Extrusion device, treatment system, and treatment method

Abstract

An extrusion device (11) includes a cylinder (100), a screw (121), a decomposition treatment area (130), an irradiating device (140), and a delivery port (160). The cylinder (100) has a receiving section (110) that receives an object of treatment from the outside. The screw (121) is rotatably accommodated in the cylinder (100) and conveys the object of treatment received from the receiving section (110) to a downstream side while rotating the object of treatment. The decomposition treatment area (130) is a space set up in the cylinder (100). The irradiating device (140) irradiates the object of treatment with microwaves in the decomposition treatment area (130). The delivery port (160) is a flow path on which the object of treatment, which has been conveyed downstream after being irradiated with microwaves, is delivered out of the cylinder (100).

Description

Extrusion apparatus, processing system and processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to an extrusion apparatus, a processing system and a processing method.

[0002] There is a technique called chemical recycling, which is a technology for breaking down waste plastic and extracting reusable substances.

[0003] For example, the treatment device described in Patent Document 1 heats waste plastics to thermally decompose chlorine-based polymers to generate chlorine compounds, and separates the waste plastics into molten waste plastics and the chlorine compounds.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-317072

[0005] Further improvements in recycling technology are expected in order to realize a recycling-oriented society.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide an extrusion device and the like that efficiently recovers reusable substances.

[0007] The extrusion device according to the present disclosure has a cylinder, a screw, a decomposition treatment area, an irradiation device, and a discharge port. The cylinder has a receiving section that receives the object to be treated from the outside. The screw is rotatably housed in the cylinder and transports the object to be treated received from the receiving section downstream while rotating. The decomposition treatment area is a space set in the cylinder. The irradiation device irradiates microwaves onto the object to be treated in the decomposition treatment area. The discharge port is a flow path that sends the object to be treated that has been irradiated with microwaves and transported downstream out of the cylinder.

[0008] In the processing method according to the present disclosure, a processing system performs the following processing. The processing system receives an object to be processed inside a cylinder. The processing system transports the received object to be processed downstream by rotating a screw housed in the cylinder. The processing system irradiates microwaves onto the object to be processed in a decomposition processing area, which is a space defined in the cylinder. After being irradiated with microwaves, the processing system sends the object to be processed that has been transported downstream out of the cylinder.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an extrusion device, a processing system, and a processing method can be provided that efficiently recover reusable materials.

[0010] It is an overall configuration diagram of a processing system according to embodiment 1. It is a configuration diagram of an extrusion device according to embodiment 1. It is a flowchart of a processing method according to embodiment 1. It is a configuration diagram of an extrusion device according to embodiment 2.

[0011] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been omitted and simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are assigned the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0012] First Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a processing system according to the first embodiment. The processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of each component for ease of understanding. The processing system 1 thermally decomposes a processing target M10 to recover a first product M21 and a second product M22. The processing system 1 mainly includes an extrusion device 11, a secondary battery 200, a separation device 300, a storage device 400, and a control unit 500.

[0013] The following describes the extrusion device 11. The extrusion device 11 receives and thermally decomposes the treatment object M10. The extrusion device 11 mainly includes a cylinder 100, a screw 121, a decomposition treatment area 130, an irradiation device 140, and a delivery port 160.

[0014] The cylinder 100 has a receiving section 110 on the upstream side that receives the treatment object M10 from the outside. The receiving section 110 is an opening that receives the treatment object M10 from the outside into the extrusion device 11. The receiving section 110 may include a feeder for measuring and receiving the treatment object M10. The cylinder 100 also has a delivery port 160 on the downstream side. The delivery port 160 is a flow path that sends the pyrolyzed treatment object M10 out of the cylinder 100.

[0015] In this disclosure, the terms "upstream side" and "downstream side" are defined along the flow of the processing object M10. That is, the extrusion device 11 receives the processing object M10 on the upstream side of the cylinder 100, transports the processing object M10 downstream, performs a predetermined process on the processing object M10, and then sends the processing object M10 out of the cylinder 100 on the downstream side.

