Gas meter recycling system

Abstract

This invention provides a gas meter manufacturing method, a gas meter recycling method, and a gas meter recycling system that enable horizontal recycling of aluminum materials and ensure sufficient traceability in the recycling process. [Solution] The method for manufacturing gas meters involves collecting discarded gas meters from gas companies, disassembling them to separate them into aluminum material and other components, delivering the separated aluminum material to a pre-designated business operator as a resource, melting the aluminum material delivered to the business operator to form molten aluminum, forming aluminum ingots from this molten aluminum, using these to manufacture meter parts, and then using these meter parts to manufacture gas meters. The rubber and plastic materials among the separated other components are used in the production of fluidized soil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a gas meter, a method for recycling a gas meter, a method for manufacturing fluidized treatment soil, and a gas meter recycling system, and is particularly suitable for recycling waste gas meters to manufacture gas meters or fluidized treatment soil.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, gas meters were replaced before the expiration of a defined inspection validity period, the removed gas meters were collected, and after replacing consumable parts and re-inspecting, they were generally used for a predetermined number of cycles (for example, 3 cycles). And although gas meters used for a predetermined number of cycles were previously disposed of as waste, against the background that the law regarding the promotion of effective use of resources was implemented in April 2001, recently, for the promotion of a recycling-oriented society, the recycling of gas meters has been under consideration (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] While few specific methods for recycling gas meters have been proposed, the following technology is known (Patent Document 1). Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes a rough dismantling process in which a metal twister is used to break the outer casing of the raw material at a knocking speed corresponding to the size of the material, based on data from an image recognition sensor, and then a chain crusher is used to separate the casing from the substrate; a first magnetic separation process performed after this process, in which a magnet is used to separate the iron; an X-ray optical separation process performed after this process, in which aluminum is separated; a crushing process performed after this process, in which the raw material is crushed into granules; and a second magnetic separation process performed after this process, in which a magnet is used to separate the iron. A metal recovery method is described, comprising: a stainless steel sorting step performed after the above step, in which stainless steel detected by an electromagnetic induction sensor is sorted by blowing it away with air; a waste plastic removal step performed after this step, in which metals and nonmetals are separated by eddy currents and nonmetals are removed; a copper sorting step performed after this step, in which copper is sorted from the metals sorted by eddy currents; and a brass sorting step performed after this step, in which brass is sorted from the metals other than copper obtained in the copper sorting step. A gas meter is described as one of the objects from which metals are recovered. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7429481 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] [Searched on February 27, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.tokyo-gas.co.jp / sustainability / activities / circular.html> [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, regarding the recycling of waste gas meters, there has been no concrete study on the materials that can be recycled, the recycling rate of those materials, or the traceability of the recycling process.

[0007] Therefore, the problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a gas meter manufacturing method, a gas meter recycling method, and a gas meter recycling system that enable horizontal recycling of aluminum material, enable cascade recycling of other components constituting the waste gas meter, and have sufficiently high traceability in the resource recovery process.

[0008] Another problem this invention aims to solve is to provide a gas meter recycling method that enables cascading recycling of rubber and plastic materials contained in discarded gas meters and also provides sufficiently high traceability in the recycling process.

[0009] Another problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a method for producing fluidized soil that enables cascade recycling of rubber and plastic materials contained in waste gas meters and also has sufficiently high traceability in the recycling process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, this invention provides: The process of collecting discarded gas meters from gas companies or meter manufacturers, The above waste gas meter is disassembled and separated into aluminum material and other components, The process of handing over the separated aluminum material to a pre-designated business operator as a resource, A process of forming an aluminum molten liquid by melting the aluminum material delivered to the above business operator, The process of forming an aluminum ingot from the above-mentioned molten aluminum, The process of manufacturing meter components using the above-mentioned aluminum ingot, The process of manufacturing a gas meter using the above meter components, It has, moreover, The process of handing over the rubber and plastic materials among the separated other components to other businesses designated in advance as resources, A process of forming crushed incinerated ash by mixing crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating the above-mentioned rubber material and plastic material delivered to the above-mentioned other business operator with crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating combustible general waste and industrial waste, The process of calcining the above-mentioned crushed and incinerated ash, A process to produce fluidized soil by adding water, cement, recycled soil, and a stabilizer to the crushed incinerated ash that has undergone the above-mentioned calcination treatment, This is a method for manufacturing a gas meter having [a specific feature / feature].

