Waste disposal system

The waste treatment system addresses fire risks by submerging waste in liquid and using intelligent fire management to prevent and extinguish fires, ensuring safe conveyance and processing of hazardous materials.

JP7849249B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-21MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES POWER IDS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES POWER IDS CO LTD
Filing Date
2022-08-23
Publication Date
2026-04-21

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Waste treatment systems face risks of fire due to ignition sources like batteries or gas cylinders during conveyance, and existing fire detection systems provide fire prevention only after ignition, with potential false determinations from dust scattering.

Method used

A waste treatment system with a conveying device that includes a submersion section to submerge waste in liquid, promoting quick extinguishment of ignition sources and reducing fire risk, enhanced by using aqueous solutions to dissolve metals and actively manage fire through gas detection and ventilation.

Benefits of technology

The system effectively reduces fire occurrence by quickly extinguishing ignition sources and managing combustion gases, ensuring safe conveyance and processing of waste, including lithium-ion batteries, through submersion and intelligent fire detection.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a waste disposal system that can reduce the possibility that fire may occur.SOLUTION: The waste disposal system is provided with a conveyance device that conveys a waste, from an inlet of a conveyance path toward an outlet thereof, where the conveyance device includes, in at least a portion of the conveyance path of the conveyance device, a submerging part that submerges the waste in liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a waste treatment system.

Background Art

[0002] Waste treatment systems perform processes such as crushing, incinerating, or gasifying waste such as municipal solid waste. Such waste treatment systems include a conveying device for conveying the treated waste.

[0003] Waste may inadvertently contain ignition sources such as batteries, lighters, or gas cylinders that can ignite by the above-mentioned processes. If the conveying device conveys waste containing these ignition sources, ignition may occur during conveyance, leading to a risk of developing a fire throughout the waste treatment system. Patent Document 1 discloses a fire detection system that determines the presence or absence of ignition based on an image of crushed waste (crushed waste) falling from a first conveyor to a second conveyor as a fire prevention measure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even if the fire detection system described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a waste treatment system, fire prevention measures will be taken after ignition is detected. Therefore, the waste treatment system has a certain possibility of fire occurring. In addition, the conveying device may convey waste in a state where a large amount of dust is scattered, and there is a risk of false determination of the fire detection system.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned issues and aims to provide a waste treatment system that can reduce the possibility of fire occurring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the waste treatment system according to this disclosure includes a conveying device that conveys waste from the entrance to the exit of a conveying path, and the conveying device includes a submersion section in at least a part of the conveying path of the conveying device that submerges the waste in a liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The waste disposal system described herein can reduce the likelihood of fires occurring. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram schematically shows the configuration of the waste treatment system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows the configuration of the submerged section according to several embodiments. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows the transport device and the surrounding structure of the transport device of the waste treatment system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows the transport device and the surrounding structure of the transport device in the waste treatment system according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The waste treatment system according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Such embodiments represent one aspect of this disclosure and are not limiting, and can be modified at will within the scope of the technical concept of this disclosure.

[0011] <First Embodiment> (composition) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the waste treatment system 1 according to the first embodiment. The waste treatment system 1 accepts non-combustible waste or bulky waste as waste W, crushes the accepted waste W in two stages (rough crushing and fine crushing), and produces finely crushed waste W. In the first embodiment, the waste W includes lithium-ion batteries. The waste treatment system 1 may include not only a crushing process to crush the waste W, but also a compression process to compress the waste, an incineration process to burn the waste W, a gasification process to gasify the waste W, etc., in lieu of or in conjunction with the crushing process.

[0012] In the first embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1, the waste treatment system 1 includes a waste pit 50, a receiving hopper 52, a deformation device (primary crusher 54), a secondary crusher 56, a first conveyor 64, a second conveyor 68, and a transport device 2.

[0013] The first conveyor 64, the second conveyor 68, and the transport device 2 are each devices for transporting the supplied waste W to its destination. The first conveyor 64 connects the receiving hopper 52 and the primary crusher 54, and transports the waste W received in the receiving hopper 52 to the primary crusher 54. The second conveyor 68 transports the waste W, which has been finely crushed by the secondary crusher 56, to the next processing device (not shown), such as a magnetic separator. The transport device 2 transports the waste W, which has been roughly crushed by the primary crusher 54, to the secondary crusher 56. The transport device 2 has a submerged section 6, which will be described later, but the first conveyor 64 and the second conveyor 68 do not have a submerged section 6.

