Methods for disposing of incinerated ash

Abstract

This disclosure describes a method for processing incinerated ash that makes it possible to separate lightweight materials contained in the incinerated ash, thereby reducing the load on the downstream crusher, and also increases the metal content in the recovered material from the incinerated ash. [Solution] The method for processing incinerated ash includes separating iron from incinerated ash containing lightweight materials using a first sorting machine; sieving the incinerated ash after the iron has been separated into first sieved material and other materials below first sieving using a first sieving machine; sucking up lightweight materials contained in first sieved material from above first sieving machine using a suction machine; crushing first sieved material separated by first sieving machine using crusher; sieving first sieved material crushed by crusher into second sieved material and other materials below second sieving using a second sieving machine, and collecting second sieved material in a collection container.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for treating incineration ash. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an incineration ash treatment apparatus provided with a suction device that sucks up and separates lightweight materials in incineration ash by the action of wind force. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-146655 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The present disclosure describes a method for treating incineration ash that enables separation of lightweight materials contained in incineration ash to reduce the load on a downstream crusher, and can increase the metal content in recovered materials collected from incineration ash. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] An example of the method for treating incineration ash includes: separating iron-based materials from incineration ash containing lightweight materials by a first sorter; sieving the incineration ash after separation of iron-based materials into first oversieve material and first undersieve material other than the oversieve material by a first sieving machine; sucking lightweight materials contained in the first oversieve material from above the first sieving machine by a suction machine; crushing the first oversieve material sieved by the first sieving machine by a crusher; sieving the first oversieve material crushed by the crusher into second oversieve material and second undersieve material other than the oversieve material by a second sieving machine, and collecting the second oversieve material into a recovery container; introducing the first undersieve material sieved by the first sieving machine, the second undersieve material sieved by the second sieving machine, and the lightweight materials sucked by the suction machine into a second sorter, and separating them into non-ferrous materials and ash components. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the incineration ash treatment method described herein, it is possible to separate lightweight materials contained in the incineration ash, thereby reducing the load on the downstream crusher, and to increase the metal content in the recovered material recovered from the incineration ash. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an incineration ash treatment system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a vibrating screen machine, viewed from the side. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of the incineration ash processing system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the controller's hardware configuration. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of an incineration ash treatment system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing another example of an incineration ash treatment system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] In the following descriptions, the same reference numeral will be used for identical elements or elements with the same function, and redundant explanations will be omitted. Furthermore, in this specification, when referring to the top, bottom, right, and left of a figure, the direction of the reference numeral in the figure will be used as the reference.

[0009] [Incineration Ash Treatment System] Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the incineration ash treatment system 1 will be described. The incineration ash treatment system 1 is configured to separate, for example, metallic foreign matter MF1, MF2 and sieved material W7 from the main ash W1 in the waste incineration ash. The main ash W1 is, for example, the incineration ash discharged from the bottom of the furnace of a waste incineration facility such as a stoker furnace. The main ash W1 contains lightweight material. Lightweight material may include, for example, unburnt paper and waste plastics. On the other hand, the ash discharged together with the exhaust gas of the waste incineration facility is called fly ash. The incineration ash treatment system 1 comprises a treatment facility 10, a notification unit 20, and a controller Ctr (detection unit, processing unit).

[0010] The processing equipment 10 comprises conveying units Cv1 to Cv8, a hopper 11, sorting machines S1 to S3, a crusher 12, a suction machine 13, a vibrating screen 100 (second screen), and acquisition units SE1 and SE2 (detection unit and imaging unit).

[0011] The conveying units Cv1 to Cv8 operate based on control signals from the controller Ctr and are configured to transport various types of materials downstream. The conveying units Cv1 to Cv8 may be, for example, vibrating conveyors or belt conveyors.

[0012] The hopper 11 is configured to receive and temporarily store bottom ash W1 from, for example, the incineration ash of a waste incineration facility. The bottom ash W1 in the hopper 11 is transported to the sorting machine S1 by the transport units Cv1 and Cv2 (see arrows Ar1 and Ar2 in Figure 1).

[0013] The sorting machine S1 (first sorting machine) operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to separate metallic foreign matter MF1 mixed in with the main ash W1 from the hopper 11. The sorting machine S1 may be a magnetic separator using, for example, permanent magnets or electromagnets.

[0014] The metallic foreign matter MF1 separated in the sorting machine S1 may be recovered in the recovery container 14 (see arrow Ar3 in Figure 1). The metallic foreign matter MF1 may be, for example, iron. The metallic foreign matter MF1 may be sold to an external company as a valuable material. The residue W2 after the metallic foreign matter MF1 has been separated from the bottom ash W1 in the sorting machine S1 is supplied to the sorting machine S2 (see arrow Ar4 in Figure 1).

