Briquettes made from waste materials

Abstract

To provide a heat-generating briquette made from waste having properties that enable ecological disposal and, in addition, economic recovery of valuable materials. [Solution] A heat-generating briquette (1) having a reusable copper content and made from waste (2), the waste (2) including at least one metal (3) and at least one organic material (4), the heat-generating briquette (1) having a calorific value of 5 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg and a maximum copper content of 0.1% to 20% by weight. The heat-generating briquette (1) is produced from a briquette mixture (6) including at least one first piece (5) of the waste (2), the at least one first piece (5) having a calorific value of 0 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to briquettes made from waste materials. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of waste can be mechanically processed, for example in shredding plants, and separated into reusable or recyclable fractions. The resulting fractions, i.e. the shredder light fraction (SLF) and the shredder heavy fraction (SHF), can be separated into recyclable material streams and subsequently treated in a treatment process, which can then be returned to the recyclable material cycle.

[0003] However, both SLF and SHF always leave residues with a relatively low content of valuable materials, especially metals. Methods for treating these shredder residues are known in the industry. However, these methods are not very satisfactory from an economic point of view, especially because the composition of shredder residues varies widely in terms of quality and composition. Therefore, shredder residues are usually returned to a thermal energy plant (TVA) for incineration or landfill.

[0004] Conventionally, in particular light shredder fractions, as examples of heavy metal-containing residues from crushing plants or other wastes with a high proportion of organic and mineral components and a low proportion of metals, have been disposed of in landfill construction, mine backfilling, waste incineration plants, etc. However, this method does not allow for the recovery and reuse of some valuable components of this waste.

[0005] However, these solutions are contrary to the spirit of sustainable economics and therefore have limited satisfaction, especially since metals that would normally have to be recovered at a cost are lost forever through incineration or landfill without being returned to the circulation of valuable materials.

[0006] In order to be able to partially or as completely as possible reuse the raw materials contained in such waste, it is necessary to selectively separate these materials as purely as possible from the waste, which is particularly important for heavy metals, and especially precious metals, in order to return the raw materials to the material cycle. Conventional disposal methods, in particular waste incineration plants, are not suitable for this. The result of waste incineration is that, due to its structure, it is impossible to separate the components.

[0007] Although methods for recovering metals from primary and secondary raw materials in metal smelters are known in principle, the known methods do not allow for the ecologically and economically satisfactory treatment of waste fractions with high inputs and relatively low metal contents. This is particularly the case when the metal traces are in finely divided materials. In particular, fine residues with low metal contents and a high degree of amalgamation, such as those from shredder residues (so-called tertiary waste, i.e. waste that forms residues or residues remaining after multiple treatment stages) generated, for example, in the processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment, cannot currently be satisfactorily recovered. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention was to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide briquettes having properties that allow ecological disposal and, in addition, economical recovery of valuable materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The above-mentioned problems are solved by the briquettes described in the claims.

[0010] The present invention relates to briquettes from waste materials. The production of these briquettes provides waste materials containing at least one metal and at least one organic material. The waste materials may be residues containing at least one metal resulting from mechanical processing, such as residues from the processing of electrical and electronic scrap or shredder residues. The organic materials may be, for example, any type of plastic, any organic material that cannot be composted, but also any type of cellulose-containing material, such as wood or natural fibers. The organic materials may be, for example, epoxy resins, which are components of electronic waste.

[0011] Further, the waste is subjected to single-stage or multi-stage mechanical treatment and separation of at least one fraction from the waste, where the first fraction is a fraction from the shredder residue that contains a relatively low content of valuables. The first fraction is a mixture of valuables or fine particles of at least one metal, and therefore differs in nature from the metals contained in the light shredder fraction or the heavy shredder fraction.

[0012] In the next process step, a briquette mixture is produced that includes at least one first piece, the calorific value of which is 0 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg.

[0013] The calorific value of the briquetting mixture is adjusted by varying the amount of at least one first piece. The desired or required calorific value can be continuously adapted or varied, so that briquettes with an ideal calorific value suitable for a subsequent treatment or combustion process can always be produced from the briquetting mixture. In this case, it may be useful to measure or check the calorific value of the briquetting mixture continuously or discontinuously at appropriate intervals. This can be done, for example, using a control, regulation, and measurement system.

[0014] The briquette mixture is fed into a briquetting machine, which presses the mixture into briquettes, resulting in briquettes with a calorific value of 5 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg and a maximum copper content of 0.1% to 20% by weight. The briquetting machine can be a machine or plant that essentially corresponds to the prior art and can produce briquettes of different shapes, such as round briquettes, briquettes with holes, and cylindrical briquettes. Since the term "briquette" is well known in the art to mean a shaped piece pressed from finely divided material, a detailed definition is not provided here. Here too, it may be useful to continuously or discontinuously measure or verify the quality, and thus the calorific value and copper content in particular, at appropriate intervals. Such continuous quality control can be achieved, for example, using a control, regulation, and measurement system.