[0014] The waste pit 50 stores the waste W. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, the waste pit 50 is connected to the platform 60 and stores the waste W that is loaded from the platform 60 by the waste transport vehicle 58. However, the method of loading the waste W into the waste pit 50 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Figure 1.

[0015] The receiving hopper 52 receives the waste W stored in the waste pit 50. In the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, the waste treatment system 1 includes a crane 62 located above the waste pit 50. The crane 62 feeds the waste W stored in the waste pit 50 into the receiving hopper 52.

[0016] The deformation device deforms the waste W to produce a deformed material. The deformed material is then supplied to the submerged section 6 of the conveying device 2. In the first embodiment, the deformation device is a primary crusher 54 that roughly crushes the waste W fed into the receiving hopper 52. The primary crusher 54 is, for example, a twin-shaft crusher, and has an outlet 66 formed between two crushing blades arranged on the left and right, through which the waste W that has passed is discharged by falling. However, this disclosure does not limit the primary crusher 54 to a twin-shaft crusher.

[0017] The secondary crusher 56 finely pulverizes the waste W (deformed material) that has been roughly crushed by the primary crusher 54. The secondary crusher 56 is not particularly limited as long as it can crush the waste W more finely than the primary crusher 54, and may be a single-shaft crusher or a twin-shaft crusher.

[0018] The conveying device 2 will now be described in detail. The conveying device 2 conveys the waste W from the inlet 3a to the outlet 3b of the conveying path 3. Such a conveying device 2 includes, for example, a conveying belt 5 that receives the waste W discharged from the outlet 66 of the primary crusher 54 and moves the waste W to the secondary crusher 56. The conveying belt 5 is made of, for example, an endless strip of rubber material (elastic body) and is freely traversed around a plurality of drums (not shown) that are spaced apart from each other along the horizontal direction. As the drums rotate, the conveying belt 5 moves in a circular motion. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the waste treatment system 1 is configured to supply waste W from the stockyard 70 to the conveying device 2. The conveying device 2 may also be configured to convey the waste W in a manner other than those described above, and may include, for example, a pressing device that presses the waste W toward the outlet 3b of the conveying path 3.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the position where the conveyor belt 5 receives the waste W is set as the inlet 3a of the conveying path 3, and the tip on the side of the secondary crusher 56 of the conveyor belt 5 is set as the outlet 3b of the conveying path 3. That is, the inlet 3a of the conveying path 3 is located between both ends of the conveyor belt 5. In some embodiments, the inlet 3a of the conveying path 3 is located directly below the discharge port 66 of the primary crusher 54. In some embodiments, the inlet 3a of the conveying path 3 is located at one end on the side opposite to the tip on the side of the secondary crusher 56 of the conveyor belt 5.

[0020] The conveying device 2 includes a submerging portion 6 that submerges the waste W in the liquid X in at least a part of the conveying path 3. The liquid X is non-combustible and is, for example, water. Non-combustible means the property of not self-igniting even if the waste W contains a source of ignition. In the first embodiment, the submerging portion 6 is configured to be able to store the liquid X. And the submerging portion 6 includes the inlet 3a of the conveying path 3, and when the waste W falls and is discharged from the discharge port 66 of the primary crusher 54, it is quickly submerged in the liquid X. The waste W moves through the submerging portion 6 toward the secondary crusher 56 in a state of being submerged in the liquid X. In the form illustrated in FIG. 1, the conveying path 3 includes a downstream portion 8 located on the downstream side of the submerging portion 6 in the conveying direction of the conveying path 3. The downstream portion 8 is located above the water surface of the liquid X. The downstream portion 8 is connected to the submerging portion 6 and includes an inclined portion 10 that extends upward as it goes from the upstream to the downstream in the conveying direction of the conveying path 3.

[0021] An example of the configuration of the submerging portion 6 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the submerging portion 6 according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the submerging portion 6 includes a first path 12 that is a part of the conveying path 3 of the conveying device 2, and a second path 14 that is a part of the conveying path 3 of another conveying device 2 and is located on the downstream side of the conveying path 3 in the conveying direction with respect to the first path 12. The first path 12 is configured to convey the waste W along a direction opposite to the direction in which the second path 14 conveys the waste W. The first path 12 and the second path 14 are offset from each other in the vertical direction D.