[0015] The sorting machine S2 (first sieving machine) operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to sieve the remaining material W2 into sieved material W3 (first sieved material) which is larger than a predetermined particle size, and the remaining material W4 (first sieved material). The sorting machine S2 may be any type of sieving machine, such as a grizzly type, trommel type, finger type, mesh type, disc type, rotary type, or roll type screen.

[0016] The sieved material W3, separated in the sorting machine S2, is supplied to the crusher 12 (see arrow Ar5 in Figure 1). The unsieved material W4, separated in the sorting machine S2, is transported by the conveying unit Cv3 and supplied to the sorting machine S3 (see arrows Ar6 and Ar7 in Figure 1).

[0017] The sorting machine S3 (second sorting machine) operates based on control signals from the controller Ctr. The sorting machine S3 is supplied with the sieved material W4, the sieved material W8 (described later) separated by the vibrating screener 100, and the lightweight material L (described later) sucked up by the suction machine 13. The sorting machine S3 is configured to separate the metallic foreign matter MF2 mixed in with the sieved material W4 and W8 from the sieved material W4 and W8. The sorting machine S3 may be, for example, a sorting machine that utilizes eddy currents.

[0018] The metal foreign matter MF2 separated in the sorting machine S3 may be conveyed to the recovery container 15 by the conveying unit Cv4 and recovered in the recovery container 15 (see arrows Ar8 and Ar9 in Fig. 1).

[0019] The crusher 12 operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr, and is configured to crush the oversize material W3. The oversize material W3 may contain lumpy light materials L that could not be sucked by the suction device 13.

[0020] The crusher 12 may be, for example, a rotary hammer type crusher. In this case, the crusher 12 may be of a horizontal type (a configuration in which the rotation shaft of the hammer extends horizontally) or a vertical type (a configuration in which the rotation shaft of the hammer extends vertically).

[0021] The oversize material W3 crushed by the crusher 12 is conveyed as crushed material W6 by the conveying unit Cv5 and supplied to the vibrating screen 100 (see arrows Ar11 and Ar12 in Fig. 1). On the other hand, the lumpy light material L contained in the oversize material W3 is relatively light. Therefore, during the crushing process by the crusher 12, the lumpy light material L is finely crushed while being bounced off toward the input port 12a side of the crusher 12.

[0022] The suction device 13 includes a dust collector 13a and a blower 13b. The dust collector 13a is configured to collect lightweight material L sucked up from above (above the sieve) the sorting machine S2 (see arrow Ar13 in Figure 1). The dust collector 13a may also be configured to collect lightweight material L sucked up from the input port 12a side of the crusher 12 (see arrows Ar13 and Ar14 in Figure 1). The lightweight material L collected by the dust collector 13a may be returned to the conveying unit Cv3 and supplied to the sorting machine S3 together with the material W4 below the sieve (see arrow Ar15 in Figure 1). The dust collector 13a may be, for example, a bag filter or an electrostatic precipitator.

[0023] The blower 13b operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to draw gas from the upstream side of the blower 13b. More specifically, the blower 13b is configured to generate negative pressure at the upstream end (suction port) of the piping connected to the dust collector 13a. The upstream end (suction port) of the piping is located near the top (above the sieve) of the sorting machine S2. The piping may include a branch pipe that branches off midway. The upstream end (suction port) of the branch pipe may be located near the inlet 12a of the crusher 12. The blower 13b may be a suction blower such as a sirocco type or a turbo type.

[0024] The vibrating screener 100 (second screener) operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to screen the crushed material W6 from the crusher 12 into upper-screen material W7 (second upper-screen material) which is larger than a predetermined particle size, and lower-screen material W8 (second lower-screen material) which is otherwise unscreened. The upper-screen material W7 may include, for example, gravel, inorganic minerals, or long, needle-shaped metals (long pieces). Details of the vibrating screener 100 will be described later.

[0025] In the vibrating screener 100, the remaining material W8 after the upper sieve material W7 has been separated from the crushed material W6 is conveyed by the conveying unit Cv6 and supplied to the sorting machine S3 (see arrows Ar16 and Ar17 in Figure 1). The upper sieve material W7 separated in the vibrating screener 100 is conveyed by the conveying unit Cv7. The upper sieve material W7 may be sold to an external company as a valuable material.

[0026] The transport unit Cv8 is configured to move closer to or further away from the downstream end of the transport unit Cv6 based on a control signal from the controller Ctr. The transport unit Cv8 may be configured so that its upstream end moves closer to or further away from the downstream end of the transport unit Cv6 by moving linearly along the horizontal direction as a whole. The transport unit Cv8 may be configured so that its upstream end moves closer to or further away from the downstream end of the transport unit Cv6 by moving pivotally along the horizontal plane as a whole.