[0015] As mentioned herein, the individual process steps and their chronological order do not necessarily have to be performed in the order described, and other chronological orders are possible, however, it is preferred that the process steps described be performed sequentially and therefore in successive chronological order.

[0016] The advantage of the present invention is that briquettes are produced with a defined calorific value, a defined chemical composition, and a defined content of valuable materials, i.e., a defined copper content, so that the briquettes can best meet the processing requirements of subsequent processing processes or be processed in those processes. Because the composition and quality of the briquettes are precisely known and the calorific value of the briquette mixture can be adjusted or adapted, the briquettes can be used in subsequent processing or melting processes in a controlled, safe, and therefore very economical manner. Processing the first pieces into briquettes can be advantageous, especially if the first pieces consist primarily of fine material and are intended for subsequent processing, combustion, or melting in a reactor. This is because the briquettes are easy to handle and can be weighed in a simple manner. In particular, the briquettes can be introduced into the reactor with reduced dust compared to the unbriquette-processed first pieces, and as a result, can remain in the process chamber.

[0017] Furthermore, at least one first fraction can be provided as or contain fine fragments, with the fine fragments primarily having a maximum particle size of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. In principle, the at least one first fraction can be a mixture of multiple fragments, rather than a single fragment, i.e., a single fine fragment. The term fine fragments is known in the field of mechanical waste treatment and refers to fragments consisting of sand and other small objects produced during single-stage or multi-stage mechanical waste treatment. Thus, fine fragments are often a mixture of glass, fine iron, rust, fine copper wire, lead- and zinc-containing dust, plastic particles, fluff, paint residue, and the like. Fine fragments are typically relatively light, requiring significant storage and transportation space. The calorific value of fine fragments is typically in the range of 5 MJ / kg ± 5 MJ / kg. Furthermore, fine fragments can contain a high proportion of oxidizing substances, which can be used as slag-forming agents in subsequent melting processes. Fine fragments can have an iron content of up to 20% by weight. Furthermore, the fine fragments may contain 5% by weight of non-ferrous metals (copper, zinc, gold, etc.). According to the classification of the Austrian Waste Cataloging Ordinance, or OeNORM S 2100 "Waste Cataloging", section 5, table 1, the fine fragments fall under key number SN91103 for residues of mechanical treatment. This classification also applies correspondingly to this type of material outside Austria, even if the material is not classified as waste.

[0018] At least one first fragment may be provided as fluff fragments. The term fluff fragments or fluff is known in the mechanical waste treatment industry and refers to a mixture of lightweight, porous, and / or fibrous materials (e.g., textile fibers, foams, wood or cellulose, foils, etc.) produced during single- or multi-stage mechanical waste treatment. The calorific value of fluff fragments is typically in the range of 22.5 MJ / kg ± 10 MJ / kg, and is therefore often significantly higher than that of fine fragments. Fluff fragments may also contain lead, zinc, and / or chlorine compounds. Fluff fragments may contain up to 6% iron. Furthermore, plastic fragments may have up to 5% by weight of non-ferrous metals (e.g., copper, zinc, gold). According to the classification of the Austrian Waste Cataloging Ordinance, or OeNORM S 2100 "Waste Cataloging," Section 5, Table 1, fine fragments fall under key number SN91103 for mechanical treatment residues. This classification also applies correspondingly to materials of this type outside Austria, even if the material is not classified as waste.

[0019] Furthermore, at least a second fraction can be added to the briquette mixture, the second fraction having a different calorific value than the first fraction, and advantageously, the first fraction and the second fraction can have a predominantly fine particle component.

[0020] For example, the at least one second fraction can be plastic fragments, such as plastic fragments from a crushing plant. Typically, plastic fragments include solids, chunks, or rounded pieces generated during the mechanical processing of waste according to procedures. Typically, the calorific value of plastic fragments is in the range of 18.5 MJ / kg ± 10 MJ / kg. Plastic fragments may also contain a high proportion of chlorine compounds. Plastic fragments may have an iron content of up to 5% by weight. Furthermore, plastic fragments may have non-ferrous metal components (such as copper, zinc, or gold) of up to 5% by weight. The use of plastic fragments as the second fraction allows for easy and flexible adjustment of the calorific value of the briquette mixture.

[0021] The second fragments can be fluff fragments or can contain fluff fragments. In principle, the second fragments can be a mixture of multiple fragments, rather than consisting of a single fragment, i.e., a single fluff fragment. Using fluff fragments as the second fragments in addition to the fine fragments, which are the first fragments, makes it possible to easily and flexibly adjust the calorific value of the briquette mixture.