[0016] The processing target M10 includes at least a resin and a catalyst used to thermally decompose the resin. The resin may be, for example, any thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or polyamide (PA), or any thermosetting resin such as epoxy, unsaturated polyester, polyimide, or polyurethane. The thermoplastic or thermosetting resin may also be a composite material containing fibers such as carbon fiber, glass fiber, or cellulose. The catalyst includes a substance that generates heat when exposed to a specified microwave and promotes the thermal decomposition of the resin. More specifically, the catalyst is an electromagnetic wave absorber such as iron oxide or carbon fiber. The catalyst may also include a substance that promotes the thermal decomposition of the resin, such as citric acid.

[0017] The screw 121 is rotatably housed in the cylinder 100 and conveys the treatment object M10 received from the receiving section 110 downstream while rotating. The screw 121 includes a shaft extending along the extension direction of the cylinder 100 and a spiral flight provided on the outer periphery of the shaft. As the shaft of the screw 121 rotates, the flight continuously pushes and moves the treatment object M10 supplied to the cylinder 100 in the rotational direction and downstream direction. In this way, the screw 121 conveys the treatment object M10 to the decomposition treatment area 130 while stirring or kneading it.

[0018] The extrusion device 11 may also include a temperature control device in at least a part of the cylinder 100. The temperature control device heats or cools the cylinder 100. This allows the extrusion device 11 to, for example, transport the treatment target M10 while heating it. In this case, the screw 121 can stir or knead the treatment target M10 heated by the temperature control device while transporting it to the decomposition treatment area 130.

[0019] The decomposition treatment area 130 is a space that is set in advance downstream of the receiving section 110 in the cylinder 100 and upstream of the delivery port 160. The decomposition treatment area 130 is a space that allows the microwaves irradiated by the irradiation device 140 to be absorbed by the treatment object M10.

[0020] If atmospheric air enters and stagnates in the decomposition treatment area 130 or the cylinder 100 and reacts with the gas generated from the treatment target M10 decomposed by microwaves, the recovery rate of the first product M21 and the second product M22 will decrease. Therefore, the extrusion device 11 preferably has a function of pressurizing an inert gas, such as nitrogen gas, into the cylinder 100 or the decomposition treatment area 130. More preferably, the extrusion device 11 preferably has a function of lowering the pressure inside the cylinder 100 or the decomposition treatment area 130 to below atmospheric pressure. More specifically, the extrusion device 11 may have, for example, a degassing device for sucking and discharging air stagnates in the cylinder 100 to the outside. The degassing device may have, for example, an opening at the top of the cylinder 100, through which air inside the cylinder 100 is discharged. The opening in the cylinder 100 may be equipped with a filter to prevent leakage of the treatment target M10. This configuration allows the extrusion device 11 to facilitate the removal of air remaining inside the cylinder 100.

[0021] The irradiation device 140 irradiates microwaves onto the processing target M10 in the decomposition processing region 130. The microwaves are, for example, electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 300 MHz to 30 GHz, preferably 2.45 GHz (2.45 gigahertz). The irradiation device 140 includes at least a magnetron that generates microwaves. The output of the magnetron is, for example, approximately 1000 watts. The irradiation device 140 irradiates the decomposition processing region 130 for, for example, approximately 1 minute to 10 minutes. Note that the magnetron output and irradiation time of the irradiation device 140 shown here are merely examples, and the operation of the irradiation device 140 in this embodiment is not limited to the example shown here.

[0022] When the irradiation device 140 irradiates the decomposition treatment area 130 with microwaves, the treatment target M10 remaining in the decomposition treatment area 130 receives the microwaves. Of the treatment target M10 that receives the microwaves, materials that absorb microwaves, such as electromagnetic wave absorbers, are heated and their temperature rises. Accordingly, the resins present in the treatment target M10 are also heated and thermally decomposed. At this time, the temperature inside the decomposition treatment area 130 is, for example, 400 to 900 degrees Celsius.

[0023] The heated resin undergoes polymer decomposition, converting it into hydrogen, lower hydrocarbons, organic gases, and other intermediate products. Further microwave irradiation by the irradiation device 140 further accelerates the pyrolysis, producing a first product M21 and a second product M22 from the treatment target M10. The first product M21 is a gas and contains hydrogen. The second product M22 is a substance other than the first product M21 and contains carbon. The carbon may be, for example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The irradiation device 140 stops irradiating the microwaves after the treatment target M10 has been decomposed into the first product M21 and the second product M22. The pyrolyzed treatment target M10 (first product M21 and second product M22) is transported downstream of the decomposition treatment region 130.