[0027] If the upstream end of the conveying unit Cv8 is separated from the downstream end of the conveying unit Cv6, the sieved material W7 being conveyed by the conveying unit Cv6 may be conveyed by the conveying unit Cv7 to the recovery container 17 and recovered in the recovery container 17 (see arrows Ar18 and Ar19 in Figure 1). On the other hand, if the upstream end of the conveying unit Cv8 is close to the downstream end of the conveying unit Cv6, the sieved material W7 being conveyed by the conveying unit Cv6 will fall from the downstream end of the conveying unit Cv6 to the upstream end of the conveying unit Cv8. The sieved material W7 that has fallen to the upstream end of the conveying unit Cv8 may be conveyed by the conveying unit Cv8 to the temporary storage container T and temporarily stored in the temporary storage container T (see arrow Ar20 in Figure 1).

[0028] The acquisition unit SE1 may be an imaging unit configured to acquire an image of the crushed material W6 accumulated on the sieve of the vibrating screen machine 100 (the upper surface of the sieve member 143, which will be described later). The acquisition unit SE2 may be an imaging unit configured to acquire an image of the sieved material W7 that has been collected in the collection container 17 and accumulated inside the collection container 17. The acquisition units SE1 and SE2 may be configured to operate based on control signals from the controller Ctr and to acquire these images. The acquisition units SE1 and SE2 may be configured to transmit the data of the acquired images to the controller Ctr.

[0029] The notification unit 20 operates based on control signals from the controller Ctr and is configured to notify the operator of an alarm. The notification unit 20 may include a speaker configured to notify an alarm by sound, an alarm light configured to notify an alarm by light, or a display configured to notify an alarm by text.

[0030] The controller Ctr is configured to partially or entirely control the incineration ash treatment system 1. Details of the controller Ctr will be described later.

[0031] [Vibration sieve machine] Next, with reference to Figure 2, the configuration of the vibrating screen machine 100 will be described. The vibrating screen machine 100 includes a base 110, a drive unit 120, a lower body 130, an upper body 140, and a screen member 150.

[0032] The base 110 includes a base 111, a support plate 112, and an elastic member 113. The base 111 is fixed to the ground surface GS. The support plate 112 is positioned above the base 111 and is configured to support the lower body 130 and the upper body 140. The elastic member 113 is configured to elastically connect the base 111 and the support plate 112. The elastic member 113 may be, for example, a coil spring.

[0033] The drive unit 120 includes a motor 121 and unbalance weights 122 and 123. The motor 121 is mounted on the support plate 112 via a mounting plate 124 so as to be located within an opening 112a provided in the center of the support plate 112. The motor 121 operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to rotate a rotating shaft 121a that extends vertically. The unbalance weights 122 and 123 are mounted eccentrically with respect to the upper and lower ends of the rotating shaft 121a, respectively. Therefore, when the rotating shaft 121a rotates due to the operation of the motor 121, vibrations act on the support plate 112. Since the support plate 112 is connected to the base 111 via an elastic member 113, the vibrations generated in the support plate 112 are amplified and act on the lower body 130 and the upper body 140.

[0034] The lower body 130 is mounted on the support plate 112. The lower body 130 includes a cylindrical body 131, a discharge guide 132, and a discharge port 133.

[0035] The cylindrical body 131 extends vertically and may, for example, have a cylindrical shape. The discharge guide 132 is provided inside the cylindrical body 131 and at the bottom of the cylindrical body 131 so as to cover the drive unit 120 from above. The discharge guide 132 has a mountain-like shape, with the highest height in the center and decreasing height towards the outer edge. The discharge port 133 is cylindrical and communicates with the lower space of the sieving member 143 (described later). The discharge port 133 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the cylindrical body 131. Therefore, the sieved material W8 that is screened in the upper body 140 and falls into the discharge guide 132 moves towards the outer edge of the discharge guide 132 and is discharged to the outside of the vibrating screen machine 100 through the discharge port 133.

[0036] The upper body 140 is mounted on top of the lower body 130. The upper body 140 includes a cylindrical body 141, an outlet 142, and a sieving member 143.

[0037] The cylindrical body 141 extends vertically and may, for example, have a cylindrical shape. The discharge port 142 is cylindrical and communicates with the upper space of the sieving member 143. The discharge port 142 protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 141. Therefore, the sieved material W7 that is filtered in the upper body 140 and remains on the sieving member 143 without passing through it is discharged to the outside of the vibrating screen machine 100 through the discharge port 142.

