Method for generating sorting data for subsequent sorting of a material mixture, and computer program product

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for generating sorting data (SD) for subsequent sorting of a material mixture (100) according to at least one sorting criterion (SK), said method comprising the following steps: - conveying the material mixture (100) along a conveying direction (FR), - irradiating the conveyed material mixture (100) with X-ray radiation (RS) from an irradiation side (110) of the material mixture (100) along a radiation direction (SR) transverse to the conveying direction (FR), - detecting diffracted X-ray radiation (RS) along a detection direction (DR) which has an acute diffraction angle (BW) to the radiation direction (SR) on a detection side (120) of the material mixture (100) which is arranged on the other side of the material mixture (100) relative to the irradiation side (110), - evaluating the detected, diffracted X-ray radiation (RS) with regard to the material composition (MZ) of the conveyed material mixture (100), - comparing the material composition (MZ) with the at least one sorting criterion (SK), - generating and outputting the sorting data (SD) on the basis of the comparison in order to differentiate between at least two different quality levels of the material mixture (100).

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR GENERATING SORTING DATA FOR SUBSEQUENT SORTING OF A MIXTURE OF MATERIAL, AS WELL AS COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for generating sorting data for subsequent sorting of a mixture of materials, a computer program product for carrying out such a method, and a generating device for carrying out such a method.

[0003] It is generally known that mixed materials for different applications require sorting according to different criteria. One example is the sorting of mixed materials in the form of residual waste. Residual waste can contain recyclables, such as batteries or similar items, which should be specifically separated from other, less valuable components of the residual waste. Another application is, for example, the mining of precious metals. Here, a large quantity of mined material is typically produced, which then needs to be processed further as a mixed material. This processing, such as the extraction of precious metals like gold or diamonds, is energy-intensive and / or involves the use of chemicals.Sorting is also necessary here, so that the subsequent processing of the precious metal only takes place for the part of the material mixture that contains a sufficient proportion of precious metal or other valuable components.

[0004] Known sorting devices are equipped with corresponding sorting capabilities, which are based, for example, on laser technology or cameras. While these are generally capable of providing information about the contents of individual objects within the material mixture, for example, through optical data, their actual significance regarding the materials located inside the objects is very limited. This leads to either an undesirably high reject rate, resulting in the loss of valuable materials, or an undesirably poor sorting result, so that less valuable materials also end up in the recycling process or are incorrectly classified as valuable when sorting residual waste. The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages described above.In particular, the object of the present invention is to improve the sorting of material mixtures according to recyclable materials in a cost-effective and simple manner.

[0005] The foregoing problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1, a computer program product with the features of claim 13, and a generation device with the features of claim 14. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the method according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the computer program product and the generation device according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes, or can make, reciprocal references.

[0006] According to the invention, the method serves to generate sorting data for subsequent sorting of material mixtures according to at least one sorting criterion. Such a method comprises the following steps:

[0007] - Conveying the material mixture along a conveying direction,

[0008] - Irradiation of the conveyed material mixture with X-rays from one side of the material mixture along a radiation direction perpendicular to the conveying direction,

[0009] - Detecting diffracted X-rays along a detection direction which has an acute diffraction angle to the radiation direction, on a detection side of the material mixture which is located on the other side of the material mixture relative to the irradiation side,

[0010] Evaluation of the detected, diffracted X-rays with regard to the material composition of the conveyed material mixture, comparison of the material composition with at least one sorting criterion,

[0011] - Generating and outputting sorting data based on the comparison performed to distinguish between at least two different quality levels of the material mixture.

[0012] A method according to the invention addresses the problem of sorting material mixtures as precisely and accurately as possible with regard to different quality levels of the materials they contain. This can be used, for example, in the sorting tasks described above for sorting residual waste, but also, and especially, in sorting mining waste with regard to precious metals.

[0013] Typically, such material mixtures are conveyed along conveyor devices that operate at high speeds and / or have a wide conveying width. In particular, very large quantities of material are involved, so the conveyor device can, for example, have a conveying width of up to three meters or more. The concept of the invention lies in using X-ray diffraction technology for detection and subsequent sorting. For this purpose, the material mixture is irradiated with X-rays from one side, essentially across the entire conveying width and thus perpendicular to the conveying direction. The diffracted X-rays are detected on the opposite side of the material mixture along a detection direction that has an acute diffraction angle relative to the radiation direction.This makes it possible to apply an X-ray diffraction analysis to the entire conveying width of the conveying device and, accordingly, to analyze the material mixture with regard to the diffraction properties of the conveyed material mixture to the X-ray radiation across the entire conveying width.