[0022] It is also advantageous to have the waste material contain at least one mineral. This can be advantageous, especially when briquettes made from the waste material are oxidized or burned in a reactor, especially a melting furnace. The presence of minerals in the waste material promotes the formation of a slag phase with a suitable viscosity in the reactor, which in turn favorably influences its separation from the metal phase.

[0023] According to a further development, it is possible to produce briquettes with a calorific value of 8 MJ / kg to 25 MJ / kg, preferably 11 MJ / kg to 18 MJ / kg, which proves to be particularly useful for precise and efficient process control in the reactor, since it promotes self-heating combustion, i.e. combustion without the addition of additional fuel.

[0024] Furthermore, it may be useful to produce briquettes with a maximum copper content of 0.3% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5% to 3% by weight, which has proven particularly useful for precise and efficient process control within the reactor.

[0025] Furthermore, the briquettes can be heated or cooled after pressing, which, depending on the composition and properties of the briquettes, can have a positive effect on the shape stability and strength of the briquettes.

[0026] Furthermore, the briquettes can be introduced into the reactor continuously or discontinuously from the briquetting device, either directly, i.e., quasi-in-line, or via intermediate storage and / or transport stages.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the composition of the briquette mixture can be configured such that, due to the high calorific value of the waste material contained therein, at least one metal melts together with the other briquettes during combustion in the reactor without the addition of additional fuel or energy. This allows for a self-heating reaction, facilitating precise and efficient process control in the reactor. However, in addition to the briquettes, additional coarse waste fragments can also be added to the reactor. In this case, due to the high calorific value of this material, at least one metal melts together with the other briquettes during combustion in the reactor without the addition of additional fuel or energy. The coarse waste fragments can be, for example, fragments from a rough shredder sorting process that contains a relatively high proportion of metals, especially non-ferrous metals. The coarse waste fragments can also be, for example, electronic scrap, metal scrap, and / or plastic fragments.

[0028] According to an advantageous development, the composition of the briquette mixture or the calorific value of the briquette mixture can be continuously adapted to process parameters of the reactor, such as the temperature in a secondary combustion plant connected downstream of the reactor, the oxygen content in the process gas in the reactor or secondary combustion plant, or the exhaust composition of the process gas in the reactor or secondary combustion plant.

[0029] However, the problem of the present invention is also solved by briquettes made from waste materials. The waste materials include at least one metal and at least one organic material. The briquettes are preferably produced by the method described herein. In this case, the briquettes are produced from a briquetting mixture containing at least one first fraction of the waste material, the at least one first fraction having a calorific value of 0 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg, and the briquettes have a calorific value of 5 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg and a maximum copper content of 0.1% to 20% by weight. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the above-mentioned description and advantages.

[0030] The advantages of the briquettes according to the present invention are that they have a defined calorific value and a defined content of valuable materials, i.e., a defined copper content. Because the composition and quality of the briquettes are precisely defined and known, the briquettes can be used together with other briquettes in a controlled, safe, and therefore highly economical manner in subsequent treatment or melting processes. Processing the first pieces into briquettes can be advantageous, especially if the first pieces consist primarily of fine material and are intended for subsequent treatment, combustion, or melting in a reactor. This is because the briquettes are easy to handle and can be weighed in a simple manner. In particular, the briquettes can be introduced into the reactor with reduced dust compared to the unbriquette-formed first pieces, and therefore can remain in the process chamber. Because the calorific value and valuable material content are precisely defined, the proportion of slag-forming components can also be precisely adjusted, which can likewise favorably affect subsequent treatment or melting processes.

[0031] Furthermore, at least one first fraction may be or comprise a fine fraction, the fine fraction having a component primarily having a maximum particle size of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm.

[0032] Additionally, the briquette mixture may include a second piece having a different heating value than the first piece.

[0033] It is also advantageous if the second pieces are fluff pieces or can include fluff pieces.

[0034] In further developments, the ratio of fine fragments to fluff fragments can be up to 0.1 to 6, preferably up to 0.3 to 5, particularly preferably up to 0.5 to 3. Briquettes produced with these mixing ratios have ideal properties for combustion or melting in reactors, in particular melting furnaces. These properties include the calorific value, the content of valuables, in particular the metal or copper content, and the viscosity of the melt.

[0035] The waste material may usefully include at least one mineral.

[0036] Furthermore, the briquettes can have a calorific value of 8 MJ / kg to 25 MJ / kg, preferably 11 MJ / kg to 18 MJ / kg.

[0037] The briquettes may have a maximum copper content of 0.3% to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5% to 3% by weight.

[0038] According to a special configuration, the composition of the briquette mixture can be configured such that, due to the high calorific value of the waste material contained therein, at least one metal contained therein melts together with the other briquettes during the combustion process in the reactor without adding additional fuel or energy.