[0022] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the transport path 3 is provided separately from the first path 12 and the second path 14, is located downstream of the second path 14 in the transport direction of the transport path 3, and includes a third path 16 having an exit 3b for the transport path 3. The transport path 3 includes a first connecting path 17 connecting the downstream end of the first path 12 and the upstream end of the second path 14, and a second connecting path 18 connecting the downstream end of the second path 14 and the upstream end of the third path 16. The first path 12 has an inlet 3a for the transport path 3. In other words, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the portion of the transport path 3 included in the submerged section 6 extends to have a three-stage structure in the vertical direction D. In some embodiments, the portion of the transport path 3 included in the submerged section 6 extends to have a spiral shape.

[0023] According to the configuration illustrated in Figure 2, the first path 12 and the second path 14 are offset from each other in the vertical direction D. Therefore, the area of ​​the submerged section 6 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction D can be suppressed, while the transport path 3 included in the submerged section 6 can be lengthened. Thus, the time during which the waste W is transported submerged in liquid X can be extended, reducing the possibility of fire.

[0024] (Effects / Actions) The operation and effects of the waste treatment system 1 according to the first embodiment will now be described. According to the first embodiment, the transport device 2 includes a submerged section 6 in part of the transport path 3, so that the waste W is transported while submerged in liquid X. Therefore, even if a source of fire is contained in the waste W supplied to the transport device 2, the source of fire can be quickly extinguished, reducing the possibility of a fire occurring.

[0025] In the first embodiment, the submerged section 6 was included in a part of the transport path 3 of the transport device 2, but this disclosure is not limited to this form. In some embodiments, the submerged section 6 is included in the entire transport path 3 of the transport device 2. In some embodiments, the submerged section 6 is located on the upstream side of the transport path 3 of the transport device 2. Also, in the first embodiment, the submerged section 6 included the entrance 3a of the transport path 3, but this disclosure is not limited to this form and can be provided in any range of the transport path 3 of the transport device 2.

[0026] According to the first embodiment, by immersing the waste W, which has been roughly crushed by the primary crusher 54 (deformation device), in liquid X, the penetration of liquid X into the waste W is promoted, and the possibility of fire occurring during processing and transport in the transport device 2 and beyond can be reduced. In the first embodiment, the primary crusher 54 was given as an example of a deformation device, but this disclosure is not limited to this form. The deformation device may deform the waste W by means other than crushing, for example, a compressor that deforms the waste W by compressing it.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the conveying device 2 was provided between the primary crusher 54 and the secondary crusher 56 in the waste treatment system 1, but this disclosure is not limited to this form. The waste treatment system 1 may be provided with the conveying device 2 instead of the first conveyor 64. The waste treatment system 1 may be provided with the conveying device 2 instead of the second conveyor 68.

[0028] If the waste W supplied to the primary crusher 54 contains ignition sources such as batteries, lighters, or gas cylinders, there is a high probability that these ignition sources will ignite (a spark will be generated) when the waste W is roughly crushed by the primary crusher 54. According to the first embodiment, the primary crusher 54 discharges the roughly crushed waste W by dropping and quickly supplies it to the submerged section 6 of the conveying device 2. Therefore, any sparks contained in the waste W supplied to the conveying device 2 can be quickly extinguished.

[0029] Lithium-ion batteries account for a very large proportion of the causes of fire in waste W. This is because a large current flows and generates heat when a short circuit occurs where the positive and negative electrodes of a lithium-ion battery are directly connected. Furthermore, this heat causes the metal oxide crystals of the positive electrode material to break down and release oxygen, which reacts with the electrolyte to generate even more heat. Short circuits in lithium-ion batteries contained in waste W often occur when the separator, a battery component that separates the positive and negative electrodes, is damaged when the waste W is subjected to external impact such as crushing or compression. According to the first embodiment, the waste W that has been roughly crushed by the primary crusher 54 is quickly supplied to the submersion section 6 of the conveying device 2 and submerged in liquid X (water). Therefore, even if the waste W contains lithium-ion batteries, the possibility of fire can be reduced.