[0014] Applying X-ray diffraction technology across the entire conveyor width now allows diffracted X-rays to be used across the entire width, particularly in the spatially resolved manner explained later. Diffracted X-rays, with respect to the diffraction angle and the intensity with which X-rays can be detected along that angle, provide information about the specific material present in the mixture or its composition. X-rays are diffracted to varying degrees by different materials with different diffraction properties, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the material composition from these diffraction characteristics.In the context of the present invention, an evaluation of the detected, diffracted X-rays with regard to the material composition is therefore to be understood as meaning that this material composition can be represented either explicitly and / or with regard to the diffraction properties of the detected X-rays for the corresponding material. It is not yet necessary at this stage to actually evaluate and specify the respective material or its composition. Rather, for the purposes of the invention, it suffices if the evaluation with regard to the material composition provides indications or distinguishing features for different materials. This applies particularly when a very targeted and focused search for a single material or very few materials is to be carried out.

[0015] X-ray diffraction technology allows for the corresponding analysis and subsequent comparison of the material composition with at least one sorting criterion. This criterion could be the presence or absence of a specific target material. For example, if mining material is to be analyzed for its gold content, the sorting criterion could be the presence or absence of gold in individual rock fragments within the material mixture. Quantitative analysis is also possible, as quantitative data can be derived from the specific X-ray diffraction patterns of the individual materials. For instance, a quantitative sorting criterion for gold could represent the probability of exceeding a minimum gold content in the respective rock fragments.In addition to a reference to specific objects such as rock fragments in the material mixture, an object-independent evaluation is also conceivable, especially for different width sections of the conveying width.

[0016] By comparing the material with the sorting criterion, it is now possible to classify individual components or even individual objects within the material mixture, such as rock fragments or residual waste items, into different quality levels according to the sorting criterion. At least two quality levels are present, specifically a first and a second quality level. For example, the first quality level could indicate usability, and the second quality level could indicate rejectability of the respective object within the material mixture. Such an evaluation allows the sorting data to be output based on the sorting criterion and the material composition in such a way that appropriate sorting can take place downstream in the direction of conveyance.

[0017] Regarding the use of the sorting data, it should be noted that this data can, of course, be adapted to a wide variety of sorting devices. In the simplest case, this involves a diverting device capable of redirecting the entire flow of the material mixture in one direction or the other, depending on the detected quality level. Accordingly, a separate and specific collection or conveying area is provided for each quality level after this diverting device. However, significantly more complex sorting devices are also conceivable. These include multiple diverting devices, the targeted removal of individual objects, or even the use of gripping devices to grasp individual objects within the material mixture. This allows the sorting data to be applied to a single sorting device for two or more quality levels.In the simplest case of the aforementioned switch device, the sorting data can therefore simply mean a switching operation. However, it is preferable to provide the spatial resolution explained later in order to enable the targeted extraction or picking out of individual objects, or to otherwise mechanically provide the targeted separation and sorting of the desired quality criteria for the material mixture or even individual objects within the material mixture.

[0018] It can be advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the material mixture has a width-to-width orientation transverse to the conveying direction, wherein the radiation direction is oriented transversely, and in particular perpendicularly, to a conveying plane defined by the width-to-width and conveying directions. In other words, the X-ray irradiation is carried out from the top of the material mixture and there essentially perpendicular to the aforementioned conveying plane. The detection is performed on the opposite underside of the conveying device and thus below the conveying plane. Because the radiation direction is now oriented essentially perpendicular to the conveying plane, the cross-section of the material mixture to be irradiated is reduced.On a conveyor belt, the material mixture is typically distributed over a surface area, so the minimum thickness of the material mixture is to be expected in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and thus perpendicular to the conveying plane. The smaller the cross-section of the material, the greater the proportion of photons that actually reach the opposite side via X-ray diffraction and are therefore available for detection and subsequent analysis. The higher the proportion of photons that can be made available, the more accurate the result and / or the faster the conveying device can operate.