[0011] In this gas meter manufacturing method, by separating the waste gas meter into aluminum material and other components, the aluminum material, which accounts for the largest weight proportion of the waste gas meter, can be recycled, and ultimately gas meter components can be manufactured using these components, thus achieving horizontal recycling. Meter components include the casing and various other parts. The other components of the waste gas meter can be further separated into iron material, plastic material, copper material, circuit board, rubber material, battery, etc., which can significantly improve the material recycling rate of the waste gas meter. Disassembly and separation of waste gas meters are typically carried out by manual labor and / or crushing and separation using advanced machinery. By carrying out disassembly and separation by manual labor and / or crushing and separation using advanced machinery, an extremely high material recycling rate, for example, reaching approximately 98% by weight, can be achieved. Of the separated aluminum, iron, plastic, copper, substrates, rubber, and batteries, the rubber and plastic materials are handed over to a different business than the one to which the aluminum is handed over. However, materials other than aluminum, rubber, and plastic may be handed over to different businesses that perform recycling, or to the same business. Since the separated aluminum, iron, plastic, copper, substrates, rubber, and batteries are handed over to pre-designated businesses, the traceability of the recycling process is sufficiently high. The businesses that perform recycling are typically located in Japan. Of the separated aluminum, iron, plastic, copper, substrates, rubber, and batteries, materials other than aluminum, rubber, and plastic can be recycled for use in the manufacture of various devices, including gas meters, and for other purposes, thereby realizing cascade recycling. In a method for producing fluidized soil using separated rubber and plastic materials, the incineration conditions for the rubber and plastic materials, as well as the incineration conditions for combustible general waste and industrial waste, are selected as needed, but the incineration temperature is generally 900 to 1100°C.Incineration ash from rubber and plastic materials can be pulverized, and similarly, incineration ash from combustible general and industrial waste can be pulverized. By mixing these pulverized ashes, a uniform pulverized incineration ash consisting of these two types of pulverized ash can be obtained. The conditions for the firing treatment of the pulverized incineration ash are selected as needed, but the firing temperature is generally 900-1100°C. By producing fluidized soil using rubber and plastic materials separated from waste gas meters, the rubber and plastic materials can be recycled, realizing cascade recycling. The fluidized soil thus produced can be used for various conventionally known applications.

[0012] Furthermore, this invention, The process of collecting discarded gas meters from gas companies or meter manufacturers, The above-mentioned waste gas meter is disassembled and the rubber and plastic materials are separated. The process of handing over the separated rubber material and plastic material to a pre-designated business operator as resources, A process of forming crushed incinerated ash by mixing crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating the above rubber material and the above plastic material delivered to the above business operator with crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating combustible general waste and industrial waste, The process of calcining the above-mentioned crushed and incinerated ash, A process to produce fluidized soil by adding water, cement, recycled soil, and a stabilizer to the crushed incinerated ash that has undergone the above-mentioned calcination treatment, This is a method for recycling gas meters that have [a certain feature / feature].

[0013] In this invention, the explanation described above in relation to the invention of the method for manufacturing a gas meter is valid.

[0014] Furthermore, this invention, The process of collecting discarded gas meters from gas companies or meter manufacturers, A step of disassembling the waste gas meter to separate rubber materials and plastic materials; A step of delivering the separated rubber materials and plastic materials as resources to a pre-designated operator; A step of mixing the pulverized incineration ash generated by incinerating the rubber materials and plastic materials delivered to the operator with the pulverized incineration ash generated by incinerating combustible general waste and industrial waste to form pulverized incineration ash; A step of performing a firing process on the pulverized incineration ash; A step of adding water, cement, recycled soil, and a stabilizer to the pulverized incineration ash after the firing process to produce fluidized treatment soil; It is a method for producing fluidized treatment soil having the above.

[0015] In this invention, what has been described in relation to the invention of the above method for manufacturing a gas meter holds true.

