System and Method for Upcycling Automotive Waste

Abstract

An automobile waste upcycling system is provided. An automobile waste upcycling system according to one embodiment includes an input unit that receives information about waste and information about an upcycling product, and an upcycling unit that crushes, washes, separates, and mixes the waste to produce an upcycling product.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automobile waste upcycling system and method for recovering recyclable resources from automobile waste with high purity and mixing them with various industrial materials to manufacture upcycling products. Background Technology

[0002] The automotive industry generates a large amount of waste globally, having a serious impact on the environment and the economy. Automotive waste includes various materials such as tires and plastics, as well as glass. Each of these wastes presents unique characteristics and disposal challenges.

[0003] Glass is an amorphous solid material manufactured by melting natural resources such as silica sand, soda ash, and limestone at high temperatures. It possesses excellent material characteristics, including transparency, durability, and chemical stability, and is widely used in various fields such as construction, automobiles, packaging materials, and household goods. Glass has the characteristic of being continuously recyclable without loss of quality when free from impurities; however, if it is discarded without being recycled, it does not naturally decompose due to its high durability, which can cause environmental problems.

[0004] In particular, when waste glass is landfilled along with other organic waste, it can indirectly contribute to the generation of greenhouse gases such as methane within the landfill environment; therefore, it is crucial to minimize landfilling itself. Furthermore, while the process of producing new glass consumes significant energy and emits carbon dioxide due to high-temperature melting, recycling waste glass allows for the regeneration of glass with much less energy, offering significant potential for reducing carbon emissions.

[0005] Automotive glass is generally manufactured using tempered or laminated glass; laminated glass is a type of glass with enhanced shock absorption achieved by inserting a polyvinyl butyral film (hereinafter PVB film) between two sheets of glass. Additionally, automotive glass may contain auxiliary elements beyond the PVB film, such as black paste to achieve the glass's color and silver paste to implement heating elements. Due to these specific characteristics, automotive waste glass is rarely recycled and is primarily disposed of as is or utilized by simply crushing the glass.

[0006] Automotive tires are composed of various materials, including rubber, fabric, and metal wire, making their disassembly and recycling complex. When landfilled, waste tires do not decompose for extended periods and can cause environmental problems, such as fire hazards and the release of hazardous substances.

[0007] Furthermore, various types of plastics are used in automobiles, contributing to vehicle weight reduction and improved fuel efficiency. However, plastic waste generated upon vehicle scrapping can be a major cause of environmental pollution. Plastics are difficult to decompose naturally, and quality degradation may occur during the recycling process.

[0008] The disposal of automotive waste presents such challenges and incurs significant costs. Furthermore, if the waste is not properly treated, it can lead to environmental pollution and have a negative impact on natural ecosystems. Therefore, recycling technologies are required to reduce environmental pollution by recycling automotive waste and thereby enhance the sustainability of the industry. Prior art literature

[0009] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1383180, published on April 2, 2014 The problem to be solved

[0010] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an automobile waste upcycling system and method that recovers recyclable resources from automobile waste with high purity and mixes them with various industrial materials to manufacture upcycling products.

[0011] The problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0012] An automobile waste upcycling system according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem includes an input unit that receives information about waste and information about an upcycling product, and an upcycling unit that crushes, washes, separates, and mixes the waste to produce an upcycling product.

[0013] The upcycling unit may include a crushing unit that crushes the waste into particles of a certain size, a washing unit that determines washing settings according to information received through the input unit and washes the crushed product according to the set washing settings, a separation unit that separates recyclable materials from the washed product, and a mixing unit that mixes the separated recyclable materials with a preset material corresponding to the received upcycling product.

[0014] The above waste is automotive waste glass, and the information regarding the waste includes information on the type of waste glass classified into laminated glass, tempered glass, and ordinary glass, and the information regarding the upcycling product includes at least one of the list of possible upcycling products, and the list of possible upcycling products may include clay mixtures, polymer mixtures, mixtures for building materials, and resin mixtures.

[0015] The above washing unit selects and uses one of a first washing water for laminated glass and a second washing water for ordinary glass, wherein the first washing water contains 5 to 8 parts by weight of an organic solvent per 100 parts by weight of water, and the second washing water may contain 2 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant and 3 to 5 parts by weight of an alcohol solvent per 100 parts by weight of water, or may contain 10 to 20 parts by weight of household ammonia water per 100 parts by weight of water.

[0016] The above cleaning unit can set the temperature of the cleaning water to 80 to 100 degrees when cleaning laminated glass, and set the temperature of the cleaning water to 30 to 50 degrees when cleaning ordinary glass and tempered glass.

[0017] The above washing unit performs step-by-step heating and washing water setting when washing laminated glass, and in the first step, the washing water temperature is set to 80 to 90 degrees and washing is performed for 2 to 5 minutes using the first-step washing water mixed with 7 to 10 parts by weight of an alcohol-based solvent based on 100 parts by weight of water, and in the second step, the washing water temperature is set to 90 to 100 degrees and washing is performed for 3 to 5 minutes using the second-step washing water mixed with 5 to 8 parts by weight of an organic solvent based on 100 parts by weight of water.

[0018] The above mixing unit can manufacture one of a clay mixture, a resin mixture, a building material mixture, or a polymer mixture according to the information received regarding the upcycling product.