[0024] The outlet 160 is a flow path that sends the treatment object M10 transported from the decomposition treatment region 130 to the outside. The outlet 160 is provided at the downstream end of the cylinder 100. The outlet 160 is connected to the separation device 300. Therefore, the first product M21 and the second product M22 pushed out from the decomposition treatment region 130 are supplied to the separation device 300 via the outlet 160.

[0025] The above has described the extrusion device 11. With the above-described configuration, the extrusion device 11 pyrolyzes the received treatment object M10 and supplies the first product M21 and second product M22 produced after the pyrolysis to the separation device 300. The extrusion device 11 may also have at least one or more irradiation devices 140 downstream of the receiving section 110. In this case, the extrusion device 11 can also change the microwave irradiation conditions in each of the multiple irradiation devices 140.

[0026] The secondary battery 200 supplies power to the extrusion device 11. More specifically, for example, the secondary battery 200 can supply power to the irradiation device 140 of the extrusion device 11. The secondary battery 200 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, or a lead storage battery.

[0027] The secondary battery 200 can also store power generated from renewable energy. The secondary battery 200 shown in FIG. 1 receives power from a wind power generation system 90. With this configuration, the treatment system 1 having the secondary battery 200 performs thermal decomposition of the treatment target M10 while reducing the environmental load. The wind power generation system 90 is one aspect of a power generation system that uses renewable energy. A power generation system that uses renewable energy may use, for example, solar light or geothermal energy. A power generation system using renewable energy may also include a system that generates power using, for example, a hydrogen boiler that uses the generated hydrogen.

[0028] The secondary battery 200 may be a recycled product (a reused product). A recycled product includes, for example, a battery that was used in an electric vehicle or the like but was removed from the electric vehicle or the like because it no longer meets the specifications for use in the electric vehicle or the like. By using a recycled product as the secondary battery 200, the processing system 1 can reduce the environmental impact.

[0029] The separation device 300 receives the first product M21 and the second product M22 from the extrusion device 11 and separates at least the first product M21 and the second product M22. The separation device 300 delivers the first product M21 to the storage device 400 via the delivery pipe 310. The storage device 400 compresses and stores the received first product M21, for example. The separation device 300 may also have a function of removing gases other than hydrogen from the first product M21 supplied to the storage device 400. For example, if the first product M21 contains carbon dioxide, the separation device 300 removes carbon dioxide from the first product M21 by a water displacement method. With this configuration, the separation device 300 extracts hydrogen from the pyrolyzed treatment target M10.

[0030] The separation device 300 also discharges the separated second product M22 to the outside from the discharge port 320. When the second product M22 contains substances other than carbon, the separation device 300 may have a function of separating the carbon from the other substances. With this configuration, the separation device 300 extracts carbon from the pyrolyzed treatment target M10.

[0031] The control unit 500 is communicatively connected to at least the extrusion device 11 and controls the operation of the extrusion device 11. The control unit 500 is a control device including a calculation device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and a communication interface. The control unit 500 may also be communicatively connected to the secondary battery 200, the separation device 300, and the irradiation device 140 and control the extrusion device 11 while acquiring data from these devices.

[0032] The processing system 1 has been described above. In the processing system 1, the irradiation device 140 of the extrusion device 11 irradiates the processing target M10 with microwaves, thereby heating the processing target M10 to a temperature at which it can be separated into hydrogen. The irradiation device 140 also irradiates the processing target M10 with microwaves, thereby heating the processing target M10 to a temperature at which it can be separated into carbon. As a result, the separation device 300 separates and extracts hydrogen from the pyrolyzed processing target M10. The separation device 300 also separates and extracts carbon from the pyrolyzed processing target M10.