[0016] Also, this invention A first operator designated in advance accepts a waste gas meter from a gas operator or a meter manufacturer, Sort the waste gas meters by type, Remove the battery from the sorted waste gas meters, Read the identification label attached to the waste gas meter from which the battery has been removed, Read the identification label attached to the container used for transporting the waste gas meter, Place the waste gas meter on the container, When the container is full of the waste gas meter, perform shipping preparation, Read the identification label attached to the container when it is full of the waste gas meter, Load the container full of the waste gas meter onto a transport vehicle and ship it to a second operator designated in advance, The second operator accepts the waste gas meter, Perform acceptance registration of the accepted waste gas meter, The above-mentioned waste gas meter, which has been registered for acceptance as described above, is disassembled and separated into aluminum material and other components. The sorted aluminum material described above is registered for shipment. The above-mentioned aluminum material, for which the above shipment registration has been completed, is shipped as a resource to a third-party business operator designated in advance. The third business operator mentioned above accepts the aluminum material, The above-mentioned accepted aluminum material will be registered for acceptance. Using the above-mentioned aluminum material that has been registered for acceptance, an aluminum ingot is formed. We will register the shipment of the above aluminum ingot. The above aluminum ingots are shipped to a pre-designated fourth business operator. The fourth business operator mentioned above accepts the aluminum ingots. The above-mentioned aluminum ingots have been received and registered as accepted. Meter components are manufactured using the above aluminum ingot. This is a gas meter recycling method in which the above-mentioned meter components are shipped to a pre-designated meter manufacturer.

[0017] In this gas meter recycling method, the first, second, third, and fourth businesses are recycling businesses, typically located in Japan, and all are pre-designated businesses, ensuring a sufficiently high level of traceability in the recycling process. The method for forming aluminum ingots from aluminum material is the same as in the invention of the gas meter manufacturing method described above. The identification mark is not particularly limited and can be selected as needed, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or other mark. The container on which the waste gas meter is placed is not particularly limited and can be selected as needed, and can have wheels such as casters, for example, a trailer container or a cage cart. The transport vehicle that carries the container filled with waste gas meters is not particularly limited and can be selected as needed, for example, a truck. The rubber and plastic materials among the other separated components can ultimately be used in the production of fluidized soil. In this case, the gas meter recycling method involves shipping the rubber and plastic materials, which are among the separated other components, as resources to a pre-designated fifth business operator. The fifth business operator accepts the rubber and plastic materials, registers their acceptance, and mixes the resulting incineration ash with crushed incineration ash generated from the incineration of combustible general waste and industrial waste to form crushed incineration ash. This crushed incineration ash is then subjected to calcination treatment, and water, cement, recycled soil, and stabilizers are added to the calcined crushed incineration ash to produce fluidized soil. The fifth business operator is a recycling business operator, similar to the first, second, third, and fourth businesses, and is typically a business operator located in Japan. Everything else is as described in relation to the invention of the gas meter manufacturing method and the gas meter recycling method.

[0018] Furthermore, this invention, A server connected to a communication network, The system includes a first computer, a second computer, a third computer, and a fourth computer, each provided to a pre-designated first, second, third, and fourth business operator involved in recycling, and connected to the above-mentioned communication network. The first business operator receives discarded gas meters from a gas company or meter manufacturer, sorts them by type, and stores the information obtained by reading the identification labels attached to the discarded gas meters from the first computer via the communication network on the server. The information obtained by reading the identification mark attached to the container used for transporting the above waste gas meter is stored in the server via the communication network from the first computer. The information obtained by reading the identification label attached to the container, which has been loaded with the above-mentioned waste gas meters and is ready for shipment to the second business operator, is stored in the server via the communication network from the first computer. The second business operator receives the waste gas meter from the first business operator and registers the acceptance using the second computer, and stores the acceptance registration information on the server via the communication network. The second business operator disassembles the waste gas meter that has been registered for acceptance, separating it into aluminum material and other components, registers the shipment of the separated aluminum material to the third business operator using the second computer, and stores the shipment registration information on the server via the communication network. The third business operator receives the aluminum material from the second business operator, and the third computer registers the receipt of the aluminum material, and stores the receipt registration information on the server via the communication network. The third business operator uses the above-mentioned third computer to register the shipment of aluminum ingots formed using the above-mentioned aluminum material to the above-mentioned fourth business operator, and stores the shipment registration information on the above-mentioned server via the above-mentioned communication network. This is a gas meter recycling system configured such that the fourth business operator receives the aluminum ingots from the third business operator, and the fourth computer registers the receipt of the aluminum ingots, and stores the receipt registration information on the server via the communication network.