[0039] In an advantageous development, the waste material contains at least one other metal, and the total metal content in the briquette mixture can be up to 35% by weight, preferably up to 25% by weight, and particularly preferably up to 20% by weight. Alternatively, it can be advantageous for the total metal content of copper and metals nobler than copper according to the periodic system of the elements to be up to 25% by weight, particularly preferably up to 15% by weight, and particularly preferably up to 10% by weight. Compared to metallurgical processing of primary and secondary raw materials, the low metal content of the waste material allows for the production of briquettes with a high calorific value. These briquettes are particularly well suited for thermal utilization of the waste heat from briquette combustion.

[0040] In particular, it may be advantageous for the briquettes to be thermally stable up to a temperature of 400° C. Thermally stable in this context means that the briquettes are stable long enough to be stored, transported and fed to the reactor, but not so stable that they quickly disintegrate, burn and melt in the reactor. This can be ensured at the temperatures mentioned above.

[0041] Furthermore, the briquettes are preferably at least substantially cylindrical, with the length and diameter of the briquettes being substantially the same, or the briquettes are preferably substantially cubic, with the length and width of the briquettes being substantially the same. In this case, the side length and / or the diameter of the briquettes may be 10 mm to 200 mm, preferably 20 mm to 150 mm, and particularly preferably 50 mm to 120 mm. It may also be advantageous if the ratio of the briquette length to the briquette diameter or the ratio of the briquette length to the briquette width is at most 0.3 to 5, preferably at most 0.5 to 3, and particularly preferably at most 0.7 to 2.

[0042] The briquettes are briquettes according to any one of the claims and / or the briquettes are produced by the method described herein. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the above-mentioned description and advantages.

[0043] This specification also discloses a method for treating waste materials containing metals and other materials, particularly when present in the form of fluff or the like, including, for example, shredder light fractions, to recover metals.

[0044] Against this background, the present specification also discloses a method suitable for treating waste containing metals and other materials, particularly when present in fluff or similar form, e.g. shredder light fractions, to recover valuable metals.

[0045] Advantageous configurations of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0046] In a method for treating such waste containing metals and other materials to recover metals, the waste is compressed into briquettes and then introduced into a melting furnace where it is melted into at least two phases.

[0047] It is known in principle to use melting furnaces capable of melting waste materials to produce different phases, containing individual raw materials selectively or combined groups of raw materials.

[0048] However, to operate such a melting furnace, it is necessary to determine and adjust the composition of the reactants, including the air, as accurately as possible, which has not previously been possible in the case of light shredder fractions and similar wastes with a high proportion of organic and mineral components and a low proportion of metals.

[0049] By compressing the waste into briquettes, the melting furnace can be continuously filled at a predetermined rate. Furthermore, by compressing the waste into briquettes, the conversion reaction of the waste in the melting furnace can be carried out under well-controlled and safe conditions. In other words, by compressing the waste into briquettes, the materials introduced into the melting furnace, particularly the material mixture required for the autothermal reaction, and thus the reaction mixture of the waste, pyrolysis gas, and air in the melting furnace can be precisely adjusted. In this way, the correct ratio of the individual reaction partners to each other, particularly the ratio of waste to air, can be ensured in an efficient and well-controlled manner. This method allows a large portion of the energy contained in the waste to be used for melting via the autothermal melting reaction, without abandoning the possibility of recovering the metals contained in the waste. Metals can therefore be recovered in a particularly energy-efficient manner. In addition to recovering metals, particularly non-ferrous metals and precious metals, any mineral fractions present in the waste, such as those from the light shredder fraction, can also be reused as raw materials.

[0050] Briquettes are produced by compressing the waste material in a press, preferably designed as a piston press. Such devices, also known as briquetting presses, are generally known and, compared to other options for compressing waste material, are simpler and more reliable for continuous operation, even with large volumes.

[0051] Preferably, the waste metals include copper, lead, tin, zinc, nickel, iron, and precious metals for which the methods described herein are certainly feasible, although other metals may also be recovered from waste in the manner described herein.

[0052] Preferably, the other substances of the waste comprise organic matter and / or minerals. Particularly preferably, the waste has a high proportion of organic and mineral components and a low proportion of metal components, especially heavy metal components. Such types of waste can be treated particularly reliably and advantageously by the method described herein.

[0053] Preferably, the briquettes are used in a self-heating manner in the melting furnace with the addition of air to generate hot process gas. Compressing the waste into briquettes is particularly advantageous here, since briquettes facilitate the continuous feeding of precisely measured amounts of waste into the melting furnace, compared to a method in which the waste is fed to the melting furnace without changing its form. Therefore, the reaction partners can be configured so that no additional energy supply is required for the reaction.

[0054] Preferably, the hot process gases are at least partially used to generate steam in a waste heat boiler, which can be used, for example, to generate electricity by feeding the steam to a steam turbine or the like. However, the hot process gases, and in particular their thermal energy, can also be used in other ways, for example in long-distance heat supply systems.