[0019] The clay mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 40 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of clay, the resin mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 30 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of resin, the building material mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 40 to 60 parts by weight and gravel is mixed in a ratio of 20 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of sand, or a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 20 to 40 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of concrete, and the polymer mixture may be a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 30 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of polymer.

[0020] The above washing unit includes a heating unit for compressing washing water to high pressure and heating the compressed washing water, and the heating unit includes a circular housing in which washing water compressed to a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure flows at high speed and is rapidly heated and discharged, a washing water flow pipe arranged along the inner surface of the circular housing to provide a flow path for the washing water, a shielding means covering the outside of the circular housing to prevent heat inside the circular housing from being transferred to the outside, and a heating means for heating the washing water, and the shielding means may be formed in a layered structure including a first layer of solvent-free urethane coating layer, a second layer of glass fiber fabric sheet layer, a third layer of inorganic coating waterproof layer, a fourth layer of cotton fabric sheet layer, and a fifth layer of epoxy coating layer. Effects of the invention

[0021] According to the automobile waste upcycling system and method of one embodiment of the present invention, automobile waste can be recycled into industrial materials.

[0022] In addition, reusable glass raw materials can be separated from automotive glass generated from end-of-life vehicles and recycled.

[0023] In addition, during waste glass processing, residues or foreign substances from the PVB film in the intermediate layer of the laminated glass are removed through a high-temperature and high-pressure washing process, making it possible to obtain high-purity glass raw materials that can be recycled.

[0024] In addition, by differentiating the waste glass disposal process according to the type of automotive glass, it becomes possible to recycle waste glass more efficiently compared to the existing uniform glass recycling process, thereby reducing costs.

[0025] In addition, recycling waste glass has the effect of reducing carbon emissions by significantly reducing energy consumption compared to the production of new glass. Generally, recycling 1 ton of waste glass can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 315 kg, so the present invention can contribute to greenhouse gas reduction by increasing the waste glass recycling rate.

[0026] In addition, recycling waste glass instead of landfilling it reduces the burden on landfill capacity and has the effect of blocking the possibility of indirect greenhouse gas emissions that may occur in the landfill environment.

[0027] In addition, the high-purity glass raw material recovered through the present invention can be repeatedly recycled without quality degradation, and by mixing it with clay, plastic, construction materials, etc., to manufacture upcycled products, it is possible to maximize the efficiency of resource utilization and reduce waste generation, thereby contributing to environmental protection and the realization of carbon neutrality.

[0028] Furthermore, by manufacturing upcycled products that can serve as substitutes for existing industrial materials through mixing recycled glass raw materials with clay, plastic, construction materials, or interior materials, it is possible to increase resource utilization efficiency, contribute to environmental protection by reducing waste emissions, and strengthen business sustainability through long-term economic benefits.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention enables the traceability of automotive waste, particularly waste glass—which has previously been difficult to manage—by systematically recording and managing data on the entire process from the receipt of waste to its transformation into a final upcycled product through each processing step. This enhances the transparency of the waste treatment process, thereby improving reliability and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and the accuracy of performance reporting.

[0030] Furthermore, accumulated tracking and management data can be utilized in various ways, such as analyzing recycling efficiency by waste source and type, identifying areas for process improvement, and verifying ESG management performance, thereby contributing to enhancing waste management efficiency and further advancing the resource circulation system.

[0031] The effects according to the embodiments are not limited to those exemplified above, and a wider variety of effects are included in this specification. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automobile waste upcycling system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of an automobile waste upcycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the detailed operation flow of a cleaning unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0033] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0034] All flowcharts, state transition diagrams, pseudocode, etc., which can be substantially represented on a computer-readable medium, should be understood as representing various processes performed by a computer or processor, regardless of whether the computer or processor is explicitly depicted.

[0035] The functions of the various elements illustrated in the drawings, including functional blocks represented as processors or similar concepts, may be provided by the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in conjunction with appropriate software. When provided by a processor, said functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, a single shared processor, or a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0036] In this specification, the term "upcycling" refers to a process of collecting discarded materials or products and transforming them into products with different values ​​and functions from the original materials or products through additional processes, designs, or functional improvements, going beyond mere recycling. However, it is not limited thereto, and in this specification, the term upcycling is used as a concept that includes recycling.

[0037] The present invention describes an automobile waste upcycling system and method for recycling automobile waste. In the present invention, automobile waste refers to waste generated from discarded automobiles, such as automobile glass, automobile tires, and plastics from the interior and exterior of automobiles. Furthermore, automobile waste may include not only waste generated from end-of-life automobiles, but also defective products generated during the automobile production process, residues generated during the production process, and waste generated from the replacement of automobile parts.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for recycling automobile waste is performed by carrying out a pre-set recycling process based on input waste information to recycle automobile waste, and a mixture is prepared by mixing it with existing industrial materials to create an upcycled product selected by a user.

[0039] Furthermore, recycled waste can be mixed with clay, resin, plastic materials, or natural construction aggregates to create upcycled materials. These upcycled materials can replace existing industrial materials and be used in the manufacture of building materials, interior materials, crafts, or household goods such as tableware; thus, they can be utilized by construction-related companies, interior design firms, workshops, and household goods manufacturers for the production of upcycled products.

[0040] Through these upcycled materials, they can be recycled into basic materials for various industries, increasing resource utilization efficiency and contributing to environmental protection by reducing waste emissions, while also strengthening business sustainability through economic benefits.