[0038] The sieving member 143 is a circular plate-like body and is provided inside the cylindrical body 141 and at the lower part of the cylindrical body 141. The sieving member 143 is provided with a plurality of through holes 143a, either partially or entirely. The sieving member 143 is detachably attached by bolts or the like to a mounting portion 144 fixed to the lower part inside the cylindrical body 141. The mounting portion 144 may be a ring-shaped plate-like body, or it may be a plurality of plate-like bodies arranged at predetermined intervals along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body 141.

[0039] The crushed material W6 supplied to the vibrating screen machine 100 by the conveying unit Cv5 falls onto the upper surface of the screen member 143, for example, through the supply pipe 200. Since the screen member 143 is vibrated by the drive unit 120, the crushed material W6 that falls onto the upper surface of the screen member 143 moves along the circumferential direction of the screen member 143. As a result, the crushed material W6 is screened into lower-screened material W8 that passes through the through-hole 143a and falls into the discharge guide 132, and upper-screened material W7 that remains on the screen member 143.

[0040] [controller] As illustrated in Figure 3, the controller Ctr has a reading unit M1, a storage unit M2, a processing unit M3 (detection unit), and an instruction unit M4 as functional modules. These functional modules are merely a convenient division of the controller Ctr's functions into multiple modules, and do not necessarily mean that the hardware constituting the controller Ctr is divided into such modules. Each functional module is not limited to being implemented by program execution, but may also be implemented by a dedicated electrical circuit (e.g., a logic circuit) or an integrated circuit (ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that integrates these.

[0041] The reading unit M1 is configured to read a program from a computer-readable recording medium RM (device). The recording medium RM stores programs for operating each part of the incinerator ash processing system 1 (transport units Cv1-Cv8, sorting machines S1-S3, crusher 12, suction machine 13, notification unit 20, acquisition units SE1, SE2, etc.). The recording medium RM may be, for example, a semiconductor memory, an optical recording disk, a magnetic recording disk, or a magneto-optical recording disk. The recording medium RM may be built into the incinerator ash processing system 1 or may be separate from the incinerator ash processing system 1.

[0042] The storage unit M2 is configured to store various types of data. For example, the storage unit M2 may store programs read from the recording medium RM by the reading unit M1, setting data input from the operator via an external input device (not shown), etc. The storage unit M2 may also store image data captured by the acquisition units SE1 and SE2, for example.

[0043] The memory unit M2 may store, for example, learning models LM1 and LM2. Learning model LM1 may be generated by machine learning based on multiple learning data sets that associate the amount of crushed material W6 accumulated on the sieve (upper surface of sieve member 143) of the vibrating screen machine 100 with image data of the crushed material W6 accumulated on the sieve of the vibrating screen machine 100, which is captured by the acquisition unit SE1 at that time. Learning model LM2 may be generated by machine learning based on multiple learning data sets that associate the amount of sieved material W7 accumulated in the collection container 17 and stored inside the collection container 17 with image data of the sieved material W7 stored inside the collection container 17, which is captured by the acquisition unit SE2 at that time. Machine learning may be, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, or reinforcement learning. Supervised learning algorithms include, for example, support vector machines, logistic regression, random forests, decision trees, k-nearest neighbors, perceptrons, and neural networks. Unsupervised learning algorithms include, for example, k-means algorithms, principal component analysis, and self-organizing maps. Reinforcement learning algorithms include, for example, Q-learning, Monte Carlo methods, and SARSA.

[0044] The processing unit M3 is configured to process various types of data. For example, the processing unit M3 may be configured to generate operation signals for operating each part of the incineration ash processing system 1 based on various types of data stored in the storage unit M2.

[0045] When the processing unit M3 receives image data from the acquisition unit SE1, which captures the crushed material W6 accumulated on the screen of the vibrating screen machine 100, it inputs the image data to the learning model LM1. The learning model LM1 then generates an output value for the predicted amount of crushed material W6 corresponding to the image data. The processing unit M3 then determines whether the obtained output value (predicted amount of crushed material W6) exceeds a predetermined threshold (a predetermined amount).

[0046] When the processing unit M3 receives image data from the acquisition unit SE2, which captures the sieved material W7 accumulated in the collection container 17, it inputs the image data to the learning model LM2. The learning model LM2 then generates an output value representing the predicted amount of sieved material W7 corresponding to the image data. The processing unit M3 then determines whether the obtained output value (predicted amount of sieved material W7) exceeds a predetermined threshold (a predetermined amount).

[0047] The instruction unit M4 is configured to transmit control signals generated in the processing unit M3 to each part of the incineration ash processing system 1. The instruction unit M4 may also transmit a control signal to the notification unit 20 to trigger an alarm when the processing unit M3 determines that the predicted amount of crushed material W6 exceeds a predetermined amount.