[0033] The treatment system 1, with the above-described configuration, recovers hydrogen and carbon from the treatment target M10. The treatment target M10 includes, for example, waste plastic. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly include ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. The treatment system 1 can contribute to ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns by recovering reusable hydrogen and carbon from waste plastic. Furthermore, the treatment system 1 can receive at least a portion of the power for the devices used in the treatment system 1 from renewable energy. This allows the treatment system 1 to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

[0034] Next, the extrusion device 11 will be further described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a configuration diagram of the extrusion device 11. For ease of understanding, the extrusion device 11 is shown partially in cross section. The extrusion device 11 mainly comprises a cylinder 100, a receiving section 110, a screw 121, a decomposition treatment area 130, an irradiation device 140, a delivery port 160, and a valve 161. The extrusion device 11 further comprises a drive device 120, a heating device 171, a cooling mechanism 172, a thermometer 181A, a thermometer 181B, and a pressure gauge 182.

[0035] For convenience of explaining the positional relationships of the components, a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system is used in Fig. 2. Furthermore, when Cartesian coordinate systems are used in Fig. 3 and subsequent figures, the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions in Fig. 2 coincide with the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions of these Cartesian coordinate systems, respectively.

[0036] The cylinder 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape and accommodates a screw 121. The cylinder 100 extends in the left-right direction, and a drive unit 120 is connected to the upstream end corresponding to the left side. The cylinder 100 also has a receiving section 110 at the upper part of the upstream side. The cylinder 100 also has a delivery port 160 at the downstream end corresponding to the right side in FIG. 2 .

[0037] The drive device 120 includes a drive unit for driving the screw 121. The drive unit includes, for example, a motor and a reducer. The drive device 120 has a mechanism for rotating the screw 121. Note that the rotation of the screw 121 refers to the rotation of the screw 121 along the axis of the screw 121. By rotating, the screw 121 transports the processing object M10 downstream.

[0038] The receiving section 110 includes a first receiving section 111 and a second receiving section 112. The first receiving section 111 is located relatively upstream of the second receiving section 112. The second receiving section 112 is located relatively downstream of the first receiving section 111. The first receiving section 111 is an inlet for receiving the resin M11. The second receiving section 112 is an inlet for receiving the catalyst M12.

[0039] The receiving unit 110 may have a feeder or a hopper. In this case, the receiving unit 110 may have a function of adjusting the amount of catalyst M12 according to the amount of resin M11 to be introduced. Alternatively, the receiving unit 110 may have a function of adjusting the amount of resin M11 according to the amount of catalyst M12 to be introduced. With this configuration, the extrusion device 11 can improve the degree of freedom in combining the resin M11 and the catalyst M12.

[0040] The screw 121 is rotatably supported by a drive device 120 provided at the upstream end of the cylinder 100. The screw 121 transports the treatment object M10, which includes the resin M11 and the catalyst M12, while mixing them. The screw 121 has at least a shaft extending from the upstream side to the downstream side and a spiral flight provided around the shaft. In addition to the spiral flight, the screw 121 may have an uneven shape for stirring or kneading the treatment object M10.

[0041] The screw 121 shown in Fig. 2 has flights from the upstream side supported by the drive device 120 to just before the decomposition treatment zone 130. The screw 121 does not have flights in the decomposition treatment zone 130. The screw 121 has a pyrolysis section 122 formed in a cylindrical or barrel shape in the decomposition treatment zone 130. The screw 121 has flights again downstream of the decomposition treatment zone 130. The flighted shape of the screw 121 extends to the vicinity of the delivery port 160.

[0042] The screw 121 transports the treatment target M10 upstream of the decomposition treatment region 130 before it is thermally decomposed to the decomposition treatment region 130, and thereby pushes the treatment target (first product M21 and second product M22) after it has been thermally decomposed downstream from the decomposition treatment region 130. In this way, the extrusion device 11 can transport the treatment target M10 in the decomposition treatment region 130 downstream by rotating the screw 121 on the upstream side.

[0043] Due to the above-described shape, the screw 121 transports the resin M11 and the catalyst M12 to the decomposition treatment region 130 while stirring or kneading them. The screw 121 also suppresses the thermal decomposition section 122 from absorbing microwaves in the decomposition treatment region 130. This allows the extrusion device 11 to efficiently thermally decompose the treatment target M10 in the decomposition treatment region 130. Furthermore, downstream of the decomposition treatment region 130, the screw 121 transports the treatment target M10 (first product M21 and second product M22) after thermal decomposition to the delivery port 160.