[0041] Specific embodiments will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an automobile waste upcycling system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the automobile waste upcycling system (100) includes an input unit (110), a control unit (120), an upcycling unit (130), a storage unit (140), a communication unit (150), and a display unit (160).

[0043] The input unit (110) includes an input means for receiving input data from a user or other external device. The input unit (110) may include one or more of the following input means: an audio sensor, a camera including an image sensor, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a microphone, a mouse, an electronic pen, or a mechanical input button. In one embodiment of the present invention, the input unit (110) may receive information about waste and information about upcycling products to be manufactured through waste recycling through the input means. Additionally, the input unit (110) may receive tracking management data such as unique identification information of each waste management unit (unit), source of generation (e.g., junkyard information, production line information), date of entry, and quantity.

[0044] The communication unit (150) can exchange data with an external user terminal or server through a network. The network may include all types of communication networks, such as the Internet, WAN (Wide Area Network), LAN (Local Area Network), telephone network, cable network, mesh network, and P2P network. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit (150) can receive information about waste and information about upcycling products to be manufactured through waste recycling through a network.

[0045] The storage unit (140) may be composed of one or more storage devices that can be used to store information and accessed by a user, such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), flash memory, other memory technologies, CD-ROM, DVD, other optical storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other magnetic devices. The storage unit (140) may store commands or data related to at least one other component of the automotive waste upcycling system (100).

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit (140) can store information about waste obtained through the input unit (110) or the communication unit (150) and information about the upcycling product to be manufactured through waste recycling. Additionally, the storage unit (140) can store linked trace management data for each input waste unit and processing history and result data for each process stage, such as crushing, washing (including applied washing conditions), separation, and mixing (including mixing ratio and final product information), for the corresponding waste unit. Through this, a trace database for the entire process from the receipt of waste to the creation of the final upcycling product can be established.

[0047] The information regarding the waste mentioned above includes information on the types of automotive waste classified into glass, tires, and plastics, information on the types of waste glass classified into laminated glass, tempered glass, and ordinary glass, information on the size of the waste, information on the weight of the waste, and information on the material of the waste.

[0048] In addition, the information regarding the waste may further include information on whether hazardous substances are included, information on the method of treating hazardous substances, information on the location of the waste, information on carbon emissions during the recycling process, information on regional and international environmental regulations, information on waste management laws, and information on the estimated cost of waste treatment.

[0049] Information regarding such waste can be entered and stored by the user, and can be automatically calculated and stored by the waste upcycling system (100) based on some of the information entered by the user.

[0050] The information regarding the upcycling product to be manufactured includes at least one piece of information from a list of upcycling products that can be created.

[0051] Upcycling refers to a recycling method that transforms discarded or obsolete materials or products to endow them with higher value and functionality. Unlike simple recycling, it signifies the rebirth of materials or products into new ones possessing different qualities or functions. However, it is not limited to this, and in this invention, upcycling is a concept that includes recycling.

[0052] The information regarding the upcycling product may further include information regarding the upcycling category, information regarding the purpose of use of the upcycling product, and information regarding ESG indicator target values. The information regarding the upcycling category may include at least one of a material category, an auxiliary material category, and a product category. The information regarding the purpose of use of the upcycling product may include at least one of art, interior, and educational purposes.

[0053] In addition, information regarding upcycling products may further include information on the processing and manufacturing methods of materials, information on target customers, information on the price of upcycling products, information on distribution channels, information on environmental certification, information on compliance with safety and quality standards, information on user-customized options, and information on whether new technologies are applied. The information regarding upcycling products may be input and stored by a user, and may be automatically calculated and stored by the waste upcycling system (100) based on some of the information input by the user.

[0054] ESG indicators are metrics used to measure and evaluate a company's performance related to the Environment, Social, and Governance. ESG serves as an important standard for assessing corporate sustainability by considering not only financial performance but also non-financial factors such as environmental and social responsibility and corporate governance structure. ESG indicators help investors invest in companies that fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities and are used to evaluate corporate risks and opportunities from a long-term perspective. Therefore, the use of upcycled products can improve ESG indicators. For instance, the Environmental Score (E) among ESG indicators can be expressed as a score, and the recycling rate of waste influences this score. Consequently, the target value for ESG indicators can refer to the target value for the Environmental Score.

[0055] The input unit (110) can receive a target value for the environmental score among the ESG indicators. For example, the input unit (110) can receive a target value for the environmental score among the ESG indicators based on a maximum of 100 points.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the environmental score among the ESG indicators can be calculated based on at least one of the following data: the waste recycling rate, which is the ratio of recycled waste to total waste; the amount of energy consumed during recycling; the amount of carbon emissions during the recycling process; and the amount of reduction in the use of raw materials of upcycled materials compared to existing materials.

[0057] For example, among the ESG indicators, the environmental score can be calculated based on the above data by evaluating waste recycling rate, energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and resource conservation, and each evaluation can be weighted in the order of 30:30:20:20 with a maximum score of 100 points.