[0048] The instruction unit M4 may transmit a control signal to the notification unit 20 to trigger an alarm when the processing unit M3 determines that the predicted amount of sieved material W7 exceeds a predetermined amount. The instruction unit M4 may also transmit a control signal to the transport unit Cv8 to move the transport unit Cv8 so that its upstream end is close to the downstream end of the transport unit Cv6 when the processing unit M3 determines that the predicted amount of sieved material W7 exceeds a predetermined amount. At this time, the sieved material W7 being transported by the transport unit Cv6 is switched from the recovery container 17 to the temporary storage container T by the transport unit Cv8 and is temporarily stored in the temporary storage container T.

[0049] The hardware of the controller Ctr may consist of, for example, one or more control computers. The controller Ctr may include, as a hardware configuration, the circuit C1 illustrated in Figure 4. The circuit C1 may consist of electrical circuit elements. The circuit C1 may include, for example, a processor C2, a memory C3 (storage unit), a storage C4 (storage unit), a driver C5, and an input / output port C6. The processor C2 executes a program in cooperation with at least one of the memory C3 and the storage C4, and performs signal input and output via the input / output port C6, thereby configuring each of the above-mentioned functional modules. The memory C3 and the storage C4 function as storage units M2. The driver C5 is a circuit that drives each part of the incinerator ash processing system 1. The input / output port C6 performs signal input and output between the driver C5 and each part of the incinerator ash processing system 1.

[0050] The incineration ash processing system 1 may have one controller Ctr (control unit), or it may have a group of controllers (control units) composed of multiple controllers Ctr. In the latter case, each of the above-mentioned functional modules may be implemented by one controller Ctr, or by a combination of two or more controllers Ctr. If the controller Ctr is composed of multiple computers (circuits C1), each of the above-mentioned functional modules may be implemented by one computer (circuit C1), or by a combination of two or more computers (circuits C1). The controller Ctr may include multiple processors C2. In this case, each of the above-mentioned functional modules may be implemented by one processor C2, or by a combination of two or more processors C2.

[0051] [Effect] In the above example, before the sieved material W3 is supplied to the crusher 12, the lightweight material L contained in the sieved material W3 is sucked up by the suction device 13. Therefore, the mixing of lightweight material L into the crusher 12 is suppressed. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the load on the crusher 12.

[0052] As shown in the above example, the lightweight material L contained in the sieved material W3 is sucked up by the suction device 13, which reduces the content of lightweight material L in the sieved material W3. In other words, the metal content in the sieved material W3 increases. Therefore, it is possible to increase the metal content in the recovered material recovered by subsequent processing of the sieved material W3.

[0053] In the above example, the lightweight material L contained in the sieved material W3 crushed by the crusher 12 is sucked up by the suction device 13 from the input port 12a side of the crusher 12. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the metal content in the recovered material recovered by subsequent processing.

[0054] As shown in the above example, the amount of sieved material W3 accumulated on the sieve of the vibrating screen machine 100, and / or the amount of sieved material W7 recovered in the recovery container 17, are detected by the acquisition units SE1 and SE2. When the detected amount of material (predicted amount of material) exceeds a predetermined amount, the notification unit 20 issues an alarm. Therefore, the alarm from the notification unit 20 notifies the worker that the amount of material has exceeded the predetermined amount. Thus, the worker can take action before the amount of material on the sieve of the vibrating screen machine 100 interferes with the operation of the vibrating screen machine 100, or before the recovery container 17 becomes full with sieved material W7.

[0055] In the above example, the amount of sieved material W7 collected in the recovery container 17 is detected by the acquisition unit SE2. When the detected amount (predicted amount) exceeds a predetermined amount, the transport units Cv7 and Cv8 switch the destination of the sieved material W7 from the recovery container 17 to the temporary storage container T. Therefore, the sieved material W7 is transported from the recovery container 17 to the temporary storage container T before the recovery container 17 becomes full with the sieved material W7. Consequently, the recovery container 17 can be easily replaced.

[0056] As shown in the above example, the processing unit M3 calculates the amount of sediment by inputting image data captured by the acquisition units SE1 and SE2 into the learning models LM1 and LM2, respectively, and determines whether the calculated amount of sediment exceeds a predetermined amount. Therefore, by using the learning models LM1 and LM2 obtained through prior machine learning, the amount of sediment can be estimated from arbitrary image data captured by the acquisition units SE1 and SE2. Consequently, it becomes possible to detect the amount of sediment more accurately.

[0057] Incidentally, the main ash W1 supplied to the roller screen moves several meters over multiple rotating rollers during the sieving process by the roller screen. Therefore, in the case of sieving using a roller screen, the time that the main ash W1 remains on the sieve is relatively long. As shown in the above example, the sorting machine S2 may be a roller screen, and by using the suction device 13 to suck up the lightweight material L contained in the sieved material W3 on the roller screen, it becomes possible to remove the lightweight material L from the sieved material W3 more effectively.