[0044] The screw 121 may have a structure for agitating the treatment object M10 in the decomposition treatment area 130. The pitch of the flight of the screw 121 does not have to be uniform. For example, the pitch of the flight of the screw 121 may be set according to the state of the treatment object M10. Alternatively, the pitch of the flight of the screw 121 may be set according to the speed at which the treatment object M10 is transported. The screw 121 may be one or two or more.

[0045] A heating device 171 is provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 100. The heating device 171 heats the treatment target M10 being transported from the receiving section 110 to the decomposition treatment area 130 by the screw 121. By the heating device 171 heating the treatment target M10, the extrusion device 11 efficiently thermally decomposes the treatment target M10 in the decomposition treatment area 130. The heating device 171 includes any heater capable of controlling temperature, such as a sheath heater, a coil heater, or a ceramic heater. The heating device 171 may also be a heat medium heater that circulates a heated fluid.

[0046] The cooling mechanism 172 is a mechanism for suppressing a temperature rise in the cylinder 100. The cooling mechanism 172 includes, for example, a flow path provided within the wall of the cylinder 100 and a means for flowing cooling water through the flow path. By having the cooling mechanism 172 flow cooling water through the flow path provided in the cylinder 100, the extrusion device 11 prevents excessive temperature rise within the cylinder. The flow path of the cylinder 100 provided by the cooling mechanism 172 is divided into multiple sections along the extension direction of the cylinder 100. This allows the cooling mechanism 172 to separately control the cooling state upstream of the decomposition treatment region 130 and the cooling state downstream of the decomposition treatment region 130, for example. In particular, by having the cooling mechanism 172 control the temperature downstream of the decomposition treatment region 130, the extrusion device 11 can more safely process the first product M21. The means for flowing cooling water through the cooling mechanism 172 may be, for example, a chiller unit (not shown) that circulates cooled fluid. The cooling mechanism 172 may also include cooling fins or a cooling fan to precisely control the cooling temperature.

[0047] The delivery port 160 provided at the downstream end of the cylinder 100 is a nozzle-shaped flow path that delivers the transported treatment object M10 (first product M21 and second product M22) to the outside.

[0048] The delivery port 160 is provided with a valve 161 that can be opened and closed freely. The valve 161 can be opened and closed depending on the pressure in the vicinity of the delivery port 160 in the cylinder 100. Alternatively, the opening degree of the valve 161 can be adjusted depending on the pressure in the vicinity of the delivery port 160 in the cylinder 100. By including the valve 161, the extrusion device 11 can prevent the treatment object M10 from flowing back from the separation device 300 connected to it.

[0049] A thermometer 181A is provided in the cylinder 100 upstream of the decomposition treatment area 130. A thermometer 181B and a pressure gauge 182 are provided near the delivery port 160 on the downstream side of the cylinder 100. The thermometer 181B and the pressure gauge 182 measure the temperature or pressure inside the cylinder 100, which are used as indicators for controlling the valve 161.

[0050] The valve 161 may be set to close when the air pressure is below a preset threshold and to open when the air pressure is equal to or greater than the threshold, thereby allowing the extrusion device 11 to safely collect the first product M21.

[0051] An irradiation device 140 is provided in the cylinder 100 at a position adjacent to the decomposition treatment region 130. The irradiation device 140 generates microwaves and irradiates the decomposition treatment region 130 with the microwaves. Therefore, the cylinder 100 has a structure in at least a portion of the decomposition treatment region 130 that allows the microwaves generated by the irradiation device 140 to pass through the decomposition treatment region 130. In other words, at least a portion of the inner wall of the cylinder 100 includes a portion that can irradiate the microwaves to the decomposition treatment region 130.

[0052] The microwave-passable structure may be, for example, a structure in which an antenna for irradiating the microwaves generated by the irradiation device 140 to the decomposition treatment region 130 is exposed. The microwave-passable structure may include, for example, a member that passes the microwaves generated by the irradiation device 140 but does not pass the treatment target M10 or the pyrolyzed first product M21 and second product M22.

