Process-chain feed

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for feeding at least one process chain of a sorting installation for recycling, waste and / or circular economy by controlling a charging unit, the method comprising the method steps: a) feeding a charging unit with a starting material; b) metering the starting material by means of the charging unit; c) feeding the sorting installation by means of the metered starting material; d) acquiring data relating to a non-mass-based extensive variable in order to describe the quantity of the metered starting material; e) controlling the charging unit by means of the acquired data.

Description

[0001] PROCESS CHAIN ​​FEEDING

[0002] Description:

[0003] The present invention relates to the technical field of the control of sorting systems in the area of ​​recycling, waste and / or circular economy.

[0004] Devices and methods for controlling sorting systems in the recycling, waste management, and / or circular economy sectors are already known in the art. In these systems, a material flow of input material, shredded by a pre-shredding unit, is supplied on a conveyor belt. The control of a sorting system is achieved by monitoring the mass flow rate to ensure efficient and stable sorting of material streams. In a given sorting system, the mass flow rate can be understood as the quantity of material flowing through the system per unit of time, typically measured in tons per hour (t / h). This flow rate is usually fed from a hopper or by manual loading, for example, by an operator with a wheel loader or a manually operated or automated crane system. Controlling the mass flow rate in a sorting system is crucial for efficient material separation.By using sensors, control units and control algorithms, the mass flow can be continuously monitored and adjusted to optimize the plant's performance and avoid problems.

[0005] A disadvantage of mass flow-based control, particularly in the recycling, waste management, and / or circular economy sectors, is that the input materials often vary considerably in density and / or basis weight, leading to significant discrepancies between mass and volume or area fraction. For example, water increases the mass of wet waste, which is many times greater than that of dry waste. While the water itself is not a material that directly impacts the system's capacity, it can sometimes cause blockages or reduced sorting performance, as near-infrared sensors, for instance, can be easily affected by water. Another example of a mass or volume change is the addition or mixing of other materials, such as when burst bales are fed into the system from an output.In waste sorting, the raw material, which originates from different collection areas and implies different compositions (rural collection vs. urban collections), is delivered using different collection vehicles (compact truck, loose collection, baled goods), which can result in very different bulk densities depending on the collection vehicle.

[0006] Accordingly, a highly variable reduction in bulk density can be expected from the first element of the system (e.g., a pre-shredder, a bale opener, a metering roller, or a bag opener). The heterogeneity of the input material represents a significant difference compared to typical bulk materials.

[0007] The object of the invention is therefore to improve the control of such a sorting system and to avoid side effects caused by mass carriers not included in the sorting process.

[0008] The technical objective of the invention is therefore to propose a solution for improving the state of the art and to suggest alternatives.

[0009] The technical problem is solved by an object with the technical features according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0010] All features described in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the object according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0011] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the patent claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or illustrated in the figures.

[0012] Although the invention is described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention.

[0013] For the purposes of the invention, the term "feed unit" can also refer, for example, to a pre-shredding unit, a metering roller, or similar systems such as bag openers or shredders. Furthermore, for the purposes of the invention, the term "feed material" can refer, for example, to waste or recyclable material to be separated, in particular solid waste materials.

[0014] Furthermore, in the context of the invention, a non-mass-based extensive quantity for describing the amount of starting material can be understood to mean, for example, a volume flow rate, an area flow rate, or a number flow rate.

[0015] Furthermore, in the context of the invention, dosing the starting material can be understood to mean, for example, crushing or loosening the starting material, but also, for example, opening a starting material that is present as a container and thereby distributing it.

[0016] According to one aspect, the technical problem of the invention is solved by a method for feeding at least one process chain of a sorting plant for the recycling, waste and / or circular economy by means of controlling a feed unit, the method comprising the process steps: a) feeding a feed unit with a starting material; b) dosing the starting material by means of the feed unit; c) feeding the sorting plant by means of the dosed starting material; d) acquiring data of a non-mass-based extensive quantity to describe the quantity of the dosed starting material; e) controlling the feed unit by means of the acquired data.

[0017] This can advantageously create an alternative method for operating, controlling, and / or regulating sorting systems, which in particular minimizes potential disruptive factors such as the moisture or water content of the input material. For example, the mass flow rate is crucial for a user, especially a waste disposal company, but the system is optimized for a volumetric flow rate. In this case, such a distinction can be advantageously avoided, allowing the system to be used more effectively.