[0058] [Differentiation] The disclosures herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the above examples without departing from the claims and the gist of the claims.

[0059] (1) The acquisition unit SE1 may be a contact-type or non-contact-type height sensor configured to acquire the height of the crushed material W6 accumulated on the sieve (upper surface of the sieve member 143) of the vibrating screen machine 100. The processing unit M3 may determine whether the height of the crushed material W6 acquired by the height sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The instruction unit M4 may transmit a control signal to the notification unit 20 to trigger an alarm when the processing unit M3 determines that the height of the crushed material W6 acquired by the height sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0060] The acquisition unit SE2 may be a contact-type or non-contact-type height sensor configured to acquire the height of the sieved material W7 accumulated in the recovery container 17. The processing unit M3 may determine whether the height of the sieved material W7 acquired by the height sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The instruction unit M4 may transmit a control signal to the notification unit 20 to trigger an alarm when the processing unit M3 determines that the height of the sieved material W7 acquired by the height sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold. The instruction unit M4 may transmit a control signal to the transport unit Cv8 to move the transport unit Cv8 so that its upstream end is close to the downstream end of the transport unit Cv6 when the processing unit M3 determines that the height of the sieved material W7 acquired by the height sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0061] (2) As illustrated in Figure 5, the metal foreign matter MF1 separated in the sorting machine S1 may be transported to the transporting machine Cv5 as transported material W9 by the transporting machine Cv9 (see arrows Ar21 and Ar22 in Figure 5). That is, in the sorting machine S1, relatively large metal foreign matter MF1 is sorted and supplied to the transporting machine Cv5 by the transporting machine Cv9. The transporting machine Cv9 may be, for example, a vibrating conveyor. In this case, ash components attached to the metal foreign matter MF1 are removed while the transporting material W9 is being transported by the transporting machine Cv9.

[0062] As illustrated in Figure 5, the processing equipment 10 may further include a sorting machine S4. The sorting machine S4 (third sorting machine) operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to separate metallic foreign matter MF1 mixed in with the mixture of crushed material W6 and conveyed material W9 being conveyed in the conveying section Cv5. The sorting machine S4 may be, for example, a magnetic separator using permanent magnets or electromagnets.

[0063] The metal foreign matter MF1 separated in the sorting machine S4 may be transported to the recovery container 4 by the conveying unit Cv10 and recovered in the recovery container 4 (see arrows Ar23 and Ar24 in Figure 1). The remaining material after the metal foreign matter MF1 has been separated from the mixture of crushed material W6 and conveyed material W9 in the sorting machine S4 is supplied to the vibrating screen 100 (see arrow Ar12 in Figure 1).

[0064] As shown in the example in Figure 5, relatively large metallic foreign matter MF1 separated by the sorting machine S1 is no longer supplied to the crusher 12, thus reducing the load on the crusher 12. On the other hand, relatively small metallic foreign matter MF1 that is not separated by the sorting machine S1 is crushed by the crusher 12 and then sorted by the sorting machine S4. That is, the metallic foreign matter MF1 supplied to the sorting machine S4 is finely broken down by the crusher 3, making sorting easier in the sorting machine S4, so that the sieved material fed into the vibrating screen 100 contains almost no metallic foreign matter MF1. Therefore, the vibrating screen 100 only needs to sieve out foreign matter other than metallic foreign matter MF1 from the foreign matter contained in the main ash W1, thus increasing the accuracy of the sieving of the foreign matter. Consequently, it becomes possible to more accurately separate the foreign matter contained in the main ash W1 into metallic foreign matter MF1, MF2, ash components W5, sieved material W7, etc.

[0065] (3) As illustrated in Figure 6, the processing equipment 10 may further include a sorting machine S5 (third sieving machine). The sorting machine S5 operates based on a control signal from the controller Ctr and is configured to further remove ash components and the like adhering to the sieved material W7 separated from the crushed material W6 in the vibrating sieving machine 100. The sorting machine S5 may be, for example, a wet vibrating sieving machine. A wet vibrating sieving machine is a sieving machine that sieves the material to be sieved by vibration while supplying (e.g., spraying) a liquid (e.g., water) to the material to be sieved.

[0066] The sieved material W7 separated in the sorting machine S5 may be transported by the conveying unit Cv6 and recovered in the recovery container 17 (see arrows Ar25 and Ar19 in Figure 6). The unsieved material W10 (third unsieved material), such as ash components, separated from the sieved material W7 in the sorting machine S5, is dried by a dryer (not shown) and then supplied to the conveying unit Cv2 (see arrow Ar26 in Figure 6).