[0055] Furthermore, the hot process gas can at least partially contribute to the melting of the waste in the melting furnace by providing its thermal energy to the reaction, thus ensuring that the metallic and mineral components in the waste are melted.

[0056] Advantageously, by appropriately controlling the atmosphere in the melting furnace, a slag phase is generated that is poor in, and preferably substantially free of, valuable metals, in particular copper, lead, tin, zinc, nickel, iron, or precious metals. The slag phase is considered to be poor in valuable metals if its content of valuable metals is 0.7% by weight or less. The slag phase is considered to be substantially free of valuable metals if its content of valuable metals is 0.5% by weight or less. In addition, a liquid metal phase, in particular a liquid copper phase, is generated that is enriched in other heavy metals, in particular lead, tin, zinc, nickel, and precious metals. Individual components of the waste can be selectively recovered relatively easily from the slag phase and the enriched liquid copper phase. By feeding the waste in the form of briquettes, the atmosphere in the melting furnace can be controlled particularly well, in particular continuously.

[0057] Preferably, the molten waste is transferred to a separation furnace where separation of the slag and metal phases takes place, in particular gravity separation.

[0058] The object of the invention is also achieved by an industrial plant adapted to carry out a method for treating waste containing metals and other substances to recover the metals, said industrial plant comprising a press, preferably designed as a piston press, for compressing the waste into briquettes and a melting furnace for melting the briquettes into at least two phases.

[0059] Other advantages and developments of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the detailed description that follows.

[0060] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0061] The figures are each shown in a highly simplified schematic representation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0062] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic process flow diagram. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram of a system in which the preferred method can be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0063] It should be noted at the outset that the same elements in the different embodiments described will be designated by the same reference numerals or part names. In this case, the disclosure contained in the entire description applies mutatis mutandis to the same elements having the same reference numerals or part names. Positional terms selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., are also based on the displayed figures directly described, and these positional terms will apply mutatis mutandis to the new positions if the positions change.

[0064] It should be understood that the term "particularly" hereinafter may refer to a possible more specific configuration or more detailed description of an object or process step, but not necessarily to a mandatory preferred embodiment or mandatory manner thereof.

[0065] As used herein, the terms "comprise," "have," "had," "include," "included," "included," "including," and all variations thereof refer to a non-exclusive inclusion.

[0066] Figure 1 shows a schematic process flow diagram of the most important process steps and material flows. It goes without saying that not all of the plant components and material flows shown or described below are absolutely necessary, and other plant components and material flows may be provided alongside those shown or described below.

[0067] 1 or the briquettes 1 produced therein essentially comprises two main plant areas: a briquetting plant 15 for producing briquettes using one or more briquetting devices 7, and a charging plant 16 for charging the subsequent reaction plant 20. Furthermore, a waste treatment plant 25, either associated with the overall plant or structurally independent, can be provided for treating and roughly sorting the waste 2.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the briquetting plant 15 and the charging plant 16 are structurally integrated into the overall plant. The overall plant is fed substantially via a main conveying path for additives 17 and a main conveying path for waste 2. The briquetting plant 15 and the charging plant 16 are used to produce briquettes 1 and, optionally, to store, mix, and provide bulk materials, in particular coarse fragments 18 originating from waste 2 or other or further waste materials 19. The coarse fragments of waste may be, for example, fragments from a rough shredder sorting process that contains a relatively high proportion of metals, in particular non-ferrous metals. The coarse fragments of other waste materials 19 may be, for example, electronic scrap, metal scrap, and / or plastic fragments. According to the illustrated example, a material stream comprising the briquettes 1 and possibly other components, such as coarse fragments 18, can be continuously or discontinuously fed from the overall plant to a reaction plant 20 with a reactor 12. However, it is also possible—not shown—that the production of the briquettes 1 takes place in a structurally or spatially separated briquetting plant 15, followed by a charging plant 16 in which the briquettes 1 are simply stored and, if necessary, transported from there to the reaction plant 20. The charging plant 16 can also be designed as a component of the reaction plant 20.

[0069] The briquetting plant 15 and the charging plant 16 comprise a number of conveying means 21 and storage means 22, such as screw conveyors, screens, pipes, intermediate bunkers, silos, one or more briquetting devices 7 designed as, for example, briquette presses 23, one or more containers equipped with load cells 24, and conveyor belts. The load cells 24 allow the briquettes 1 to be accurately weighed and charged into the reaction plant 20 or reactor 12. For this purpose, the storage silos for the coarse fragments 18 and also for the additives 17 can be designed with load cells 24.

[0070] 1, a waste material 2 is first provided, which contains at least one metal 3, in particular copper, and at least one organic material 4. The waste material 2 may further contain at least one mineral 11. The waste material 2 may also contain at least one other metal, the total content of metals in the briquette mixture 6 being at most 35% by weight, preferably at most 25% by weight, and particularly preferably at most 20% by weight. Alternatively, the total content of metals consisting of copper and metals nobler than copper according to the periodic system of the elements may be at most 25% by weight, preferably at most 15% by weight, and particularly preferably at most 10% by weight.