[0019] This gas meter recycling system may be configured to include, for example, a fifth computer provided to a pre-designated fifth business operator involved in the recycling process, further connected to a communication network, where the second computer registers shipments of all or part of the separated other components to the fifth business operator, storing the shipment registration information on a server via the communication network, and the fifth computer registers the acceptance of all or part of the other components received by the fifth business operator from the second business operator, storing the acceptance registration information on a server via the communication network. All or part of the other components can be cascaded for recycling. Alternatively, the gas meter recycling system may be configured to further include a fifth computer connected to a communication network and provided to a pre-designated fifth business operator involved in the recycling process, the second computer registers the shipment of rubber and plastic materials from the separated other components to the fifth business operator, and stores the shipment registration information on a server via the communication network; the fifth computer registers the receipt of rubber and plastic materials received by the fifth business operator from the second business operator, and stores the receipt registration information on a server via the communication network; the fifth business operator mixes crushed incineration ash generated from the incineration of rubber and plastic materials with crushed incineration ash generated from the incineration of combustible general waste and industrial waste to form crushed incineration ash; the crushed incineration ash is calcined; and the fifth computer registers the receipt of fluidized soil produced by adding water, cement, recycled soil and stabilizers to the calcined crushed incineration ash, and stores the receipt registration information on a server via the communication network. In this invention of a gas meter recycling system, the provisions described above in relation to the invention of a gas meter recycling method are valid, unless they are particularly contrary to the nature of the system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to this invention, it is possible to achieve horizontal recycling of aluminum material contained in waste gas meters, cascade recycling of other components constituting waste gas meters, and to realize a gas meter manufacturing method, gas meter recycling method, and gas meter recycling system with sufficiently high traceability in the resource recovery process. In particular, it is possible to achieve cascade recycling of rubber and plastic materials contained in waste gas meters, and to realize a gas meter recycling method and a gas meter recycling method and a fluidized soil manufacturing method with sufficiently high traceability in the resource recovery process. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a waste gas meter that is subject to recycling in the manufacturing method of a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 3] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of aluminum material separated by disassembling a waste gas meter in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 4] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of iron material separated by disassembling a waste gas meter in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 5] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a mixed material of metal and plastic materials separated by disassembling a waste gas meter in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 6] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a circuit board separated after disassembling a waste gas meter in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 7]This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of batteries separated by disassembling a waste gas meter in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 8] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a diaphragm separated by disassembling a waste gas meter in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 9] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of crushed aluminum material in the manufacturing method of a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 10] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a refining furnace used for refining crushed aluminum material in the manufacturing method of a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 11] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a melting furnace used for melting crushed aluminum material in the manufacturing method of a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 12] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a processing furnace used for sedating molten aluminum in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 13] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of an aluminum ingot formed by casting using molten aluminum in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 14] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a meter upper case formed using an aluminum ingot in a method for manufacturing a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 15] This is a photograph in lieu of a drawing showing an example of a newly manufactured gas meter using a meter upper case as an example of a meter component formed using an aluminum ingot in the manufacturing method of a gas meter according to the first embodiment of this invention. [Figure 16] This is a flowchart showing a method for recycling a gas meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17]This is a flowchart showing a gas meter recycling method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a flowchart showing a gas meter recycling method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a gas meter recycling system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This is a flowchart showing the processing flow of a gas meter recycling system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the invention.

[0023] <First Embodiment> [Gas meter manufacturing method] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing method of this gas meter.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, in process S1, the waste gas meters are collected from the gas company or meter manufacturer. The collection is carried out by a company that recycles the waste gas meters and manufactures new gas meters, or a company designated by such company. Specifically, the collection of waste gas meters involves, for example, a truck going to a storage location for waste gas meters designated by the gas company to load the waste gas meters, transporting them to a facility designated by the company that manufactures new gas meters or a company designated by such company, and then transporting them to a place where the waste gas meters are disassembled and sorted. An example of a waste gas meter is shown in Figure 2.