[0058] Automotive waste glass is generally classified into laminated glass and tempered glass. Laminated glass is a product formed by inserting and bonding a bonding film, such as a PVB film, between two sheets of plate glass. Due to the high shock absorption capacity resulting from the tensile strength of the PVB film, it is primarily used as windshields for automobiles. Tempered glass is glass that has 3 to 5 times the strength of ordinary glass by heat-treating ordinary plate glass at high temperatures, and it is primarily used for side and rear windows of automobiles. Automotive waste glass can be recovered as glass raw materials through crushing, washing, and separation processes. The glass raw materials can then undergo a thermal process to be recycled into new glass materials or mixed with other industrial materials for recycling. Meanwhile, although the laminated glass according to one embodiment of the present invention is described as an example of an automotive windshield using a PVB film, such laminated glass is not limited to automotive windshields; various laminated glass with bonded films, such as laminated glass for high-rise buildings, safety glass for hurricanes or typhoons, aircraft glass, and bulletproof glass, can be applied.

[0059] Waste tires refer to tires collected from discarded vehicles and may include tires generated during the tire manufacturing process as well as those discarded due to replacement. Synthetic rubber, the main material of waste tires, is converted into small pieces or powder after undergoing a crushing process and can be used as a material for flooring in playgrounds or sports spaces, asphalt, handicrafts, road facilities, or shock-absorbing devices. Additionally, the steel wires contained in waste tires can generally be recycled by separating them from the rubber through a magnetic separation process.

[0060] Waste plastic refers to discarded plastic collected from vehicles that have reached the end of their lifespan, and may also include plastic generated during the manufacturing process and plastic discarded due to the replacement of vehicle parts. Waste plastic is converted into small pieces through a crushing process, and after undergoing a washing process to improve the quality of the final recycled product, it can be recycled through heat treatment and reprocessing. Waste plastic can be recycled into materials for various fields, such as furniture, construction materials, automotive parts, household goods, or electronic products.

[0061] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the waste treatment method of the present invention will be described in detail based on waste glass, which is one of the automotive wastes. However, this is illustrative and the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be implemented in specific forms for waste tires, waste plastics, and other waste materials.

[0062] The storage unit (140) can store detailed setting value data for the operation of the crushing unit (131), washing unit (132), and separation unit (133) according to the type of waste. Additionally, the storage unit (140) can store data regarding a list of possible upcycling products and detailed setting values ​​for the mixing unit (134) according to each upcycling material. In one embodiment, the storage unit (140) may include information on clay mixtures, polymer mixtures, building material mixtures, and resin mixtures as a list of possible upcycling products, and may include information on the mixing ratio of each mixture.

[0063] The upcycling unit (130) is configured to recycle waste materials, such as automotive glass, into upcycled products through crushing, washing, separation, and mixing processes. The upcycling unit (130) includes a crushing unit (131), a washing unit (132), a separation unit (133), and a mixing unit (134).

[0064] The upcycling unit (130) may include a crushing unit (131) that crushes waste into particles of a certain size, a washing unit (132) that determines washing settings according to information received through an input unit and washes the crushed product according to the set washing settings, a separation unit (133) that separates recyclable materials from the washed product, and a mixing unit (134) that mixes the separated recyclable materials with a preset material corresponding to the received upcycling product.

[0065] The crushing unit (131) includes a crushing device for crushing waste glass collected from scrapped automobiles or generated in the laminated glass production process. The crushing device includes a primary crushing device composed of one of a hammer mill, ball mill, impact crusher, and blade roller, or a combination of these devices, for primary crushing of waste glass, and a secondary crushing device composed of one of a hammer mill, cone crusher, spike roller, ultrasonic crusher, hydraulic crusher, and low-speed crusher, or a combination of these devices, for crushing the material that has passed through the primary crushing device to have a uniform and smaller size. The first crushing device may be configured to repeat the crushing operation by the crushing device several times until the size of the crushed glass becomes 40 mm or less, and the second crushing device may be configured to repeat the crushing operation by the crushing device several times until the size of the crushed glass becomes 4 to 7 mm.

[0066] The washing unit (132) determines the washing settings according to the information received through the input unit (110) and washes the crushed product according to the set washing settings.

[0067] The washing unit (132) includes a washing device for washing crushed material crushed through the crushing unit (131). The washing device can wash the crushed material by compressing washing water to a high pressure (e.g., 2 bar or more), heating the compressed washing water, and then spraying it onto the material. The washing device may include a heating unit for heating washing water, and the heating unit may be included in the washing device to heat the high-pressure washing water. In one embodiment, the heating unit may include a circular housing, a washing water flow pipe, a shielding means, and a heating means. The compressed washing water may flow into the circular housing, be heated, and then discharged. Washing water compressed to a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure may flow at high speed inside the circular housing, and the compressed washing water may be rapidly heated inside the circular housing and discharged.

[0068] The wash water flow pipe can be arranged along the inner surface of the circular housing to provide a flow path for the wash water. That is, the wash water flow pipe can be placed inside the circular housing and protected by the circular housing, and can provide a space where the compressed wash water can be heated.

[0069] The shielding means can cover the exterior of the circular housing to shield the wash water flow pipe. That is, the shielding means can shield the interior of the circular housing for safety, while allowing the wash water to be efficiently heated inside the circular housing.

[0070] The shielding means may have a layered structure including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, a fourth layer, and a fifth layer to prevent heat inside the circular housing from being transferred to the outside and to prevent safety accidents caused by high temperature and high pressure, wherein the first layer may be composed of a solvent-free urethane coating layer, the second layer may be composed of a glass fiber fabric sheet layer, the third layer may be composed of an inorganic coating waterproof layer, the fourth layer may be composed of a cotton fabric sheet layer, and the fifth layer may be composed of an epoxy coating layer.