[0071] This is followed by a single- or multi-stage mechanical treatment of the waste 2. In particular, both steps can be carried out in a waste treatment plant 25, for example, a crushing plant. The waste treatment plant 25 can be designed to be structurally or spatially separated from the briquetting plant 15 and the charging plant 16. The waste treatment plant 25 can also be used to treat other waste 19. In addition to the first fragments 5, the waste treatment plant 25 can also produce second fragments 9. Of course, it is also conceivable that the waste treatment plant 25 is part of an entire plant. Furthermore, in the waste treatment plant 25 and / or the briquetting plant 15, at least one first fragment 5 is separated from the waste 2. The material flows shown in FIG. 1 should be understood—as mentioned at the beginning—as merely schematic and exemplary. Depending on the type and separation of the waste 2 in the waste treatment plant 25, the briquetting plant 15 can advantageously be designed with one or more screens or screw conveyors, which can be useful for sufficient separation of the material flows. 1 should be understood as merely exemplary. The actual arrangement of the conveying means 21 depends on the type and properties of the material to be conveyed and is within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art. However, it is also possible—although not shown—that the waste treatment plant 25, rather than the briquetting plant 15, is designed with one or more screens or screw conveyors that may be useful for sufficient separation of the material streams.

[0072] Subsequently, a briquette mixture 6 is produced, i.e., via a waste treatment plant 25 as shown, or a conveying means 21 designed as a screw conveyor. The briquette mixture 6 includes at least one first fragment 5, which has a calorific value of 0 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg. The calorific value of the briquette mixture 6 is then altered by modifying the first fragment 5. This can be achieved, for example, by the conveying means 21. The at least one first fragment 5 can be provided as a fine fragment 8, which mainly comprises components with a maximum particle size of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm. Furthermore, the briquette mixture 6 can be supplemented with at least one second fragment 9 having a calorific value different from that of the first fragment 5. In this case, the second fragment 9 can also originate from the waste treatment plant 25. The second fragment 9 can be fluff fragment 10. The ratio of the fine fragment 8 to the fluff fragment 10 is at most 0.1 to 6, preferably at most 0.3 to 5, and particularly preferably at most 0.5 to 3.

[0073] The pieces 5 and 9 for the briquette mixture 6, as well as the finished briquette mixture 6, are stored in a suitable storage means 22, such as a silo. The briquette mixture 6 is then transported by a transport means 21 to a briquetting device 7 or briquette press 23. The briquette press 23 can be designed, for example, as a piston compressor or an extrusion press with an eccentric drive. While four briquette presses 23 are shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the actual number naturally depends on the size and capacity of the plant. These briquette presses 23 can be operated in parallel or alternately. The precise design of the entire plant is, of course, within the capabilities of those skilled in the art. The briquette mixture 6 is then pressed into briquettes 1 in the briquetting device 7 or briquette press 23 to produce briquettes 1 with a calorific value of 5 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg and a maximum copper content of 0.1 wt% to 20 wt%. In particular, the briquette 1 may have a calorific value of 8 MJ / kg to 25 MJ / kg, preferably 11 MJ / kg to 18 MJ / kg. Furthermore, the briquette 1 may have a maximum copper content of 0.3 wt% to 10 wt%, preferably 0.5 wt% to 3 wt%. Preferably, the briquette 1 is thermally stable up to a temperature of 400°C. Furthermore, the briquette 1 may be formed into an at least substantially cylindrical shape. In this case, the length of the briquette 1 and the diameter of the briquette 1 are preferably substantially equal. However, the briquette 1 may also be formed into an at least substantially cubic shape, and the length and width of the briquette are preferably substantially the same. In this case, the side length and / or the diameter of the briquette 1 may be 10 mm to 200 mm, preferably 20 mm to 150 mm, and particularly preferably 50 mm to 120 mm. It may also be advantageous if the ratio of the length of the briquette 1 to the diameter of the briquette 1 or the ratio of the length of the briquette 1 to the width of the briquette 1 is at most 0.3-5, preferably at most 0.5-3, particularly preferably at most 0.7-2.

[0074] The finished briquettes 1 can be transported from the briquetting press 23 to one or more storage means 22 or silos designed with load cells 24. From these silos or briquetting devices 7, the briquettes 1 are transported continuously or discontinuously to the reactor 12 of the reaction plant 20. Of course, it is also conceivable that the briquettes 1 are transported directly from the briquetting device 7, i.e., without intermediate storage, to the reactor 12. After pressing, the briquettes 1 can be heated or cooled. This heating or cooling can take place in the plant area between the briquetting device 7 and the storage means 22 or in the transport path between the storage means 22 and the reactor 12. Of course, it is also conceivable that all plant areas between the briquetting device 7 and the reactor 12 are heated or cooled. In addition to the briquettes 1, various additives 17 and coarse pieces 18 can also be charged into the reactor 12. In the reactor 12 or in a separation furnace 40 subsequent to the reactor 12, the briquettes 1, additives 17 and coarse fragments 18 melt into a liquid slag phase 13 and a liquid metal-containing phase 14.