[0053] The irradiation device 140 may include a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the decomposition processing region 130. The irradiation device 140 may include a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of the decomposition processing region 130. The irradiation device 140 may also include an inverter. The inverter controllably changes the microwave output by changing the operating voltage of the magnetron.

[0054] In the above-described extrusion device 11, the processing regions can be defined as region P1, region P2, region P3, region P4, region P5, and region P6 from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0055] The region P1 is a transport region. In the region P1, the screw 121 transports the received treatment object M10 (resin M11 and catalyst M12) downstream. The screw 121 can also apply pressure to the received treatment object M10 while transporting it.

[0056] Zone P2 is a heating zone. In zone P2, the screw 121 conveys the treatment object M10 (resin M11 and catalyst M12) to the decomposition treatment zone 130 while stirring and kneading the treatment object M10. At this time, the heating device 171 heats the treatment object M10 being conveyed.

[0057] Region P3 is a reaction region. In region P3, the irradiation device 140 pyrolyzes the treatment object M10 into a first product M21 and a second product M22. The treatment object M10 pyrolyzed in region P3 is pushed downstream by the treatment object M10 being transported from region P2.

[0058] The region P4 is a conveying region, in which the screw 121 conveys the first product M21 and the second product M22 thermally decomposed by the irradiation device 140 downstream.

[0059] Zone P5 is a cooling zone. In zone P5, the screw 121 transports the pyrolyzed first product M21 and second product M22 to zone P6. At this time, in zone P5, the cooling mechanism 172 controls the cooling of the transported first product M21 and second product M22. By cooling the first product M21 and second product M22 in zone P5, a user of the extrusion device 11 can use the extrusion device 11 safely.

[0060] The region P6 is a discharge region. In the region P6, the first product M21 and the second product M22 that have been pyrolyzed and then cooled are discharged to the discharge port 160.

[0061] With the above-described configuration, the extrusion device 11 can continuously and efficiently recover reusable materials.

[0062] Next, a processing method executed by the processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the processing method according to the first embodiment. The processing shown below may be, for example, instructions issued by the control unit 500 to each component.

[0063] First, the extrusion device 11 adjusts the temperature of the cylinder 100, which is a processing furnace (step S11). More specifically, the heating device 171 of the extrusion device 11 adjusts the temperature of, for example, the heating region P2 so that the temperature is within a preset range. If the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the extrusion device 11, for example, flows cooling water through a flow path provided in the cylinder. In this way, the extrusion device 11 adjusts the temperature of the cylinder 100 so that it is at the set temperature.

[0064] Next, the receiving section 110 of the extrusion device 11 receives the processing object M10 (or the resin M11 and the catalyst M12) into the cylinder 100 (step S12).

[0065] Next, in the extrusion device 11, the heating device 171 heats the treatment object M10 received, and the screw 121 rotates to convey the treatment object M10 while stirring or kneading it (step S13). The screw 121 supplies the heated and kneaded treatment object M10 to the decomposition treatment area 130 provided downstream.

[0066] Next, the irradiation device 140 irradiates microwaves onto the treatment object M10 that has been transported to the decomposition treatment area 130 (step S14). The treatment object M10 is transported downstream while being thermally decomposed by the microwaves.

[0067] Next, the extrusion device 11 extrudes the treatment object M10 (the first product M21 and the second product M22) after being thermally decomposed in the decomposition treatment area 130 from the delivery port 160 to the outside of the cylinder 100 (step S15).

[0068] Next, the separation device 300 of the processing system 1 separates and extracts the decomposed substances from the processing target M10 received from the extrusion device 11 (step S16). More specifically, for example, the separation device 300 of the processing system 1 separates and extracts a first product M21 from the processing target M10. Alternatively, the separation device 300 further separates and extracts hydrogen from the first product M21. Furthermore, the separation device 300 separates and extracts a second product M22 from the processing target M10. Alternatively, the separation device 300 further separates and extracts carbon from the second product M22. Once the separation device 300 has separated and extracted the above substances, the processing system 1 ends the processing.

[0069] Once the above-described process is started, steps S12 to S16 are continuously executed in parallel. By continuously executing the above-described processes, the processing system 1 continuously and efficiently pyrolyzes the processing target M10.