[0018] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment of the process, the starting material is polydisperse heterogeneous waste material, in particular waste material exhibiting a variable particle size and composition distribution. A polydisperse and heterogeneous bulk material, which can also be described as a multiphase bulk material, is a bulk material consisting of particles with highly diverse particle sizes, densities, compositions, and moisture contents. It does not exhibit a uniform particle morphology or distribution and therefore behaves complexly during storage, transport, mixing, or separation. Such materials are often difficult to classify, convey, or process homogeneously because they tend to segregate, bridge, experience flow problems, or undergo inconsistent processing.

[0019] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, the feed unit is designed as a pre-crushing unit.

[0020] This allows for the advantageous application and use of already established and well-known techniques.

[0021] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the method is intended for controlling the entire sorting plant and / or for controlling at least one of several parallel process chains.

[0022] This approach allows for the advantageous control of various process chains, such as one for three-dimensional plastics, one for films, one for paper, and one for the remaining input material. In particular, volume can be used as an indicator of the utilization of all process chains or lines, thus evaluating not only the overall throughput but also the throughput of individual lines without having to measure it directly within those lines.

[0023] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the method further comprises the following process steps: f) Acquisition, in particular calculation, of bulk density data and / or basis weight data, in particular by means of acquisition of volume flow data and / or basis weight data and of acquisition of mass flow data; g) Control of the feed unit by means of the bulk density data, wherein the bulk density is in particular between 1 and 2000 kg / m³ 3 and / or the basis weight, especially between 0.001 kg / m² 2 up to 1000 kg / m² 2 This is advantageous. It can create a cost-effective way to carry out the procedure more easily and, if necessary, faster.

[0024] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the method further comprises the following process steps: h) Acquisition of, in particular volume-based and / or area-based and / or mass-based and / or number-based, throughput information regarding the utilization of the process chains of the sorting plant supplied with the input material.

[0025] This can advantageously improve the process further.

[0026] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the data of the non-mass-based extensive quantity are recorded as volume flow data or as area flow data, or that the volume flow data are used as a proxy variable for area flow data.

[0027] Due to the high heterogeneity of the composition of the input material in recycling and waste sorting, mass flow analysis is prone to errors. For example, a high water content in wet waste can result in a significant mass input without negatively impacting the sorting performance of the system. Volumetric flow rate or area flow rate data are more appropriate, as the process chains in sorting plants typically have a volume- or area-based limit for sorting performance. Advantageously, measuring volumetric flow rate at the beginning of a process chain or sorting plant also implies the throughput evaluation of a completely different measured variable, such as area flow rate. To indirectly determine area flow rate, the volumetric flow rate is measured and interpreted as a proxy variable, based on a fixed or assumed bulk density and cross-sectional area.The area flow rate is thus derived from the volume flow rate under defined assumptions. A proxy variable (also called a substitute variable) is a measured quantity used as a substitute that does not itself directly describe the characteristic of interest, but is related to it and can therefore be used as an indicator or estimator.

[0028] Furthermore, in a technically advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the data of the non-mass-based extensive quantity volume flow are recorded and additionally data of a mass flow are recorded in such a way that a bulk density, in particular in real time, is calculated and incorporated into the control of the feed unit.

[0029] This allows conclusions to be drawn about the composition of the starting material, such as films with a low bulk density of approximately 5 kg / m³. 3or three-dimensional plastics with a high bulk density of approximately 35 kg / m³ 3 This allows for predictions regarding the utilization of various process chains. It is particularly relevant here that volume flows are not simply added together, as pore volumes can be filled by smaller objects without increasing the overall volume. Simultaneously, the addition of three-dimensional particles could even reduce the volume of a film fraction. Thus, the bulk density would change more significantly and in the opposite direction to the total volume of the material flow.

[0030] Furthermore, such a measurement of the bulk density could then be used advantageously to optimize the utilization of the process chains both during the measurement at the beginning of the plant and within the various process chains, for example by means of changes to a dosing unit or feed unit.

[0031] According to a further aspect, the technical problem of the invention is solved by a device, in particular a sorting system for the recycling, waste and / or circular economy, preferably for feeding a sorting system of the recycling and / or waste supply industry, comprising a feed unit for comminuting a feed material, a feed device, in particular a conveyor belt, wherein the feed device is designed to feed the comminuted feed material, in particular as a volume flow of the comminuted feed material, to at least one process chain of the sorting system, control electronics, measuring sensors, in particular a belt scale, wherein the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

[0032] The aforementioned advantages can therefore also be realized with a suitably designed device.

[0033] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the device, the feed unit is designed as a pre-shredding unit.