[0075] The composition of the briquette mixture 6 is such that, due to the high calorific value of the waste material 2 contained therein, at least one metal 3 melts together with the other briquettes 1 during the combustion process in the reactor 12 without adding any additional fuel or energy. In this case, the composition of the briquette mixture 1 or the calorific value of the briquette mixture 6 is continuously adapted to the process parameters of the reactor 12. The process parameters may be, for example, the temperature of the flue gas in a secondary combustion plant connected downstream of the reactor, the oxygen content of this flue gas, or the composition of this flue gas. Continuous measurement of such process parameters and control of the process based on the process parameters can be carried out using a control device 26. The entire plant can be designed with a central control device 26 that allows monitoring, measurement, control, and regulation of the individual plant areas. However, the main plant area or the individual plant areas can also be equipped with separate or independent control devices 26.

[0076] Figure 2 is another simplified schematic diagram of a system in which the preferred method can be implemented, showing how briquettes 1 produced according to the present invention can be used or processed in a reaction plant 20 in an overall process or plant.

[0077] The shredder light fraction, which is an example of waste 2 containing metals 3 and other substances from which it is desired to fully recover its metal content, is first fed into a storage bunker 27 for further processing. From the storage bunker 27, the waste 2 is conveyed via a screw conveyor 28 or the like to a briquetting press designed as a piston compactor 29, where the waste 2 is compressed into briquettes. The shredder light fraction may contain as metals 3, in particular copper, lead, tin, zinc, nickel and / or precious metals.

[0078] In a concrete plant, four briquetting presses 23, designed for example as piston compressors 29, are capable of compressing and briquetting about 10 tons of shredder light fraction per hour.

[0079] The briquettes 1 are then transported via a weighing machine 30 to a weighing bunker 31, from where they are charged into a melting furnace 33 via a charging lance 32. In addition to the briquettes 1, air 43 is also charged into the melting furnace 33 to generate a reactive mixture inside the melting furnace 33. The briquettes are charged in batches, i.e., in one amount at a time.

[0080] Before the briquettes 1 are fed into the melting furnace 33, the latter is heated to, for example, 1200°C to 1250°C. By compressing the waste 2 into briquettes 1, the amount of organic matter 4 fed into the melting furnace 33 can be adjusted very precisely. In this regard, it has been found that a ratio of organic matter 4 of, for example, 35% to 50% of the fed mass is suitable for a self-exothermic reaction involving air delivered by a dedicated compressed air lance 34 and pyrolysis gases.

[0081] The self-heating reaction can be stabilized by controlling the amount of air and pyrolysis gas added. To achieve this, it is essential to know how much organic matter 4 is present in the melting furnace 33. Air is supplied only in the amount necessary for the reaction to occur within the melting furnace 33—i.e., for the combustion of the organic matter 4 and pyrolysis gas. However, the air supply is limited to prevent direct combustion of all the pyrolysis gas, in order to prevent overheating the melting furnace. This reaction proceeds within the melting furnace 33 for, for example, 5 to 5.5 hours without the addition of external fuel, resulting in the formation of a molten liquid consisting of liquid slag 13 and liquid metal 14.

[0082] Hot process gases 44 are generated during the autothermal reaction and are drawn through an inlet hood 35 and fed via a secondary combustion chamber 36 to a boiler 37. Steam can be generated in the boiler 37 in the usual way and this steam can be used to generate electrical energy by means of a turbine 38. Alternatively and additionally, the steam can be used for local and remote area heat supply networks.

[0083] After the reaction in the melting furnace 33 has been completed as completely as possible, the melting furnace 33 can be emptied and its liquid contents can be further transported via the transport section 39. Preferably, the molten liquid consisting of the liquid slag 13 and the liquid metal 14 is thus fed into the separation furnace 40. The separation furnace 40 can be realized, for example, as a rotary furnace, and the temperature inside can reach, for example, 1200°C to 1250°C. Unlike the melting furnace 33, the separation furnace 40 no longer undergoes any reaction inside, and therefore is externally refueled to reach and maintain the predetermined temperature. After the melting furnace has been emptied, it can be filled with the next batch of waste 2.