[0019] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the irradiation with X-rays and the detection of the diffracted X-rays are spatially resolved along the lateral direction, with spatial information being available, particularly along the lateral direction, for the evaluation of the material composition. This spatial resolution or spatial information allows different areas or even different objects to be specifically defined along the lateral direction with regard to the aforementioned quality levels. With high-performance sorting devices, which, for example, operate with gripping elements, it is thus possible to perform object-resolved and therefore targeted gripping and sorting for the different quality levels.In other words, when used for searching for precious metals in mined material, for example, it is possible to specify the quality grade for each extracted rock fragment as an object within the material mixture. Subsequently, for example, gripping elements can be used to pick out the individual rock fragments with high value, i.e., those with a high quality grade, and make them available for further processing and reprocessing. It is also possible to apply a multitude of different quality grades, since such gripping devices, in particular, allow the different objects to be directly grasped and lifted and moved to different reprocessing and reprocessing levels. The resolution along the width of the conveyor enables spatially resolved detection across the entire conveyor width and thus across the entire material mixture moving through that width.

[0020] It can also be advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, at least one optical parameter of the material mixture is additionally detected, wherein the optical parameter particularly includes a geometric extent and / or a geometric shape of an object in the material mixture. Such an optical parameter can, for example, directly detect objects and subsequently provide information on how a gripping device of a sorting device can handle this object. In the simplest case, optical detection devices, two-dimensional or three-dimensional camera devices, laser devices, or similar devices can be used to determine such optical parameters. Determining the geometric extent can, for example, also enable other sorting options, such as the use of sieves or the use of sliding devices transverse to the conveying direction.It is also possible to detect the load quantity of the conveyor device in order to specify, for example, the quantity of objects and / or the thickness of the material mixture, for instance, relative to a load quantity of 20%, 30%, 40%, or similar values. Free areas along the conveyor width can also be detected in this way.

[0021] It is also advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the optical parameter is used in the evaluation with regard to the material composition. This optical parameter, in addition to geometric and spatial information, can provide indications of the expected material composition. For example, when sorting residual waste, the optical parameters can be supplemented to identify battery devices based on their optical characteristics and / or geometric shape. This can be achieved through the geometric design of the battery, its corresponding appearance, and an evaluation of the optical camera data.The evaluation criteria for material composition analysis can be adjusted so that the analysis uses not only diffracted X-rays but also, at least partially, optical parameters. It is also possible to limit the evaluation of X-ray diffraction data to specific areas of the conveyor width to reduce the analysis effort.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the irradiation and / or the detection and / or the processing of the scattered X-rays are adjusted based on the optical parameter. In particular, it can be advantageous if, for example, the conveyor speed is adjusted when dealing with very thin rock fragments, so that the conveyor belt can transport thinner fragments faster and thicker fragments slower. This leads to optimization and thus an increase in the conveying speed. The entire acquisition process, i.e., irradiation, detection, and evaluation, can also be adjusted in this way. This makes it possible to adjust the detection angles, the necessary collimators for the X-ray source, the radiation dose (if technically feasible), and similar parameters.The thicker the material of the mixture, the less diffracted X-ray radiation passes through, and the less accurate the detection becomes due to the reduced number of detected photons. This photon count can be influenced, for example, by changing the amount of radiation or the conveying speed, and the optical parameter can be used as the trigger for this influence.

[0023] Further advantages arise when, in a method according to the invention, the irradiation is focused on a subsection of the material mixture, particularly along a lateral direction, based on the optical parameter. The irradiation can be focused, for example, by means of appropriate collimators, especially if the optical parameter has been determined upstream of the irradiation position. In such a case, it is possible, for example, to focus on particularly large particles in the material mixture, so that a local increase in the radiation dose leads to a corresponding local increase in the number of detectable photons. This also makes it possible, for example, to avoid unwanted scattered radiation by adjusting aperture devices accordingly during focusing.The focusing of the radiation and / or the adjustment of an aperture can utilize the optical information of the optical parameters in the manner mentioned.