[0070] Although the embodiment has been described above, the configuration or functions of the processing system 1 are not limited to those described above. The control unit 500 may control the relationship between the rotation speed of the screw 121 and the magnitude of the irradiation output of the microwaves irradiated by the irradiation device 140.

[0071] For example, the control unit 500 may control at least one of the microwave irradiation output or the rotation speed of the screw 121 so that the measured temperatures of the thermometer 181A attached upstream of the irradiation device 140 and the thermometer 181B attached downstream reach a preset temperature.

[0072] In this case, when the temperature (first temperature) measured by thermometer 181A is lower than the set temperature, control unit 500 may perform control such as increasing the microwave irradiation output, slowing the rotation speed of screw 121, and increasing the output of heating device 171 attached to cylinder 100. Furthermore, when the temperature (first temperature) measured by thermometer 181A is equal to or higher than the set temperature, control unit 500 may perform control such as decreasing the microwave irradiation output, increasing the rotation speed of screw 121, and decreasing the output of heating device 171 attached to cylinder 100.

[0073] Furthermore, when the temperature (second temperature) measured by thermometer 181B is lower than the set temperature, control unit 500 may perform control such as increasing the microwave irradiation output, slowing the rotation speed of screw 121, or increasing the output of heating device 171 attached to cylinder 100. Furthermore, when the temperature (second temperature) measured by thermometer 181B is equal to or higher than the set temperature, control unit 500 may perform control such as decreasing the microwave irradiation output, increasing the rotation speed of screw 121, or decreasing the output of heating device 171 attached to cylinder 100.

[0074] The control unit 500 having the above-described functions allows the extrusion device 11 to continuously and suitably process the processing object M10 while performing feedback control.

[0075] The above has described Embodiment 1. With the above-described configuration, this embodiment can provide an extrusion device, a processing system, and a processing method that efficiently recover reusable substances.

[0076] 4 is a configuration diagram of an extrusion device 12 according to a second embodiment. The extrusion device 12 differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the screw 121. The extrusion device 12 also differs from the first embodiment in the configuration related to the treatment of the treatment target M10 after pyrolysis.

[0077] The screw 121 according to this embodiment extends from the drive device 120 to the decomposition treatment area 130, but does not extend to the vicinity of the delivery port 160. In other words, the extrusion device 12 does not use the screw 121 to transport the first product M21 and the second product M22 after thermal decomposition.

[0078] In the extrusion device 12, the cylinder 100 has a residue discharge port 163 at a lower portion between the decomposition treatment region 130 and the delivery port 160. The extrusion device 12 discharges the second product M22 from this residue discharge port 163. The cylinder 100 has a slope on the upstream side of the residue discharge port 163. By having the slope, the extrusion device 12 makes it easier for the second product M22 to flow into the residue discharge port 163.

[0079] The outlet 160 according to the present embodiment delivers the first product M21. The outlet 160 according to the present embodiment is provided relatively higher on the cylinder 100 compared to the cylinder 100 shown in the first embodiment. This makes it easier for the outlet 160 to deliver the first product M21, which is a gas, while preventing liquids and solids from being delivered from the outlet 160.

[0080] With the above-described configuration, the extrusion device 12 can easily separate the first product M21 and the second product M22 after pyrolysis. The residue discharge port 163 may include, for example, a gear pump. This allows the extrusion device 12 to prevent the first product M21 from flowing out of the residue discharge port 163.

[0081] This completes the description of embodiment 2. With the above-described configuration, this embodiment can provide an extrusion device, a processing system, and a processing method that efficiently separate and recover reusable substances.

[0082] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the invention. For example, the screw and cylinder of the extruder according to the present disclosure are not limited to a twin-screw extruder. The screw and cylinder of the extruder according to the present disclosure may be a single-screw extruder.