[0084] In the separation furnace 40, the separation of the slag phase 13 from the metal phase 14 can be carried out for, for example, 5 to 5.5 hours. 3 ~3.5t / m 3 whereas the specific gravity of the metal phase 14 is about 8 t / m 3Therefore, gravity separation is suitable for this purpose. However, these values ​​are only examples and will of course vary depending on the material. If two or more phases have different specific gravities, these phases will be layered relative to each other in the separation furnace 40.

[0085] In the separation furnace 40, the slag is prepared for, for example, 3 to 4 hours, and then the slag is granulated for, for example, 2 to 3 hours, and can be removed from the separation furnace 40 through the slag discharge section 41.

[0086] The metals 3 can then be suitably removed from the separation furnace 40 through a metal discharge section 42 and thereby recovered. The metals 3 can be present, for example, as a liquid metal phase, for example a liquid copper phase, which can be enriched with other or heavy metals, such as lead, tin, zinc, nickel and / or precious metals.

[0087] The above-described exemplary embodiments are illustrative of possible embodiments, and it should be noted here that the present invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments, but rather the individual embodiments can be combined with each other in various ways, and this variation is within the ability of a person skilled in the art based on the teachings of the present invention regarding the technical operations.

[0088] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the detailed description and the drawings are to be relied upon for interpreting the claims. Individual features or combinations of features described in the different illustrated and described embodiments may constitute independent inventive solutions in themselves. The problems underlying these independent inventive solutions can be read from this description.

[0089] In describing the invention, all references to ranges of values ​​should be understood to include any and all subranges within that range. For example, a reference to 1 to 10 should be understood to include all subranges beginning at a lower limit of 1 and ending at an upper limit of 10. That is, all subranges begin at a lower limit of 1 or more and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, such as 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0090] Finally, it should be pointed out that, formally, in order to make the structure easier to understand, some elements have been represented not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 briquette 2. Waste 3 metal 4 Organic matter 5 Fragment 1 6 Briquette mixture 7 Briquetting equipment 8 Micro-fragments 9 Second Fragment 10 fluff fragments 11 Minerals 12 Reactor 13 Slag phase 14 Metal-containing phase 15 Briquetting Plant 16 Charging Plant 17 Additives 18 Coarse fragments 19 Other waste 20 Reaction Plant 21 Means of transport 22 Storage means 23 Briquette press 24 load cells 25 Waste Treatment Plant 26 Control device 27 Storage Bunker 28 Screw Conveyor 29 Piston Compressor 30 Measuring instrument 31 Weighing Bunker 32 Charging lance 33 Melting furnace 34 Compressed Air Lance 35 Suction Hood 36 Secondary combustion chamber 37 Boiler 38 Turbine 39 Transport Section 40 Separation furnace 41 Slag discharge section 42 Metal discharge section 43 Air 44 Process Gas

Claims

1. A heat-generating briquette (1) having a defined content of recyclable material, i.e. a defined copper content, made from said waste (2), said waste (2) comprising said at least one metal (3) and at least one organic substance (4), The heat-generating briquette (1) has a calorific value of 5 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg and a maximum copper content of 0.1 wt % to 20 wt %, The heat-generating briquette (1) is produced from a briquette mixture (6) containing at least one first piece (5) of the waste (2), and the at least one first piece (5) has a calorific value of 0 MJ / kg to 30 MJ / kg.

2. The heat briquette (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first fragment (5) is or comprises a fine fragment (8), the fine fragment (8) mainly having components with a maximum particle size of less than 15 mm, preferably less than 10 mm.

3. 3. The heat briquette (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the briquette mixture (6) includes second pieces (9) having a different heat value than the first pieces (5).

4. The heat briquette (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the second pieces (9) are fluff pieces (10) or comprise fluff pieces (10).

5. The heat briquette (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the ratio of the fine fragments (8) to the fluff fragments (10) is at most 0.1 to 6, preferably at most 0.3 to 5, particularly preferably at most 0.5 to 3.

6. The heat briquette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the waste (2) comprises at least one mineral (11).

7. The heat briquette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the heat briquette (1) has a calorific value of 8 MJ / kg to 25 MJ / kg, preferably 11 MJ / kg to 18 MJ / kg.

8. The heat briquette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the heat briquette (1) has a maximum copper content of 0.3 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight.

9. 9. The heat briquette (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the waste (2) contains at least one other metal, and the total content of metals in the briquette mixture (6) is at most 35% by weight, preferably at most 25% by weight, particularly preferably at most 20% by weight, or the total content of metals consisting of copper and metals nobler than copper according to the periodic system of the elements is at most 25% by weight, particularly preferably at most 15% by weight, particularly preferably at most 10% by weight.

10. 10. The exothermic briquette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is thermally stable up to a temperature of 400°C.

11. The heat briquette (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the heat briquette (1) is preferably at least substantially cylindrically shaped, with the length and diameter of the heat briquette (1) being at least substantially the same size, or the briquette (1) is preferably substantially cubic, with the length and width of the heat briquette (1) being at least substantially the same size.

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