[0025] In process S2, the waste gas meter is disassembled and separated into aluminum material and other components. Other components include iron material, mixed materials, substrates, batteries, and rubber materials. Typically, the batteries are removed before separation. Disassembly and separation of the waste gas meter are performed by workers manually and / or by sophisticated machinery for crushing and separation. The batteries are typically lithium batteries. The substrates are refined and separated into, for example, copper, gold, silver, and palladium. If the batteries are lithium batteries, they are crushed and separated into lithium carbonate and carbon. Examples of aluminum material, iron material, mixed materials, substrates, batteries, and rubber materials (diaphragms) are shown in Figures 3 to 8, respectively. Mixed materials mainly consist of, for example, copper, plastic material, and iron. The proportion of each of these materials—aluminum, iron, plastic, copper, circuit board, battery, and rubber—to the total weight of the waste gas meter is, for example, less than 57.0%, 35.3%, 3.7%, 0.5%, 2.0%, 0.5%, and 1.0%, respectively. When these are recycled, the material recycling rate by weight is approximately 99% or more.

[0026] In process S3, the aluminum material separated in process S2 is handed over as a resource to a pre-designated business operator. This handover is for a fee. In other words, the business operator purchases it as a resource. The business operator is a Japanese company.

[0027] In process S4, the aluminum material handed over to the business operator in process S3 is melted to form an aluminum melt. Typically, the aluminum melt is formed through crushing, refining (processing to increase purity), melting, degassing, and sedation (processing to separate suspended oxides, impurities, and inclusions from the aluminum melt). An example of crushed aluminum material is shown in Figure 9. Refining is performed by feeding the crushed aluminum material into a refining furnace, for example, as shown in Figure 10. Melting and degassing are performed by feeding the refined crushed aluminum material into a melting furnace, for example, as shown in Figure 11. Sedation is performed by feeding the melted and degassed aluminum melt into a processing furnace, for example, as shown in Figure 12.

[0028] In step S5, an aluminum ingot is formed from the aluminum molten metal formed in step S4. Typically, the aluminum molten metal formed in step S4 is analyzed to determine whether it contains predetermined components. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether it contains components specified in JIS AD-12. If it is determined that the aluminum molten metal contains the predetermined components, an aluminum ingot is formed from the aluminum molten metal. If it is determined that the aluminum molten metal does not contain the predetermined components, the aluminum molten metal is processed until it is determined that it contains the predetermined components. If it is determined that the aluminum molten metal does not contain the predetermined components, for example, one or more components may be added to the aluminum molten metal. If, as a result of this process, it is determined that the aluminum molten metal contains the predetermined components, an aluminum ingot is formed from the aluminum molten metal. The formation of the aluminum ingot is carried out by introducing the aluminum molten metal into a casting line and performing casting. An example of the aluminum ingot formed in this way is shown in Figure 13.

[0029] In process S6, meter components are manufactured using the aluminum ingot formed in process S5. The meter components are manufactured by feeding the aluminum ingot into a die-casting machine. Figure 14 shows an example of a meter upper case manufactured in this way.

[0030] In process S7, a gas meter is manufactured using the meter components produced in process S6. Newly procured parts, circuit boards, and materials other than the meter components necessary for manufacturing the gas meter are used. An example of a gas meter manufactured in this way is shown in Figure 15.

[0031] Meanwhile, in process S8, the rubber and plastic materials among the other separated components are handed over to other businesses designated in advance as resources.

[0032] In process S9, crushed incinerated ash is formed by mixing crushed incinerated ash generated from the incineration of rubber and plastic materials thus handed over to other businesses with crushed incinerated ash generated from the incineration of combustible general waste and industrial waste.

[0033] In step S10, the crushed and incinerated ash formed as described above is subjected to a calcination treatment.

[0034] In step S11, water, cement, recycled soil, and a stabilizer are added to the crushed incinerated ash that has undergone the calcination treatment as described above to produce fluidized soil.