[0071] For the first layer, the solvent-free urethane coating layer, it is preferable to use a branched polyether-polyester polyol to provide the shrinkage and expansion function of the composite waterproof sheet. The solvent-free urethane coating layer (150) is composed of 32-42% by weight of branched polyether-polyester polyol, 33-43% by weight of calcium carbonate, 15-20% by weight of a curing agent, 9.7-20% by weight of a plasticizer, and 0.3-1% by weight of an antifoaming agent, and the coating amount can be 500-700g / m².

[0072] The second layer, the glass fiber fabric sheet layer, is characterized by having a weight of 600 to 750 g / m² and a fabric grid spacing of 3 to 4 mm for excellent strength of the composite waterproof sheet.

[0073] The third layer, the inorganic film waterproofing layer, is composed of 40-50% by weight of acrylic emulsion, 20-23% by weight of Portland cement, 24-27% by weight of silica sand No. 7, 0.1-0.3% by weight of dispersant, 0.1-0.3% by weight of defoamer, and 5.8-10% by weight of water, and the coating amount can be 900-1100 g / m².

[0074] The fourth layer, the cotton fabric sheet layer, allows for the uniform formation of the appearance of the composite waterproof sheet, and the cotton fabric sheet used is composed of 55 to 75 volume% polyester and 25 to 45 volume% cotton, and the weight may be 150 to 250 g / m².

[0075] The fifth layer, the epoxy coating layer, is composed of 25-35% by weight of water-soluble epoxy emulsion resin with excellent water resistance, 15-23% by weight of Portland cement, 34-42% by weight of silica sand No. 7, 10-15% by weight of epoxy curing agent, 5.7-10% by weight of water, and 0.3-0.5% by weight of defoaming agent, and the coating amount may be 300-400g / m².

[0076] The heating means is positioned inside the circular housing through the shielding means and can heat the compressed washing water passing through the washing water flow pipe. That is, the heating means can heat the compressed washing water passing through the washing water flow pipe by providing a direct heat source to the washing water flow pipe.

[0077] The wash water flow pipe may include a main wash water flow pipe, a split wash water flow pipe connected to the main wash water flow pipe, and a spray wash water flow pipe connected to the split wash water flow pipe. For heating efficiency, wash water flowing into the main wash water flow pipe may be divided into six split wash water flow pipes, heated, combined into one spray wash water flow pipe, and then sprayed out. Each split wash water flow pipe may be extended in a form where peaks and valleys repeat. The diameter of the main wash water flow pipe may be 5 mm, the diameter of each split wash water flow pipe may be 0.8 mm, and the diameter of the spray wash water flow pipe may be 4 mm.

[0078] The washing unit (132) selects and uses one of a first washing water for laminated glass and a second washing water for ordinary glass, wherein the first washing water contains 5 to 8 parts by weight of an organic solvent per 100 parts by weight of water, and the second washing water contains 2 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant and 3 to 5 parts by weight of an alcohol solvent per 100 parts by weight of water, or may contain 10 to 20 parts by weight of household ammonia water (ammonium hydroxide, 3 to 10% concentration) per 100 parts by weight of water. The washing unit (132) may set the temperature of the washing water to 80 to 100 degrees when washing laminated glass, and set the temperature of the washing water to 30 to 50 degrees when washing ordinary glass and tempered glass.

[0079] Specifically, one of a first washing water for use on laminated glass with a film bonded thereto and a second washing water for ordinary glass or tempered glass without a film may be selected and used. The washing water may be configured to be automatically selected based on information regarding the waste glass to be processed.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first washing water is a washing water for washing laminated glass, and may be a mixed solution mixed in a ratio of 5 to 8 parts by weight of an organic solvent to 100 parts by weight of water to dissolve the PVB film and weaken the adhesion to the glass. The organic solvent may include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and toluene.

[0081] The second washing water is a washing water for washing ordinary glass or tempered glass, and may be a mixed solution mixed in a ratio of 2 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant and 3 to 5 parts by weight of an alcohol solvent per 100 parts by weight of water. The alcohol solvent may include one or more of ethanol, isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), and propylene glycol. Additionally, the second washing water may be a mixed solution mixed in a ratio of 10 to 20 parts by weight of household ammonia water (ammonium hydroxide, 3 to 10% concentration) per 100 parts by weight of water.

[0082] In addition, the washing water for the laminated glass may be a mixture of the first washing water and the second washing water mentioned above.

[0083] Meanwhile, the washing unit (132) can adjust the temperature of the heating unit according to the information of the waste glass so that the temperature of the washing water when washing laminated glass and the temperature of the washing water when washing ordinary glass and tempered glass can be set differently.

[0084] Generally, lamination films, including PVB films, begin to soften at temperatures between 80 and 120 degrees. Therefore, when the waste glass to be processed is laminated glass, a heating unit is used to set the first washing temperature. The first washing temperature can be set to a washing water temperature between 80 and 100 degrees, which is higher than the softening start temperature of the laminated film. Meanwhile, when washing crushed tempered glass and ordinary glass, the washing water temperature is set to a second washing temperature. The second washing temperature can be set to a temperature between 30 and 50 degrees, which is lower than the first washing temperature.