[0030] Furthermore, liquid X may be anything other than water, as long as it is non-flammable. In some embodiments, liquid X is an aqueous solution with a higher conductivity than water, such as saline solution. With such a configuration, when waste W is submerged in the aqueous solution, metals with a high ionization tendency (such as aluminum) contained in the waste W can be dissolved in the aqueous solution. This promotes the penetration of the aqueous solution into the waste W, and compared to water, it can enhance the effect of suppressing ignition, which is the cause of ignition. In particular, if the waste W contains lithium-ion batteries, the lithium-ion batteries will quickly lose their airtight seal and cause a short circuit due to the accelerated dissolution of the positive electrode terminals by electrolysis when submerged in the aqueous solution. Even if this short circuit occurs, since the waste W is submerged in the aqueous solution, the source of the fire can be quickly extinguished. In other words, by intentionally and actively causing a short circuit at a safe timing, the risk of ignition by lithium-ion batteries from the waste W can be eliminated, and the possibility of fire occurring during processing or transport from the submerged section 6 onward of the transport device 2 can be reduced.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the submerged section 6 was configured to store liquid X, but the disclosure is not limited to this form. In some embodiments, though not shown, the waste treatment system 1 includes a pool in which liquid X is stored, and the conveying device 2 has a submerged section 6 formed by submerging at least a portion of the conveying path 3 of the conveying device 2 in the liquid X stored in the pool.

[0032] <Second Embodiment> A waste treatment system 1 according to a second embodiment of this disclosure will now be described. In the waste treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment, the conveying device 2 and the surrounding structure of the conveying device 2 are further limited. In the second embodiment, components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed description is omitted.

[0033] (composition) Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the transport device 2 and the surrounding structure of the transport device 2 of the waste treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 3, the waste treatment system 1 includes a cover member 20 provided above the submerged portion 6, a gas detection device 24 for detecting the concentration of gas in the internal space 22 of the cover member 20, a ventilation device 26 for ventilating the internal space 22 of the cover member 20, and a control device 80.

[0034] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the cover member 20 includes a wall 20a and a ceiling 20b. The internal space 22 is formed by being enclosed by the wall 20a and the ceiling 20b and faces the surface of the liquid X stored in the submerged section 6. The ceiling 20b has holes 28 for allowing waste W to pass through. The gas detection device 24 detects the concentration of gas generated by the combustion of waste W. In the second embodiment, the gas detection device 24 detects the concentration of carbon dioxide in the internal space 22. The ventilation device 26 is, for example, a centrifugal fan, which ventilates the internal space 22 by rotating.

[0035] The control device 80 is a computer such as an electronic control device, and includes a processor such as a CPU or GPU (not shown), memory such as ROM or RAM, and an I / O interface. The control device 80 realizes each of its functional units by having the processor operate (calculate, etc.) according to the instructions of a program loaded into memory. In some embodiments, the control device 80 is a cloud server located in a cloud environment.

[0036] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the control device 80 is electrically connected to the gas detection device 24 and the ventilation device 26, respectively. When the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the gas detection device 24 exceeds a preset concentration, the control device 80 sends a drive command to the ventilation device 26. Upon receiving the drive command, the ventilation device 26 starts ventilating the internal space 22. Then, when the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the gas detection device 24 falls below the recovery concentration, which is lower than the set concentration, the control device 80 sends a stop command to the ventilation device 26. Upon receiving the stop command, the ventilation device 26 stops ventilating the internal space 22. In this way, the ventilation device 26 is configured to drive when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the internal space 22 exceeds the set concentration and to stop when it returns to below the recovery concentration.

[0037] (Effects / Actions) The operation and effects of the waste treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment will now be described. Even if waste W is submerged in liquid X, the waste W may burn due to ignition sources contained in the waste W. When waste W burns, combustion gas containing carbon dioxide is generated. According to the second embodiment, a gas detection device 24 is provided, so by monitoring the detected value (carbon dioxide concentration) of the gas detection device 24, it is possible to know whether or not combustion gas is being generated. In other words, it is possible to know whether or not the waste W being transported by the transport device 2 is burning. It should be noted that this disclosure does not limit the detection target of the gas detection device 24 to carbon dioxide, but may be, for example, hydrogen, ethane, methane, carbon monoxide, etc.

[0038] According to the second embodiment, even if the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space 22 of the cover member 20 increases due to the combustion of waste W and the state of the internal space 22 changes, the ventilation device 26 is driven until the detected value of the gas detection device 24 exceeds the set concentration and falls below the recovery concentration. Therefore, the state of the internal space 22 of the cover member 20 can be returned to the state before the waste W was combusted.

[0039] In some embodiments, the control device 80 stops supplying waste W from the primary crusher 54 to the conveying device 2 when the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the gas detection device 24 exceeds a set concentration. In some embodiments, the control device 80 stops the conveying device 2 when the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the gas detection device 24 exceeds a set concentration. In some embodiments, the control device 80 stops the first conveyor 64 and the second conveyor 68 respectively when the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the gas detection device 24 exceeds a set concentration.