[0024] Furthermore, it also offers advantages if the evaluation of the material composition is specifically based on a predefined and limited number of material types from a material list. This is particularly in contrast to an open search, so that, within the scope of the present invention, a targeted search for the aforementioned valuable materials is possible. This could, for example, be a valuable material in waste, such as the battery device already described and mentioned. In the case of mining waste, this could include precious metals, gemstones, or similar materials.

[0025] In particular, it is possible to focus on a single type of material, so that, for example, the extracted material can be analyzed solely with regard to its composition in relation to gold as a precious metal and sorted accordingly. This is significantly easier to implement than an open search for a large number of different materials or even a completely unbiased evaluation of the detected diffracted X-rays.

[0026] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if, in a process according to the preceding paragraph, the presence or absence of a material from the material list in the material mixture is detected purely qualitatively during the evaluation of the material composition. Thus, in the example of gold as a precious material, the presence or absence of gold in an object within the material mixture can be detected, so that, based on the absence or presence of this material, the respective object can be assigned to one or the other quality level for the sorting data. Preferably, this can even be combined with a quantitative analysis, so that, for example, the further quantitative evaluation of the diffracted X-rays is carried out in two stages only for those objects that actually exhibit the desired precious material qualitatively.

[0027] It is also advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the detection of the diffracted X-rays is carried out in an energy-resolved manner. This allows the complexity of the energy resolution to be concentrated primarily on the detection side, enabling the use of correspondingly suitable multichromatic X-ray sources. The energy-resolved detection then allows for a corresponding evaluation of the diffraction angles, as well as the respective wavelengths detected along these diffraction angles. In this way, an even more precise evaluation with regard to the material composition is possible.

[0028] Furthermore, it is also advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the irradiation and / or detection is repeatedly performed in a staggered manner along the conveying direction, particularly in a switchable manner. This configuration can also be understood as a multi-compartment and / or multi-detector. This results in a reduction of the number of detectable photons per compartment and thus per position, but this number can be increased again by summing them across all compartments along the conveying direction. Using a single detector or multiple detectors designed for multi-compartments and featuring correspondingly coded openings in the compartment allows for the use of a single detector. The entire system is particularly well-equipped with a single identical X-ray source, enabling this staggered repetition of the irradiation and / or detection to be carried out with a cost-effective design.

[0029] It is also advantageous if, in a method according to the invention, the irradiation and / or detection is adapted to an evaluation based on a limited quantity and / or a single type of material. As already explained, this can, for example, involve the targeted and specific search for a valuable material. If, for instance, gold or another precious metal is sought in the objects for processing, then a search for a minimum quantity of gold must be assumed. This is particularly distinct from the open-ended, free searches of other X-ray diffraction systems, such as those used for suitcase scanners.

[0030] The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of a method according to the invention. Thus, a computer program product according to the invention also offers the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to a method according to the invention.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a generation device for generating sorting data for subsequent sorting of a material mixture according to at least one sorting criterion. Such a generation device comprises an irradiation module for irradiating a material mixture conveyed along a conveying direction with X-rays from an irradiation side of the material mixture along a defined radiation direction transverse to the conveying direction. A detection module is also provided for detecting diffracted X-rays along a detection direction, which has an acute diffraction angle to the radiation direction, on a detection side of the material mixture, which is arranged on the opposite side of the material mixture relative to the irradiation side.An evaluation module is used to analyze the detected diffracted X-rays with regard to the material composition of the conveyed material mixture. Furthermore, a comparison module is provided for comparing the material composition with at least one sorting criterion, and a generation module is provided for generating and outputting sorting data based on the comparison to distinguish between at least two different quality levels of the material mixture. The irradiation module, the detection module, the evaluation module, the comparison module, and / or the generation module are specifically designed for carrying out a method according to the invention. Thus, a generation device according to the invention offers the same advantages as those explained in detail with reference to a method according to the invention.

[0032] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings schematically show:

[0033] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a generating device according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in top view,

[0034] Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of Figure 2 in a different sorting situation,

[0035] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of a generating device according to the invention.