[0085] In addition, in some embodiments, when cleaning laminated glass, the cleaning unit (132) can more efficiently remove the PVB film by dividing the temperature of the cleaning water into multiple stages (hereinafter referred to as "stage-by-stage heating and cleaning water setting") and sequentially supplying different cleaning water for each temperature stage.

[0086] For example, in the first stage, it is preferable to set the temperature of the washing water to a range of 80 to 90°C and to use a first-stage washing water mixed with 7 to 10 parts by weight of an alcohol-based solvent (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, etc.) based on 100 parts by weight of water. In this first stage, a washing operation is performed for at least 2 to 5 minutes to induce the PVB film to undergo initial swelling or softening, thereby inducing the PVB film surface to partially collapse. Subsequently, in the second stage, it is preferable to raise the temperature of the washing water to a range of 90 to 100°C and to introduce a second-stage washing water mixed with an organic solvent (e.g., one or more of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and toluene) in a ratio of 5 to 8 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of water. At this time, since the PVB film rapidly melts in the high-temperature region and the adhesion to the glass is significantly weakened, the film residue or contaminants are effectively removed from the glass surface by performing a washing operation for at least 3 to 5 minutes. Through this multi-stage heating section setting, the PVB film contained in the laminated glass is decomposed and detached more uniformly compared to a single-temperature section washing method, and high-purity glass raw materials can be stably secured by preventing uneven washing problems that may occur during high-temperature and high-pressure washing.

[0087] Additionally, in some embodiments, the washing unit (132) may further include a screening step using a mesh filter to further increase the purity of the glass raw material during the process of transferring the glass crushed material to the next process or discharging the washing water after the washing process. In this step, a screen or filter having a specific mesh size is used. For example, it can be configured so that the washed glass crushed material and the washing water pass over this screen together.

[0088] In the screening step, the screen mesh size is set to be smaller than the target glass particles (e.g., 4–7 mm) but larger than the fine dust or suspended particles to be removed. This allows glass fragments to remain on the screen, while fine particles or suspended particles much smaller than glass are discharged through the screen holes along with the wash water and removed. This removes fine suspended particles, thereby increasing the transparency of the final glass raw material. The screen mesh size can be set to the lower limit of the desired glass particle size (e.g., 4 mm). By supplying the washed glass fragments onto the screen and performing an additional rinsing operation using clean water (or a wash solution), glass fragments or impurities smaller than the target size pass through the screen with the water, while only glass particles within the desired size range remain on the screen for recovery. More precise particle size control is possible by using screens of various sizes in stages as needed.

[0089] This screening process effectively separates fine residues or particles of unwanted size that may remain on the cleaned glass surface, thereby increasing the efficiency of subsequent processes and improving the quality of the final upcycled product, particularly its appearance and transparency.

[0090] The separation unit (133) separates foreign substances, including glass and PVB film, from the result obtained through the washing unit (132). The separation unit (133) includes a separation device for separating the two materials using the density difference between glass and PVB. The separation device may include a liquid medium having an intermediate density between the two materials and a separation cup containing the liquid medium. The liquid medium must have an intermediate value between the densities of the two materials and is prepared as a liquid mixture.

[0091] The product recovered after washing is transferred to a separation cup containing the liquid mixture; due to the difference in specific gravity with the liquid medium, residues of the PVB film or other foreign substances float on the surface of the liquid mixture, while crushed glass fragments sink to the bottom. The liquid mixture is then discharged from the separation cup, and the glass fragments settled at the bottom are recovered to finally separate the glass and PVB.

[0092] Generally, the specific gravity of glass is 2.5 to 2.6, and the specific gravity of PVB film is 1.22 to 1.25. In one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid mixture may be a salt solution having a specific gravity of 1.4 to 1.5, i.e., a mixture of sodium chloride and water, or a mixture of calcium chloride and water.

[0093] Additionally, the separation unit (133) may further include a separation device for performing a separation operation using a magnet to separate metal foreign substances.

[0094] Meanwhile, in one embodiment of the present invention, the separation unit (133) discloses a separation device utilizing a density difference, but a separation method utilizing a weight difference through an air blower and a separation device that separates glass by extracting only PVB using a solvent that selectively dissolves PVB may also be used.

[0095] The mixing unit (134) mixes and processes the glass raw material separated through the separation unit (133) with a preset mixture to produce an upcycled product.

[0096] The mixing unit (134) can perform a mixing process according to information about an upcycling product input through the input unit (110) or the communication unit (150), a list of possible upcycling products stored in the storage unit (140), and information about the detailed setting values ​​of the mixing unit according to each product.

[0097] The mixing unit (134) can produce a mixture of one of a clay mixture, a resin mixture, a building material mixture, or a polymer mixture according to the information received regarding the upcycling product.

[0098] The list of upcycling products may include clay mixtures, polymer mixtures, building material mixtures, and resin mixtures.

[0099] First, the clay mixture is an upcycling material formed by mixing clay with glass raw materials recovered through the separation unit (133), and can be used as a flowerpot, bowl, ornament, craft, or interior tile after undergoing a firing process. In one embodiment of the present invention, the clay mixture may be prepared as a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 40 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of clay.