[0040] <Third Embodiment> A waste treatment system 1 according to a third embodiment of this disclosure will now be described. In the waste treatment system 1 according to the third embodiment, a downstream transport device 30 and a storage tank 34 are further added to the waste treatment system 1 according to the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, components that are the same as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0041] (composition) Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the transport device 2 and the surrounding structure of the transport device 2 of the waste treatment system 1 according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in Figure 4, the waste treatment system 1 includes a downstream transport device 30, a switching device (control device 80), a third conveyor 32, and a storage tank 34.

[0042] The downstream conveying device 30 conveys the waste W supplied from the conveying device 2. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the downstream conveying device 30 includes a conveying belt 36, a rotatable drum 38, and a motor 40 connected to the drum 38 and configured to rotate the drum 38. The conveying belt 36 is wrapped around the drum 38 so as to be able to move freely. The motor 40 rotates the drum 38, causing the conveying belt 36 to move in a circular motion. Such a conveying belt 36 receives the waste W discharged from the outlet 3b of the conveying path 3 of the conveying device 2 and moves with the waste W loaded on it.

[0043] In the third embodiment, the conveying path 31 of the downstream conveying device 30 is configured to be fire-resistant. As a specific example, a fire-resistant coating film is provided on the surface of the conveying belt 36. As another specific example, the conveying belt 36 is made of a sponge-like material and is pre-soaked with water.

[0044] The control device 80 switches the transport direction of the downstream transport device 30 to either the forward direction D1 or the reverse direction D2. In the third embodiment, the control device 80 is electrically connected to the motor 40, and by instructing the motor 40 on the direction of rotation, the motor 40 and the drum 38 rotate in the same direction as the rotation, and the transport belt 36 moves in either the forward direction D1 or the reverse direction D2. In the diagram of Figure 4, the circumferential movement of the transport belt 36 rotating to the right (clockwise) is defined as the forward direction D1, and the circumferential movement of the transport belt 36 rotating to the left (counterclockwise) is defined as the reverse direction D2. When the waste W is transported in the forward direction D1 by the downstream transport device 30, the waste W is transported to the third conveyor 32. When the waste W is transported in the reverse direction D2 by the downstream transport device 30, the waste W is transported to the storage tank 34.

[0045] The third conveyor 32 transports the waste W supplied from the downstream transport device 30 to the secondary crusher 56. The third conveyor 32 includes a distribution path 33 through which the waste W transported in the forward direction D1 by the downstream transport device 30 flows in the waste treatment system 1.

[0046] The storage tank 34 stores the waste W that has been transported in the reverse direction D2 by the downstream transport device 30. Cooling water Y is pre-stored in the storage tank 34. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the waste treatment system 1 further includes a storage tank cover member 42 provided above the storage tank 34, and a storage tank gas detection device 44 that detects the concentration of storage tank gas contained in the internal space 43 of the storage tank cover member 42.

[0047] The storage tank cover member 42 includes a wall 42a and a ceiling 42b. The internal space 43 is formed by being enclosed by the wall 42a and the ceiling 42b and faces the surface of the cooling water Y stored in the storage tank 34. The ceiling 42b has holes 46 for allowing waste W supplied from the downstream conveying device 30 to pass through. The storage tank gas detection device 44 detects the concentration of storage tank gas generated by the combustion of waste W in the storage tank 34. In the third embodiment, the storage tank gas detection device 44 detects the concentration of carbon dioxide in the internal space 43. This storage tank gas detection device 44 is electrically connected to a control device 80 and transmits the detected value to the control device 80. In some embodiments, the storage tank cover member 42 is integrally configured with the storage tank 34.

[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the waste treatment system 1 further includes a discharge line 48 connecting the storage tank 34 and the third conveyor 32, and a discharge valve 49 provided in the discharge line 48. When the discharge valve 49 is opened, the stored material (i.e., waste W) in the storage tank 34 is supplied to the distribution path 33 of the third conveyor 32. The discharge valve 49 is a solenoid valve electrically connected to the control device 80, and is opened or closed according to instructions transmitted from the control device 80.

[0049] Furthermore, the configuration for supplying the waste W in the storage tank 34 to the distribution path 33 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Figure 4. For example, in some embodiments, the waste treatment system 1 includes an extrusion device that pushes the waste W in the discharge line 48 toward the distribution path 33. In some embodiments, the discharge line 48 includes a movable floor that moves toward the distribution path 33. In this case, the movable floor of the discharge line 48 may rise as it approaches the distribution path 33 and include a non-submerged portion that is higher than the water level of the cooling water Y in the storage tank 34. Such a configuration can suppress the outflow of the cooling water Y in the storage tank 34 into the distribution path 33.