[0067] As shown in the example in Figure 6, the sieved material W7 is wet-sieved by the sorting machine S5, separating ash components and other substances attached to the sieved material W7 by the liquid. As a result, the amount of sieved material in the sorting machine S5 is reduced, thus reducing the amount of waste to be processed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the impact on the environment. In addition, since the unsieved material W10, which has been sieved by the sorting machine S5, is supplied back to the sorting machine S1 after drying, the accuracy of sieving foreign matter contained in the main ash W1 is further improved. As a result, it is possible to separate the foreign matter contained in the main ash W1 into metal foreign matter MF1, MF2, ash components W5, sieved material W7, etc. with even greater accuracy.

[0068] [Other examples] Example 1. An example of a method for processing incinerated ash is to separate iron from the incinerated ash containing lightweight materials using a first sorting machine, to sieve the incinerated ash after the iron has been separated into the material on the first sieve and the material below the first sieve using a first sieving machine, to suck up the lightweight materials contained in the material on the first sieve from above the first sieving machine using a suction machine, and to crush the material on the first sieve that has been separated by the first sieving machine using a crusher. This includes: using a crusher to crush the first sieve-up material, then using a second sieving machine to separate it into the second sieve-up material and the remaining second sieve-down material, and collecting the second sieve-up material into a collection container; and introducing the first sieve-down material separated by the first sieving machine, the second sieve-down material separated by the second sieving machine, and the lightweight material sucked up by the suction machine into a second sorting machine to separate them into non-ferrous metals and ash components.

[0069] In Example 1, before the first sieved material is supplied to the crusher, the lightweight material contained in the first sieved material is sucked up by a suction device. Therefore, the inclusion of lightweight material into the crusher is suppressed. Consequently, the load on the crusher can be reduced. Also, in Example 1, the removal of lightweight material contained in the first sieved material by the suction device reduces the content of lightweight material in the first sieved material. In other words, the metal content in the first sieved material increases. Therefore, the metal content in the recovered material recovered through subsequent processing of the first sieved material can also be increased.

[0070] Example 2. The method of Example 1 may further include separating iron from the first sieved material crushed by the crusher using a third sorting machine. In Example 2, the relatively large iron separated by the first sorting machine is no longer supplied to the crusher, thus reducing the load on the crusher. On the other hand, in Example 2, the iron that was not sorted by the first sorting machine is crushed by the crusher and then sorted by the third sorting machine. That is, the iron supplied to the third sorting machine is finely ground by the crusher, making sorting easier in the third sorting machine, so that the first sieved material fed into the second sieve contains almost no iron. Therefore, the second sieve only needs to sieve out the non-iron foreign matter contained in the incinerated ash, thus increasing the accuracy of the sieving of the foreign matter. Therefore, it becomes possible to accurately separate foreign matter contained in incinerated ash into iron, non-ferrous metals, ash components, etc.

[0071] Example 3. The method of Example 1 or Example 2 may further include sieving the second sieved material, which has been sieved by the second sieving machine, using a liquid in a third sieving machine, and drying the third unsieved material, which has been sieved by the third sieving machine, and supplying it to the first sorting machine. In this case, the second sieved material is wet-sieved by the third sieving machine, and ash components and other substances attached to the second sieved material are separated from the second sieved material by the liquid. As a result, the amount of sieved material in the third sieving machine is reduced, and the amount of waste to be processed is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the impact on the environment. In addition, since the third unsieved material, which has been sieved by the third sieving machine, is supplied to the first sorting machine again after drying, the accuracy of sieving foreign matter contained in incinerated ash is further improved. Therefore, it becomes possible to more accurately separate foreign matter contained in incinerated ash into iron, non-ferrous metals, ash components, etc.

[0072] Example 4. Any of the methods in Examples 1 to 3 may further include sucking up the lightweight material contained in the first sieved material crushed by the crusher using a suction device from the inlet side of the crusher. When lump lightweight material is fed into the crusher, since the lump lightweight material is relatively light, it is finely crushed while being flung towards the inlet side during the crushing process. Therefore, as in Example 4, by sucking up the finely crushed lightweight material from the inlet side of the crusher using a suction device, it is possible to further increase the metal content in the recovered material recovered by subsequent processing.

[0073] Example 5. Any of the methods in Examples 1 to 4 may further include detecting the amount of material on the first sieve accumulated on the sieve of the second sieve machine, and / or the amount of material on the second sieve machine recovered in the recovery container, using a detection unit, determining whether the amount of material detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount, and issuing an alarm from the notification unit if the amount of material detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount. In this case, the operator is notified by the alarm from the notification unit that the amount of material has exceeded a predetermined amount. Therefore, the operator can take action before the amount of material on the sieve of the second sieve machine interferes with the operation of the second sieve machine, or before the recovery container becomes full with material on the second sieve machine.