[0083] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-150840, filed September 19, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

[0084] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Processing system 11 Extrusion device 12 Extrusion device 90 Wind power generation system 100 Cylinder 110 Receiving section 111 First receiving section 112 Second receiving section 120 Drive device 121 Screw 122 Pyrolysis section 130 Decomposition treatment area 140 Irradiation device 150 Injection section 160 Delivery outlet 161 Valve 163 Residue discharge outlet 171 Heating device 172 Cooling mechanism 181 Thermometer 182 Pressure gauge 200 Secondary battery 300 Separation device 301 First separation device 302 Second separation device 310 Delivery pipe 320 Discharge outlet 400 Storage container 500 Control unit 610 Conveyance drive unit M10 Treatment object M11 Resin M12 Catalyst M21 First product M22 second product

Claims

1. An extrusion device comprising: a cylinder having a receiving section that receives an object to be treated from the outside; a screw that is rotatably accommodated in the cylinder and transports the object to be treated received from the receiving section downstream while rotating; a decomposition processing area which is a space set in the cylinder; an irradiation device that irradiates microwaves to the object to be treated in the decomposition processing area; and a discharge outlet which is a flow path for sending the object to be treated that has been irradiated with microwaves and transported downstream out of the cylinder.

2. The extrusion device described in claim 1, wherein the screw transports the object to be treated before it is thermally decomposed upstream of the decomposition treatment zone to the decomposition treatment zone, and extrudes the object to be treated after it has been thermally decomposed downstream of the decomposition treatment zone.

3. The extrusion device of claim 1, further comprising: a heating device for heating the object to be treated in a region between the receiving section and the decomposition processing area; and a cooling mechanism for cooling the object to be treated after being thermally decomposed in a region between the decomposition processing area and the discharge outlet.

4. The extrusion device of claim 1, wherein the cylinder has a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in the vicinity of the outlet, the outlet has a valve configured to open and close in response to a predetermined pressure, and the valve is configured to close when the pressure is less than a predetermined threshold and to open when the pressure is equal to or greater than the threshold.

5. An extrusion device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the receiving section receives the treatment object containing at least a resin, and the irradiation device irradiates the treatment object with microwaves to thermally decompose the treatment object so that at least hydrogen can be separated.

6. The extrusion device described in claim 5, wherein the receiving section includes a first receiving section for receiving the resin and a second receiving section for receiving a catalyst for promoting thermal decomposition, and the screw transports the treatment object containing the resin and the catalyst while mixing them.

7. The extrusion device according to claim 6, wherein the irradiation device thermally decomposes the object to be treated by irradiating the object with microwaves having a frequency of 300 MHz to 30 GHz.

8. An extrusion device as described in claim 5, further comprising: a thermometer for measuring the temperature inside the cylinder in the vicinity of the decomposition treatment area; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the microwave irradiation output or the rotation speed of the screw in accordance with the temperature measured by the thermometer, wherein the control unit increases the microwave irradiation output, slows the rotation speed of the screw, or increases the temperature of the cylinder when the temperature indicated by the thermometer provided in the cylinder upstream of the irradiation device is less than a predetermined first temperature.

9. An extrusion device as described in claim 5, further comprising: a thermometer for measuring the temperature inside the cylinder in the vicinity of the decomposition treatment area; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the microwave irradiation output or the rotation speed of the screw in accordance with the temperature measured by the thermometer, wherein the control unit reduces the microwave irradiation output, increases the rotation speed of the screw, or increases the temperature of the cylinder when the temperature indicated by the thermometer is equal to or higher than a preset second temperature.

10. The extrusion device according to claim 5, further comprising a control unit for controlling the rotation speed of the screw, the magnitude of the microwave irradiation output irradiated by the irradiation device, and the temperature of the cylinder.

11. A treatment system comprising: an extrusion apparatus according to claim 5; and a separation apparatus that separates and extracts the hydrogen from the treatment target discharged from the discharge port of the extrusion apparatus.

12. The treatment system according to claim 11, wherein the irradiation device of the extrusion device pyrolyzes the treatment object so that carbon can be further separated by irradiating the microwaves, and the separation device further separates and extracts carbon from the pyrolyzed treatment object.

13. The processing system according to claim 11, further comprising a secondary battery that supplies power to the irradiation device.

14. The processing system according to claim 13, wherein the secondary battery is capable of storing electricity generated by renewable energy.

15. A processing method comprising: receiving an object to be treated inside a cylinder; transporting the received object downstream by rotating a screw contained in the cylinder; irradiating microwaves onto the object to be treated in a decomposition processing area which is a space set in the cylinder; and sending the object to be treated downstream after being irradiated with microwaves out of the cylinder.

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