[0050] The operation of the waste treatment system 1 according to the third embodiment will now be described. In the third embodiment, when the concentration of carbon dioxide detected by the gas detection device 24 exceeds a set concentration, the control device 80 instructs the motor 40 on the direction of rotation and switches the transport direction of the downstream transport device 30 to the reverse direction D2.

[0051] The time it takes for the waste W to be transported from the inlet 3a to the outlet 3b of the transport path 3 of the transport device 2 is defined as the transport time t. In the third embodiment, after the transport time t has elapsed since the control device 80 switched the transport direction of the downstream transport device 30 to the reverse direction D2, it instructs the motor 40 to rotate in a specific direction, and switches the transport direction of the downstream transport device 30 to the forward direction D1.

[0052] In the third embodiment, the control device 80 instructs the discharge valve 49 to open when the increase in carbon dioxide concentration, calculated based on the carbon dioxide concentration detected by the storage tank gas detection device 44, falls below a preset increase. When the discharge valve 49 is opened, the waste W stored in the storage tank 34 flows through the discharge line 48 and is discharged into the distribution path 33. However, this disclosure does not limit the destination of the waste W stored in the storage tank 34 to the distribution path 33.

[0053] (Effects / Actions) The operation and effects of the waste treatment system 1 according to the third embodiment will now be described. According to the third embodiment, if the detected value (carbon dioxide concentration) of the gas detection device 24 exceeds the set concentration (i.e., if there is a risk that the waste W is burning), the waste W supplied from the conveying device 2 will be transported to the storage tank 34. The waste W transported to the storage tank 34 is cooled by the cooling water Y, which suppresses the burning of the waste W. This prevents the waste W that is likely to burn from being transported to the secondary crusher 56.

[0054] According to the third embodiment, since the downstream conveying device 30 is fire-resistant, damage to the downstream conveying device 30 by burning waste W can be suppressed.

[0055] When the gas detection value of the gas detection device 24 exceeds the set concentration, the waste W supplied from the conveyor 2 to the downstream conveyor 30 from the time the control device 80 switches the conveying direction of the downstream conveyor 30 to the reverse direction D2 until the conveying time t has elapsed may be incinerated. According to the third embodiment, the waste W that may be incinerated can be moved to the storage tank 34, and the waste W supplied to the downstream conveyor 30 after the waste W that has been moved (i.e., waste W that is not likely to be incinerated) can be conveyed to the third conveyor 32.

[0056] According to the third embodiment, when the increase in the carbon dioxide concentration in the internal space 43 of the storage tank cover member 42 falls below a set increase, the waste W stored in the storage tank 34 is discharged into the distribution path 33. Therefore, since the waste W stored in the storage tank 34 is discharged into the distribution path 33 only after it has not been burned, the possibility of a fire caused by this waste W can be reduced. In addition, by discharging the waste W into the distribution path 33, the reduction in the amount of waste W processed by the secondary crusher 56 can be suppressed.

[0057] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0058] [1] The waste treatment system (1) relating to this disclosure is The system includes a conveying device (2) that conveys waste (W) from the entrance (3a) to the exit (3b) of the conveying path (3), The conveying device includes a submerged section (6) in which the waste is submerged in liquid (X) in at least a portion of the conveying path of the conveying device.

[0059] According to the configuration described in [1] above, the conveying device includes a submerged section in at least part of the conveying path, so that the waste is transported while submerged in liquid. Therefore, even if a source of fire is present in the waste supplied to the conveying device, the source of fire can be quickly extinguished, reducing the possibility of a fire occurring.

[0060] [2] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [1] above, The system further includes a deformation device (54) that deforms the waste to produce a deformed material (roughly crushed waste W) and supplies the deformed material to the submerged section of the conveying device.

[0061] According to the configuration described in [2] above, deforming the waste before submerging it in the liquid promotes the penetration of the liquid into the waste and reduces the possibility of fire.

[0062] [3] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [1] or [2] above, The aforementioned waste includes lithium-ion batteries.

[0063] Lithium-ion batteries accidentally mixed into waste account for a very large proportion of the causes of fire. The configuration described in [3] above can reduce the likelihood of fire even in waste containing lithium-ion batteries.

