the downstroke and / or upstroke of the first, and optionally the second, movable screen device; The first, and optionally the second, drive system can be independently configured to adjust the acceleration from 1 mm / s² to 10,000 mm / s²; The first and optionally the second drive systems can be independently configured to adjust the speed from 1 mm / s to 10,000 mm / s; The first and optionally the second drive systems can be independently configured to adjust the speed to be greater than the interference settling velocity; The first and optionally the second drive systems can be independently configured to adjust the speed to be at least 10% greater than the sinking speed; The first and optionally the second drive systems can be independently configured to adjust the amplitude from 1 mm to 50 m; The first drive system can be configured to adjust the amplitude of the movement of the first sieve device between an upper stationary position and a maximum lower position during the processing of the composition being processed, ensuring that the fine particulate matter remains submerged in the liquid during the processing; The second drive system can be configured to adjust the amplitude of the movement of the second sieving device between a lower stationary position and a maximum upper position during the processing of the composition being processed; The first, and optionally the second, drive system can be independently configured to adjust the amplitude, velocity, and / or acceleration during the stroke; The maximum lower position of the first sieving device during processing is above the maximum upper position of the second sieving device; The first and second drive systems operate independently; and / or The first and second drive systems operate synchronously; The system according to claim 1 or 9.

14. The system according to claim 1 or 9, further comprising a discharge system (900) for discharging the particulate matter (400) from the liquid in the stratification chamber, wherein the discharge system can be configured to discharge one or more layers of the particulate matter, optionally the uppermost layer, The discharge system can be configured to repeatedly discharge one or more layers, optionally the top layer, of the particulate matter particles; The discharge system includes a scraping device (902) which can be configured to sequentially scrape off one or more layers of particles, optionally the top layer; and / or The emission system further includes an identification system (900) for identifying different types of particles (500), which includes at least one detector capable of distinguishing one or more characteristics of the chemical composition of one type of particle from one or more characteristics of the chemical composition of another type of particle, wherein optionally the detector is a camera that detects UV, visible and / or infrared light or images of one or more layers, optionally the top layer of the particulate matter; The system according to claim 1 or 9.

15. The system according to claim 1 or 9, further comprising: a stirrer; an ultrasonic generator configured to remove gas from the liquid; one or more visual detectors configured to receive optical signals from inside the stratification chamber during the sorting process; one or more gravimetric detectors configured to weigh the particles before sorting; and / or one or more strain gauges connected to the first and / or second drive systems and configured to monitor the strain or force transmitted by the drive engine to the sieving device(s) via the drive shaft during the sorting process.

16. A method for processing compositions containing liquids and particulate matter, comprising the following steps: a) A step of providing the system according to claims 1 to 15; b) A step of providing a composition to be treated comprising a liquid (300) and particulate matter (400), wherein the particulate matter comprises two or more types of particles (500) having i) minimum particle size, ii) density lower than the density of the liquid, and iii) different fluid-mechanical properties in the liquid; c) The step of placing the composition to be processed in the stratification chamber of the system, below the first sieving device of the system; d) A step of providing a series of downward and upward movements of the particulate matter in the liquid by downstrokes and upstrokes of the first sieving device, wherein each movement is characterized by having a certain acceleration, velocity and amplitude, thereby stratifying or separating the particulate matter into layers of particles having similar fluid-mechanical properties; and e) Optionally, a step of discharging one or more layers of the particulate matter from the stratification chamber into one or more separate containers.

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