[0035] As described above, according to this first embodiment, waste gas meters can be disassembled by manual labor and / or advanced machinery to separate them into aluminum material and other components, meter parts can be manufactured using aluminum ingots formed from the aluminum material, and gas meters can be manufactured using these meter parts, thereby achieving horizontal recycling. Furthermore, since fluidized soil is produced using rubber and plastic materials among the other components, cascade recycling can be achieved for these rubber and plastic materials. In addition, since both the separated aluminum material and the rubber and plastic materials among the other components are handed over to pre-designated businesses as resources, the traceability of the recycling process is sufficiently high.

[0036] <Second Embodiment> [How to recycle a gas meter] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the gas meter recycling method.

[0037] As shown in Figure 16, in step S31, the discarded gas meter is collected from the gas company or meter manufacturer.

[0038] In process S32, the waste gas meter is disassembled to separate the rubber and plastic materials. The disassembly and separation of the waste gas meter is carried out by workers manually and / or by crushing and separating using advanced machinery.

[0039] In process S33, the rubber and plastic materials separated in process S32 are handed over as resources to a pre-designated business operator. This handover is for a fee. In other words, the business operator purchases the resources. The business operator is a Japanese company.

[0040] In process S34, crushed incinerated ash is formed by mixing crushed incinerated ash generated from the incineration of rubber and plastic materials handed over to the business operator in process S33 with crushed incinerated ash generated from the incineration of combustible general waste and industrial waste.

[0041] In step S35, the crushed and incinerated ash formed in step S33 is subjected to a calcination treatment.

[0042] In process S36, water, cement, recycled soil, and a stabilizer are added to the crushed incinerated ash that was subjected to calcination in process S35 to produce fluidized soil.

[0043] The fluidized soil produced in this way can be used for a variety of conventionally known applications.

[0044] According to this second embodiment, since waste gas meters are disassembled by manual labor and / or advanced machinery for crushing and sorting, and the separated rubber and plastic materials are used to produce fluidized soil, cascade recycling of the rubber and plastic materials can be achieved. Furthermore, since the separated rubber and plastic materials are handed over to pre-designated businesses as resources, the traceability of the recycling process is sufficiently high.

[0045] <Third Embodiment> [Method for producing fluidized soil] The flowchart illustrating the method for producing fluidized soil according to the third embodiment is the same as the flowchart shown in Figure 16.

[0046] In this method for producing fluidized soil, as shown in Figure 16, the fluidized soil is produced through steps S31 to S36.

[0047] According to this third embodiment, the same advantages as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0048] <Fourth Embodiment> [How to recycle a gas meter] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing the processing flow for the recycling method of this gas meter.

[0049] As shown in Figure 17, in step S81, a first designated business accepts the discarded gas meter from the gas company or meter manufacturer. This first business is a recycling business and is typically a business located in Japan.

[0050] In step S82, the received waste gas meters are sorted by type. For example, they are sorted according to the type of waste gas meter (diaphragm type, ultrasonic type), model, size, etc.

[0051] In step S83, the battery is removed from the sorted waste gas meter. The battery is removed, for example, by a worker manually.

[0052] In step S84, the identification mark attached to the waste gas meter from which the battery has been removed is read. The identification mark is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). This allows for verification and tracking of the waste gas meter's history.

[0053] In step S85, the identification mark attached to the container used to transport the waste gas meter is read. This allows for tracking of the trolley. The container may be, for example, a trailer container or a trolley.

[0054] In step S86, a waste gas meter is placed on the container.

[0055] In step S87, once the container is filled with waste gas meters, prepare it for shipment.

[0056] In step S88, the identification mark attached to the container, which is loaded with waste gas meters until full, is read. This allows for tracking of the cart destined for shipment.

[0057] In step S89, the container, filled to capacity with waste gas meters, is loaded onto a transport vehicle and shipped to a pre-designated second business operator. This second business operator is a recycling business operator, typically located in Japan.

[0058] In step S90, the second operator accepts the waste gas meter.

[0059] In step S91, the accepted waste gas meter is registered.

[0060] As shown in Figure 18, in step S92, the waste gas meter that has been registered for acceptance is disassembled and separated into aluminum material and other components. The separation is performed, for example, by hand. The other components separated in step S92 will be described later.

[0061] In step S93, the sorted aluminum material is registered for shipment.