[0034] This allows for the advantageous application and use of established and well-known techniques. In a technically advantageous embodiment of the device, it is provided that the device comprises at least partially several parallel process chains, wherein, in particular, the control electronics include at least one volume flow sensor at the beginning of each of the various process chains and / or wherein, in particular, the control electronics include at least one volume flow sensor downstream of the feed unit.

[0035] Advantageously, the control-related bottleneck of the entire device or various process chains can thus function as a kind of master in the sense of a hierarchical management of the device's control.

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures and are described in more detail below.

[0037] It shows

[0038] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a method for feeding at least one process chain of a sorting plant.

[0039] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a method for feeding at least one process chain of a sorting plant 3 in the recycling and / or waste management industry by means of controlling a feed unit 2. The method comprises the following process steps: a) feeding a feed unit with an input material 1; b) dosing the input material by means of the feed unit 2; c) feeding the sorting plant 3, 4 with the dosed input material 1; d) acquiring data of a non-mass-based extensive quantity 8, 11 to describe the quantity of the dosed input material 1; e) controlling the feed unit 2, 6 using the acquired data.

[0040] Material flows 9 are represented by solid arrows and data flows 5 by dashed arrows in Figure 1. A feed material 1 is fed to a feed unit 2, which may be designed, for example, as a pre-shredder or metering roller, and which meters the feed material 1. The metered feed material is then fed to a pre-processing unit 4, where it is processed, for example, by sieving, air classification, ballistic separation, or similar methods.

[0041] Here, volume and / or area flow data 8 and / or mass flow data 11 are used to control and / or regulate the feed unit 2 by means of measuring sensors (not shown) and control electronics, represented by an example computer 6. From the pre-processing unit 4, a sorting cascade, comprising, for example, sensor-based sorters and / or eddy current separators and / or similar devices, is fed, resulting in the output fraction 7.

[0042] Reference symbol list:

[0043] 1. Starting material

[0044] 2 Feed unit 3 Sorting system

[0045] 4. Pre-preparation

[0046] 5 data streams

[0047] 6 computers

[0048] 7 Output fractions 8 Volume / area flow data

[0049] 9 Material flows

[0050] 10 sorting cascade

[0051] 11 Mass flow data

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for feeding at least one process chain of a sorting plant for the recycling, waste and / or circular economy by means of controlling a feed unit, the method comprising the following process steps: a) feeding a feed unit with an input material; b) dosing the input material by means of the feed unit; c) feeding the sorting plant with the dosed input material; d) acquiring data of a non-mass-based extensive quantity to describe the quantity of the dosed input material; e) controlling the feed unit by means of the acquired data.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the starting material is polydisperse heterogeneous waste material, in particular waste material which has a variable particle size and material composition distribution.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed unit is designed as a pre-crushing unit.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method is provided for controlling the entire sorting plant and / or for controlling at least one of several parallel process chains.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising the following method steps: f) Acquisition, in particular calculation, of bulk density data and / or basis weight data, in particular by means of an acquisition of volume flow data and / or basis weight data and an acquisition of mass flow data; g) Control of the feed unit using bulk density data and / or basis weight data, wherein the bulk density is in particular between 1 and 2000 kg / m³ 3 and / or wherein the basis weight is in particular between 0.001 kg / m² 2up to 1000 kg / m² 2 amounts.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising the following method steps: h) detection of, in particular volume-based and / or area-based and / or mass-based and / or count-based, Throughput information regarding the utilization of the sorting plant's process chains supplied with the input material.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data of the non-mass-based extensive quantity are recorded as volume flow data or as area flow data, or that the volume flow data are used as a proxy variable for area flow data.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data of the non-mass-based extensive quantity volume flow are recorded and additionally data of a mass flow are recorded in such a way that a bulk density, in particular in real time, is calculated and incorporated into the control of the feed unit.

9. Device, in particular sorting plant for the recycling, waste and / or circular economy, preferably for feeding a sorting plant of the recycling and / or waste supply industry, comprising a feed unit for shredding an input material, a feeding device, in particular a conveyor belt, wherein the feeding device is designed to feed the crushed starting material, in particular as a volume flow of the crushed starting material, to at least one process chain of the sorting system, control electronics, measuring sensors, in particular a belt scale, characterized in that the device is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed unit is designed as a pre-crushing unit.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises at least partially several parallel process chains, wherein in particular the control electronics comprise at least and in particular one volume flow sensor at the beginning of different process chains and / or wherein in particular the control electronics comprise at least and in particular one volume flow sensor after the feed unit.

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