[0100] The resin mixture is an upcycling material formed by mixing recovered glass raw materials with resin, and can be used as ornaments, bowls, and household goods. In one embodiment of the present invention, the resin mixture may be prepared as a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 30 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of resin.

[0101] A mixture for construction materials is an upcycled material formed by mixing glass raw materials with gravel and sand, and can be used as a material for bricks, concrete, construction blocks, etc. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the mixture for construction materials may be prepared as a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 40 to 60 parts by weight and gravel is mixed in a ratio of 20 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of sand. In addition, the mixture for construction materials may be an upcycled material formed by mixing glass raw materials with concrete. In this case, the mixture for construction materials may be prepared as a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 20 to 40 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of concrete.

[0102] The polymer mixture is an upcycling material formed by mixing recovered glass raw materials with a polymer, and can be used as a substitute for plastic to be used in various ways, such as for bowls, household goods, and crafts. The polymer includes thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the polymer mixture may be prepared as a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 30 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of polymer.

[0103] The display unit (160) includes a display device for displaying data transmitted from the control unit (140). The display unit (160) may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) display, and an electronic paper display. The display unit (160) may display a screen containing images, text, and various interfaces to the user, and the display unit (160) according to one embodiment of the present invention may display information about waste input through the input unit (110) or the communication unit (150) and information about upcycling products. In addition, the display unit (160) may display information about the progress of each stage of automobile waste treatment, information about ESG indicator target values, and information about ESG indicator values ​​calculated according to recycling operations. In addition, the display unit (160) may visually display the processing history, recycling performance statistics, and current processing status of a specific waste unit based on waste tracking management data stored in the storage unit (140).

[0104] The control unit (120) may include one or more of a central processing unit and an application processor. The control unit (120) may control other components of the automobile waste upcycling system (100), communicate with other components, and process data.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (120) receives information about waste and information about the upcycling product to be generated through the input unit (110), crushes the waste into particles of a certain size through the crushing unit (131), sets the washing water to a first washing water to weaken the adhesion between the PVB film and the glass through the washing unit (132) if the waste is laminated glass, sets the temperature of the washing water to a first temperature that is higher than the softening start temperature of the PVB film, sets the washing water to a second washing water for general washing purposes, sets the temperature of the washing water to a second temperature lower than the first temperature, washes the crushed product according to the set washing water and temperature, separates the recyclable material from the washed product through the separation unit (133), and mixes the separated recyclable material with a preset material corresponding to the received upcycling product through the mixing unit (134).

[0106] Additionally, the control unit (120) can control the mixing unit (134) to manufacture one of a clay mixture, a resin mixture, a building material mixture, and a polymer mixture according to information about the upcycling product.

[0107] Additionally, the control unit (120) controls the generation of a processing history record by linking the waste tracking management data input through the input unit (110) with the information of each process step performed in the upcycling unit (130) and storing it in the storage unit (140). If necessary, the control unit (120) can control the generation of a recycling performance report based on the stored tracking data or the transmission of related data to an external management system through the communication unit (150).

[0108] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the process of an automobile waste upcycling method according to one embodiment. An automobile waste upcycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0109] First, the automobile waste upcycling system (100) receives input data from an external user through an input unit (110) or a communication unit (150) (S210). The input data includes information about the waste to be processed and information about the upcycling product to be manufactured through recycling. Additionally, the input data may include data for tracking management, such as the source of the waste, the amount received, and unique identification information.

[0110] Information on waste includes information on the types of waste glass classified into laminated glass, tempered glass, and ordinary glass.

[0111] The information regarding the waste may further include information on the type of automotive waste, information on the size of the waste, information on the weight of the waste, and information on the material of the waste. Additionally, the information regarding the waste may further include information on whether hazardous substances are included, information on the method of treating hazardous substances, information on the location of the waste, information on carbon emissions during the recycling process, information on regional and international environmental regulations, information on waste management laws, and information on the estimated cost of waste treatment.

[0112] The information regarding the upcycling product above includes at least one piece of information from a list of upcycling products that can be created.

[0113] The information regarding the upcycling product mentioned above may further include information regarding the upcycling category, information regarding the purpose of use of the upcycling product, and information regarding ESG indicator target values.

[0114] Information regarding the above-mentioned upcycling category may include at least one of a material category, an auxiliary material category, and a product category. Information regarding the purpose of use of the above-mentioned upcycling product may include at least one of art, interior, and educational purposes.

[0115] In addition, information regarding upcycled products may further include information on material processing and manufacturing methods, information on target customers, information on pricing, information on distribution channels, information on environmental certifications, information on compliance with safety and quality standards, information on user customization options, and information on the application of new technologies.

[0116] In addition, the input unit (110) can receive a target value for the environmental score among the ESG indicators.

[0117] Next, the automobile waste upcycling system (100) crushes the waste corresponding to the input waste data through the crushing unit (131) (S220). The crushing step includes a first crushing step in which the waste crushed through the crushing unit (131) is crushed until the size of the crushed waste becomes 40 mm or less, and a second crushing step in which the crushed waste is crushed until the size of the crushed waste becomes 4 to 7 mm.

[0118] And, the automobile waste upcycling system (100) washes the crushed material through the washing unit (132) (S230). The washing unit (132) includes a washing device for washing the crushed material, and the washing device can wash the crushed material by compressing washing water to high pressure, heating the compressed washing water, and then spraying it onto the material.