[0062] In step S94, the aluminum material registered for shipment is shipped as a resource to a pre-designated third-party business. This third-party business is a recycling business and is typically located in Japan.

[0063] In step S95, a third operator accepts the aluminum material.

[0064] In step S96, the accepted aluminum material is registered.

[0065] In step S97, an aluminum ingot is formed using the accepted and registered aluminum material. The formation of the aluminum ingot can be carried out in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0066] In step S98, the shipment registration for the aluminum ingot is performed.

[0067] In step S99, the aluminum ingot is shipped to a pre-designated fourth business operator. This fourth business operator is a recycling business operator, typically located in Japan.

[0068] In step S100, the fourth operator receives the aluminum ingot.

[0069] In step S101, the received aluminum ingot is registered.

[0070] In step S102, meter components are manufactured using an aluminum ingot.

[0071] In step S103, the meter components are shipped to a pre-designated meter manufacturer. The meter manufacturer uses these meter components to manufacture a new gas meter.

[0072] On the other hand, the other components separated in step S92 are subject to cascade recycling as follows:

[0073] In step S104, the rubber and plastic materials among the separated components are shipped as resources to a fifth designated business operator. The fifth business operator is a recycling business operator, typically located in Japan. The components other than the rubber and plastic materials among the separated components are shipped separately as resources to a sixth designated business operator, and are subject to cascade recycling. The sixth business operator is a recycling business operator, typically located in Japan. The sixth business operator may be the same as the fifth business operator.

[0074] In step S105, the fifth operator accepts the rubber and plastic materials.

[0075] In step S106, the accepted rubber and plastic materials are registered.

[0076] In step S107, crushed incinerated ash is formed by mixing crushed incinerated ash generated from the incineration of rubber and plastic materials that were registered for acceptance in step S106 with crushed incinerated ash generated from the incineration of combustible general waste and industrial waste.

[0077] In step S108, the crushed and incinerated ash formed in step S107 is subjected to a calcination treatment.

[0078] In step S109, water, cement, recycled soil, and a stabilizer are added to the crushed incinerated ash that was subjected to calcination treatment in step S108 to produce fluidized soil.

[0079] As described above, according to this fourth embodiment, horizontal recycling can be achieved by disassembling the waste gas meter through manual labor by workers and / or crushing and sorting by advanced machinery to separate the aluminum material from other components, manufacturing meter parts using aluminum ingots formed from the aluminum material, and manufacturing gas meters using these meter parts. Furthermore, since fluidized soil is produced using the rubber and plastic materials among the other components, cascade recycling can be achieved for these rubber and plastic materials. In addition, since both the separated aluminum material and the rubber and plastic materials among the other components are handed over to pre-designated businesses as resources, the traceability of the resource recovery process is sufficiently high.

[0080] <Fifth Embodiment> [Gas meter recycling system] Figure 19 shows a gas meter recycling system according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Figure 19, this gas meter recycling system has a system management server 12 that is communicably connected to a communication network 11, and computers 13 to 17 provided to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth businesses, respectively, that are involved in recycling and are connected to the communication network 11. The communication network 11 is not particularly limited, but for example, it could be a dedicated line provided by a telecommunications carrier or an open network using the TCP / IP protocol, i.e., the Internet. The computers 13 to 17 are not particularly limited and are selected as needed, but for example, they could be a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc.

[0081] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of this gas meter recycling system.

[0082] As shown in Figure 20, in this gas meter recycling system, in step S121, the first business operator receives the discarded gas meters from the gas company or meter manufacturer, sorts them by type, and stores the information obtained by reading the identification labels attached to the discarded gas meters from the computer 13 via the communication network 11 to the server 12.