[0064] [4] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [3] above, The aforementioned liquid includes an aqueous solution with a higher conductivity than water.

[0065] According to the configuration described in [4] above, when targeting an ignition source that is airtight and made of a metal with a high ionization tendency, the airtightness can be quickly broken by submerging the waste in the aqueous solution. This promotes the penetration of the aqueous solution into the waste W, and enhances the effect of suppressing the ignition of the ignition source compared to water.

[0066] [5] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [4] above, The submerged section includes a first path (12) which is part of the transport path of the transport device, and a second path (14) which is part of the transport path of the transport device, separate from the first path, and located downstream of the first path. The first path is configured to transport the waste along a direction opposite to the direction in which the second path transports the waste, The first and second paths are offset from each other in the vertical direction (D).

[0067] According to the configuration described in [5] above, the first and second paths are offset from each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, the area of ​​the submerged section can be lengthened while suppressing the expansion of the submerged section in the horizontal direction. Thus, the time that waste travels through the submerged section can be increased, reducing the possibility of fire.

[0068] [6] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [1] to [5] above, A cover member (20) provided above the submerged portion, The system further includes a gas detection device (24) for detecting the concentration of gas in the internal space (22) of the cover member.

[0069] Even if waste is submerged in liquid, it may still burn due to ignition sources contained within the waste. When waste burns, combustion gases containing, for example, carbon dioxide are produced. According to the configuration described in [6] above, it is possible to determine whether or not the waste being transported by the conveying device is burning.

[0070] [7] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [6] above, The aforementioned gas contains carbon dioxide.

[0071] According to the configuration described in [7] above, it is possible to determine whether or not waste is burning by monitoring the concentration of carbon dioxide.

[0072] [8] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [6] or [7] above, The system further includes a ventilation device (26) for ventilating the internal space of the cover member, The ventilation device is configured to start when the concentration of the gas detected by the gas detection device exceeds a preset concentration, and to stop when it falls below a recovery concentration lower than the preset concentration.

[0073] According to the configuration described in [8] above, even if the internal space of the cover member changes due to the combustion of waste, the ventilation device is activated when the detected value of the gas detection device exceeds the set concentration until it falls below the recovery concentration, thereby returning the internal space of the cover member to the state it was in before the waste was combusted.

[0074] [9] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [6] to [8] above, A downstream conveying device (30) that conveys the waste supplied from the conveying device, A switching device (80) that switches the transport direction of the downstream transport device to the forward direction (D1) or the reverse direction (D2), The system further comprises a storage tank (34) for storing the waste that has been transported in the reverse direction by the downstream transport device, The switching device is configured to switch the transport direction to the reverse direction when the concentration of the gas detected by the gas detection device exceeds a preset concentration.

[0075] According to the configuration described in [9] above, if the detected value of the gas detection device exceeds the set concentration (i.e., if there is a risk that the waste is burning), the waste supplied from the conveying device will be transported to the storage tank, thereby preventing waste that may be burning from being transported to the next process.

[0076]

[10] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [9] above, Cooling water (Y) is pre-stored in the aforementioned storage tank.

[0077] According to the configuration described in

[10] above, the waste transported to the storage tank can be cooled and the combustion of the waste can be suppressed.

[0078]

[11] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in [9] or

[10] above, The transport path (31) of the downstream transport device is configured to be fire-resistant.

[0079] According to the configuration described in

[11] above, damage to the downstream conveying device by burning waste can be suppressed.

[0080]

[12] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [9] to

[11] above, If the time it takes for the waste to be transported from the entrance to the exit of the transport path of the transport device is defined as the transport time (t), The switching device is configured to switch the transport direction back to the forward direction after the transport time has elapsed since the transport direction was switched to the reverse direction.

[0081] When the gas detection device detects a value exceeding the set concentration, there is a risk that waste supplied from the conveying device to the downstream conveying device may be burned between the time the switching device switches the conveying direction to the reverse and the time elapsed since then. According to the configuration described in

[12] above, waste that may be burned can be transported to the storage tank, and waste supplied to the downstream conveying device after this waste (i.e., waste that is not likely to be burned) can be transported along the normal conveying path of the downstream conveying device.

[0082]

[13] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in any one of [9] to

[12] above, A storage tank cover member (42) is provided above the aforementioned storage tank, The system further comprises a storage tank gas detection device (44) for detecting the concentration of storage tank gas contained in the internal space (43) of the storage tank cover member, The storage tank is configured to discharge the waste stored in it when the increase in the concentration of the storage tank gas, calculated based on the concentration of the storage tank gas detected by the storage tank gas detection device, falls below a preset increase amount.