[0119] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the detailed operation flow of a cleaning unit according to one embodiment. The operation of the cleaning unit will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

[0120] First, the washing unit (132) receives information about the input waste from the control unit (S310). Next, the washing unit (132) determines whether the waste is laminated glass based on the received information (S320). If the waste is laminated glass, the washing water is set to a first washing water to weaken the adhesion between the PVB film and the glass, and the temperature of the washing water is set to a first temperature that is higher than the softening start temperature of the PVB film (S330). If the waste is not laminated glass, the washing water is set to a second washing water for general washing purposes, and the temperature of the washing water is set to a second temperature lower than the first temperature (S340). Then, the washing unit (132) performs a washing operation on the crushed waste according to the set washing water and temperature (S350).

[0121] After performing this washing operation, the automobile waste upcycling system (100) separates the glass from the washed result through the separation unit (133) (S240). The separation unit (133) separates foreign substances, including glass and PVB film, from the result through the washing unit (132), and the separation unit (133) can perform the separation step through a separation device for separating the two materials using the density difference between the glass and PVB.

[0122] And, the automobile waste upcycling system (100) creates a mixture by mixing glass raw materials and a preset mixture through a mixing unit (134). The mixing unit (134) can perform mixing according to information about the upcycling product input through the input unit (110) or the communication unit (150), a list of possible upcycling products stored in the storage unit (140), and information about the detailed setting values ​​of the mixing unit according to each product.

[0123] The list of upcycling products may include clay mixtures, polymer mixtures, building material mixtures, and resin mixtures.

[0124] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. Explanation of the symbols

[0125] 100: Waste Upcycling System 110: Input section 120: Control unit 130: Upcycling Department 131: Crushing section 132: Washing section 133: Separator 134: Mixing section 140: Storage section 150: Communications Department 160: Display unit

Claims

Claim 1 An automobile waste upcycling system comprising an input unit that receives information about waste and information about upcycling products, and an upcycling unit that crushes, washes, separates, and mixes the waste to produce upcycling products. Claim 2 In claim 1, the upcycling unit comprises a crushing unit that crushes the waste into particles having a certain size, a washing unit that determines washing settings according to information received through the input unit and washes the crushed product according to the set washing settings, a separation unit that separates recyclable materials from the washed product, and a mixing unit that mixes the separated recyclable materials with a preset material corresponding to the received upcycling product. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the waste is automotive waste glass, and the information regarding the waste includes information on the type of waste glass classified into laminated glass, tempered glass, and ordinary glass, and the information regarding the upcycling product includes at least one of a list of possible upcycling products, and the list of possible upcycling products includes a clay mixture, a polymer mixture, a building material mixture, and a resin mixture, an automotive waste upcycling system. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the washing unit selects and uses one of a first washing water for laminated glass and a second washing water for ordinary glass, wherein the first washing water contains 5 to 8 parts by weight of an organic solvent per 100 parts by weight of water, and the second washing water contains 2 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant and 3 to 5 parts by weight of an alcohol solvent per 100 parts by weight of water, or contains 10 to 20 parts by weight of household ammonia water per 100 parts by weight of water, an automobile waste upcycling system. Claim 5 In claim 4, the washing unit sets the temperature of the washing water to 80 to 100 degrees when washing laminated glass, and sets the temperature of the washing water to 30 to 50 degrees when washing ordinary glass and tempered glass, in an automobile waste upcycling system. Claim 6 In claim 5, the washing unit performs step-by-step heating and washing water setting when washing laminated glass, and in the first step, sets the washing water temperature to 80 to 90 degrees and washes for 2 to 5 minutes using a first-step washing water mixed with 7 to 10 parts by weight of an alcohol-based solvent based on 100 parts by weight of water, and in the second step, sets the washing water temperature to 90 to 100 degrees and washes for 3 to 5 minutes using a second-step washing water mixed with 5 to 8 parts by weight of an organic solvent based on 100 parts by weight of water. Claim 7 In claim 6, the above mixing unit is an automotive waste upcycling system that manufactures one of a clay mixture, a resin mixture, a building material mixture, or a polymer mixture according to the information received regarding the upcycling product. Claim 8 An automobile waste upcycling system according to claim 7, wherein the clay mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 40 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of clay, the resin mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 30 to 50 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of resin, the construction material mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 40 to 60 parts by weight and gravel is mixed in a ratio of 20 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of sand, or a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 20 to 40 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of concrete, and the polymer mixture is a mixture in which glass is mixed in a ratio of 30 to 60 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of polymer. Claim 9 In claim 8, the washing unit comprises a heating unit for compressing washing water to high pressure and heating the compressed washing water, wherein the heating unit comprises a circular housing in which washing water compressed to a pressure greater than a predetermined pressure flows at high speed and is rapidly heated and discharged, a washing water flow pipe arranged along the inner surface of the circular housing to provide a flow path for the washing water, a shielding means covering the outside of the circular housing to prevent heat inside the circular housing from being transferred to the outside, and a heating means for heating the washing water, wherein the shielding means comprises a layered structure including a first layer of solvent-free urethane coating layer, a second layer of glass fiber fabric sheet layer, a third layer of inorganic coating waterproof layer, a fourth layer of cotton fabric sheet layer, and a fifth layer of epoxy coating layer, thereby forming an automobile waste upcycling system.

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