[0083] Next, in step S122, the computer 13 stores the information obtained by reading the identification mark attached to the container used for transporting the waste gas meter in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0084] Next, in step S123, the computer 13 stores information obtained by reading the identification label attached to the container, which has been loaded with waste gas meters and is ready for shipment to the second business operator, in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0085] Next, in step S124, the computer 14 registers the acceptance of the waste gas meter received by the second business operator from the first business operator, and stores the acceptance registration information in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0086] Next, in step S125, the waste gas meter that the second business operator has registered for acceptance is disassembled and separated into aluminum material and other components. The computer 14 registers the separated aluminum material for shipment to the third business operator, and the shipment registration information is stored in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0087] Next, in step S126, the computer 15 registers the acceptance of the aluminum material received by the third business operator from the second business operator, and stores the acceptance registration information in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0088] Next, in step S127, the computer 15 registers the shipment of the aluminum ingot formed by the third business operator using aluminum material to the fourth business operator, and stores the shipment registration information in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0089] Next, in step S128, the fourth business operator registers the receipt of the aluminum ingots received from the third business operator using computer 16, and stores the receipt registration information in server 12 via communication network 11. The aluminum ingots are then used to manufacture gas meter components, and these gas meter components are ultimately used to manufacture gas meters.

[0090] Meanwhile, in step S129, the computer 14 registers the shipment of the rubber material and plastic material, which are among the other components separated in step S125, to a fifth business operator, and stores the shipment registration information in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0091] Next, in step S130, the fifth business operator registers the acceptance of the rubber and plastic materials received from the second business operator using the computer 17, and stores the acceptance registration information in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0092] Next, in step S131, the fifth business operator mixes crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating rubber and plastic materials with crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating combustible general waste and industrial waste to form crushed incinerated ash, performs a calcination treatment on the crushed incinerated ash, and registers the acceptance of the fluidized soil produced by adding water, cement, recycled soil and stabilizers to the calcined crushed incinerated ash using the computer 17, and stores the acceptance registration information in the server 12 via the communication network 11.

[0093] According to this fifth embodiment, the same advantages as those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

[0094] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications based on the technical idea of ​​this invention are possible.

[0095] For example, the numerical values, structures, configurations, materials, and methods mentioned in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and different numerical values, structures, configurations, materials, and methods may be used as needed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 11...Communication network, 12...Server, 13-17...Computer

Claims

[Claim 1] A server connected to a communication network, The system includes a first computer, a second computer, a third computer, a fourth computer, and a fifth computer, each provided to a pre-designated first, second, third, fourth, and fifth business operator involved in recycling, and connected to the above-mentioned communication network. The first business operator receives discarded gas meters from a gas company or meter manufacturer, sorts them by type, and stores the information obtained by reading the identification labels attached to the discarded gas meters from the first computer via the communication network on the server. The information obtained by reading the identification mark attached to the container used for transporting the above waste gas meter is stored in the server via the communication network from the first computer. The information obtained by reading the identification label attached to the container, which has been loaded with the above-mentioned waste gas meters and is ready for shipment to the second business operator, is stored in the server via the communication network from the first computer. The second business operator registers the acceptance of the waste gas meter received from the first business operator using the second computer, and stores the acceptance registration information on the server via the communication network. The second business operator disassembles the waste gas meter that has been registered for acceptance, separating it into aluminum material and other components, registers the shipment of the separated aluminum material to the third business operator using the second computer, and stores the shipment registration information on the server via the communication network. The third business operator registers the acceptance of the aluminum material received from the second business operator using the third computer, and stores the acceptance registration information on the server via the communication network. The third business operator uses the above-mentioned third computer to register the shipment of aluminum ingots formed using the above-mentioned aluminum material to the above-mentioned fourth business operator, and stores the shipment registration information on the above-mentioned server via the above-mentioned communication network. The fourth business operator receives the aluminum ingots from the third business operator, and the fourth computer registers the receipt of the aluminum ingots, and stores the receipt registration information on the server via the communication network. moreover, The second computer registers the shipment of the rubber and plastic materials among the separated other components to the fifth business operator, and stores the shipment registration information on the server via the communication network. The fifth business operator registers the acceptance of the rubber material and plastic material received from the second business operator using the fifth computer, and stores the acceptance registration information on the server via the communication network. A gas meter recycling system configured such that the fifth business operator mixes crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating the above-mentioned rubber material and plastic material with crushed incinerated ash generated by incinerating combustible general waste and industrial waste to form crushed incinerated ash, performs a calcination treatment on the crushed incinerated ash, and registers the acceptance of the fluidized soil produced by adding water, cement, recycled soil and stabilizer to the calcined crushed incinerated ash using the fifth computer, and stores the acceptance registration information on the server via the communication network.

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