[0083] According to the configuration described in

[13] above, the waste stored in the storage tank is discharged only after it has become unburned, thus reducing the possibility of fire caused by this waste.

[0084]

[14] In some embodiments, in the configuration described in

[13] above, In the waste treatment system described above, if the path through which the waste transported in the forward direction by the downstream transport device flows is defined as the distribution path (33), The storage tank is configured to discharge the waste stored in the storage tank into the distribution route.

[0085] According to the configuration described in

[14] above, when the waste stored in the storage tank is no longer incinerated, it is discharged into the distribution route, thereby suppressing the reduction in the amount of waste to be processed in the next process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Waste disposal system 2. Conveying device 3. Conveyor path of the conveying device 3a entrance 3b exit 6. Submerged area 12. First Route 14. Second Route 20 Cover component 22 Internal space of cover member 24 Gas detection device 26 Ventilation system 30 Downstream conveying device 31. Conveying path of the downstream conveying device 32 Third Conveyor 33 Distribution Channels 34 Storage tank 42 Storage tank cover member 43 Internal space of storage tank cover member 44 Storage tank gas detection device 54 Primary crusher (deformation device) 80 Control device (switching device) D Vertical direction D1 Forward D2 Reverse direction W Waste X liquid Y Cooling water t transport time

Claims

1. A waste treatment system equipped with a conveying device that transports waste from the entrance to the exit of a transport route, The conveying device includes a submersion section in at least a portion of the conveying path of the conveying device for submerging the waste in a liquid, The submerged section includes a pool in which the liquid is stored, configured such that at least the entrance of the transport path is submerged in the liquid. The aforementioned waste treatment system is The device further comprises a deformation device configured to deform the waste to generate a deformed object, and to drop the deformed object directly into the entrance of the transport path located within the pool. Waste disposal system.

2. The aforementioned waste includes lithium-ion batteries, The waste treatment system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned liquid includes an aqueous solution with a higher conductivity than water. The waste treatment system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The submerged section includes a first path which is part of the transport path of the transport device, and a second path which is part of the transport path of the transport device, separate from the first path, and located downstream of the first path. The first path is configured to transport the waste along a direction opposite to the direction in which the second path transports the waste, The first path and the second path are offset from each other in the vertical direction. The waste treatment system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A cover member provided above the submerged portion, The system further comprises a gas detection device for detecting the concentration of gas in the internal space of the cover member. The waste treatment system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The aforementioned gas contains carbon dioxide, The waste treatment system according to claim 5.

7. The system further includes a ventilation device for ventilating the internal space of the cover member, The ventilation device is configured to operate when the concentration of the gas detected by the gas detection device exceeds a preset concentration, and to stop when it falls below a recovery concentration lower than the preset concentration. The waste treatment system according to claim 5.

8. A downstream conveying device that conveys the waste supplied from the conveying device, A switching device for switching the conveying direction of the downstream conveying device to forward or reverse, The system further comprises a storage tank for storing the waste transported in the reverse direction by the downstream transport device, The switching device is configured to switch the transport direction to the reverse direction when the concentration of the gas detected by the gas detection device exceeds a preset concentration. The waste treatment system according to claim 5.

9. The aforementioned storage tank already contains cooling water. The waste treatment system according to claim 8.

10. The transport path of the downstream transport device is configured to be fire-resistant. The waste treatment system according to claim 8.

11. If the time it takes for the waste to be transported from the entrance to the exit of the transport path of the transport device is defined as the transport time, The switching device is configured to switch the transport direction back to the forward direction after the transport time has elapsed since the transport direction was switched to the reverse direction. The waste treatment system according to claim 8.

12. A storage tank cover member provided above the aforementioned storage tank, The system further comprises a storage tank gas detection device for detecting the concentration of storage tank gas contained in the internal space of the storage tank cover member, The storage tank is configured to discharge the waste stored in it when the increase in the concentration of the storage tank gas, calculated based on the concentration of the storage tank gas detected by the storage tank gas detection device, falls below a preset increase amount. The waste treatment system according to claim 8.

13. In the waste treatment system described above, if the path through which the waste transported in the forward direction by the downstream transport device flows is defined as the distribution path, The storage tank is configured to discharge the waste stored in the storage tank into the distribution route. The waste treatment system according to claim 12.

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