[0074] Example 6. Any of the methods in Examples 1 to 5 may further include detecting the amount of the second sieved material collected in the collection container using a detection unit, determining whether the amount detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount, and, if the amount detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount, switching the destination of the second sieved material by the transport unit from the collection container to a temporary storage container. In this case, the second sieved material is transported from the collection container to the temporary storage container before the collection container becomes full with the second sieved material. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily replace the collection container.

[0075] Example 7. In the method of Example 5 or Example 6, the detection unit includes an imaging unit and a processing unit, and determining whether the amount of sediment detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount may include the processing unit calculating the amount of sediment by inputting image data of the amount of sediment captured by the imaging unit into a learning model obtained by machine learning through multiple training data in which the amount of sediment and image data of the sediment state at that time are associated, and the processing unit determining whether the calculated amount of sediment exceeds a predetermined amount. In this case, by using a learning model obtained by prior machine learning, the amount of sediment can be estimated from arbitrary image data captured by the imaging unit. Therefore, it becomes possible to detect the amount of sediment more accurately.

[0076] Example 8. In any of the methods in Examples 1 to 7, the first sieving machine may be a roller screen. Incidentally, the incinerated ash supplied to the roller screen moves several meters over multiple rotating rollers during the sieving process. Therefore, in the case of sieving using a roller screen, the time that the incinerated ash remains on the sieve is relatively long. Accordingly, according to Example 8, by sucking up the lightweight material contained in the material on the first sieve on the roller screen with a suction device, it becomes possible to remove the lightweight material from the material on the first sieve more effectively. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1... Incinerator ash processing system, 10... Processing equipment, 12... Crusher, 13... Suction machine, 17... Recovery container, 20... Notification unit, 100... Vibrating screen (second screen), Ctr... Controller (detection unit, processing unit), Cv7, Cv8... Conveying unit, L... Lightweight object, M3... Processing unit (detection unit), MF1... Metal foreign matter (iron), MF2... Metal foreign matter (non-ferrous), S1... Sorting machine (first sorting machine), S2... Sorting machine (first S3...Sorting machine (second sorting machine), S4...Sorting machine (third sorting machine), S5...Sorting machine (third sieving machine), SE1, SE2...Acquisition unit (detection unit, imaging unit), T...Temporary storage container, W1...Main ash, W3...Sieved material (first sieved material), W4...Unsieved material (first unsieved material), W5...Ash component, W7...Sieved material (second sieved material), W8...Unsieved material (second unsieved material), W10...Unsieved material (third unsieved material).

Claims

1. The process involves separating iron from the incinerated ash containing lightweight materials using a first sorting machine, The incinerated ash, after the iron has been separated, is sieved by a first sieving machine into the material that passes through the first sieve and the material that does not pass through the first sieve. The lightweight material contained in the first sieve is sucked up from above the first sieve machine by a suction device, The material on the first sieve, which has been separated by the first sieve machine, is crushed by the crusher. The material on the first sieve, which has been crushed by the crusher, is sieved by the second sieve into the material on the second sieve and the rest of the material below the second sieve by the second sieve, and the material on the second sieve is collected in a collection container. A method for processing incinerated ash, comprising introducing the material that has been sieved by the first sieving machine, the material that has been sieved by the second sieving machine, and the lightweight material that has been sucked up by the suction machine into a second sorting machine to separate it into non-ferrous metals and ash components.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising separating iron from the first sieved material crushed by the crusher using a third sorting machine.

3. The material that has been sieved by the second sieving machine is sieved using a liquid by the third sieving machine, The method according to claim 1, further comprising drying the third sieve material separated by the third sieve machine and supplying it to the first sorting machine.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sucking up the lightweight material contained in the first sieved material crushed by the crusher using the suction device from the input side of the crusher.

5. The detection unit detects the amount of material on the first sieve accumulated on the sieve of the second sieving machine, and / or the amount of material on the second sieve recovered in the recovery container. The detection unit determines whether the amount of sediment detected exceeds a predetermined amount, The method according to claim 1, further comprising issuing an alarm from the notification unit when the amount of deposit detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount.

6. The amount of material collected in the collection container is detected by the detection unit. The detection unit determines whether the amount of sediment detected exceeds a predetermined amount, The method according to claim 1, further comprising switching the destination of the second sieved material by the transport unit from the recovery container to a temporary storage container when the amount of sediment detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount.

7. The detection unit includes an imaging unit and a processing unit. Determining whether the amount of sediment detected by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined amount is: The processing unit calculates the amount of sediment by inputting the image data of the sediment captured by the imaging unit into a learning model obtained by machine learning through multiple training data sets, in which the amount of sediment and the image data of the sediment state at that time are associated. The method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising determining whether the amount of sediment calculated in the processing unit exceeds the predetermined amount.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first sieving machine is a roll screen.

Images