[0036] Figure 1 schematically shows a production device 10, which can convey a material mixture 100 through a corresponding system with a conveying device along a conveying direction FR. This conveying direction FR lies in a conveying plane FE, and the material mixture 100 comprises a multitude of individual objects O, for example, in the form of residual waste components or rock fragments. The material mixture 100 is irradiated on the irradiation side 110 in a housing by an irradiation module 20 and from there by an X-ray source with X-ray radiation RS along a radiation direction SR. The X-ray radiation RS is diffracted on the underside of the material mixture 100 and detected at an acute angle on the detection side 120 by a detection module 30 and can be further evaluated accordingly.The evaluation takes place in evaluation module 40 and, with the aid of comparison module 50, can now output the relevant information regarding radiation direction SR, detection direction DR, and diffraction angle BW. The resulting information about the material composition MZ is used for generation module 60, which then generates the sorting data SD based on the sorting criterion SK.

[0037] Figures 2 and 3 schematically depict different sorting situations based on different sorting data SD. Figure 2 shows a top view of the conveyor plane FE, which is defined by the conveying direction FR and the width direction BR. A large number of objects O are shown in the material mixture 100, with some objects O represented by cross-hatching and corresponding to a first quality level. The unhatched objects O represent the other quality level. With the simple diverter solution for the sorting device in Figure 2, when a desired high number of objects O with a corresponding amount of material are present in the material mixture 100, the material is introduced into the second sorting section 74.Figure 3 shows a situation with significantly fewer objects O in the material mixture 100, indicated by hatching. Accordingly, the sorting data SD switches the diverter and directs the majority of the material mixture 100 into the first sorting section 100. Of course, much more complex sorting devices, for example, those featuring gripping devices, sliding elements, filter devices, sieves, or similar components, can be used for even more precise sorting.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a further development of the embodiment shown in Figure 1. Here, a more complex setup is provided for the irradiation module 20, such that the X-ray radiation RS is applied at three different positions spaced sequentially along the conveying direction FR and in the lateral direction BR. Similarly, detection on the detection side 120 is performed three times and also sequentially, offset from one another along the conveying direction FR. This allows for increased complexity while simultaneously improving the reliability of the analysis regarding the material composition MZ.

[0039] The preceding explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively by way of examples.

[0040] Reference symbol list

[0041] 10. Generation device

[0042] 20 Irradiation module

[0043] 30 Detection module

[0044] 40 Evaluation module

[0045] 50 Comparison module

[0046] 60 generation module

[0047] 70 sorting device

[0048] 72 first sorting section

[0049] 74 second sorting section

[0050] 100 material mixture

[0051] 110 Irradiation side

[0052] 120 detection page

[0053] SD sorting data

[0054] SK sorting criterion

[0055] MZ Matal composition

[0056] ML Material List

[0057] OP optical parameter

[0058] O object

[0059] FE funding level

[0060] FR Direction of Conveyance

[0061] BR Latitude

[0062] RS X-rays

[0063] SR radiation direction

[0064] DR detection direction

[0065] BW Diffraction Angle

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for generating sorting data (SD) for subsequent sorting of a mixture of materials (100) according to at least one sorting criterion (SK), comprising the following steps: - Conveying the material mixture (100) along a conveying direction (FR), - Irradiation of the conveyed material mixture (100) with X-rays (RS) from one irradiation side (110) of the material mixture (100) along a radiation direction (SR) perpendicular to the conveying direction (FR), - Detecting diffracted X-ray radiation (RS) along a detection direction (DR) which has an acute diffraction angle (BW) to the radiation direction (SR) on a detection side (120) of the material mixture (100) which is arranged relative to the irradiation side (110) on the other side of the material mixture (100), - Evaluation of the detected, diffracted X-ray radiation (RS) with regard to the material composition (MZ) of the conveyed material mixture (100), - Comparison of the material composition (MZ) with at least one sorting criterion (SK), - Generating and outputting the sorting data (SD) based on the comparison performed to distinguish between at least two different quality levels of the material mixture (100).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the material mixture (100) has an extension in a lateral direction (BR) transverse to the conveying direction (FR), wherein the radiation direction (SR) is oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a conveying plane (FE) spanned by the lateral direction (BR) and the conveying direction (FR).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the irradiation with X-rays (RS) and the detection of the diffracted X-rays (RS) along the latitude direction (BR) are spatially resolved, wherein the material composition (MZ) has spatial information along the latitude direction (BR) during evaluation.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one optical parameter (OP) of the material mixture (100) is additionally detected, wherein the optical parameter (OP) in particular includes a geometric extent and / or a geometric shape of an object (0) in the material mixture (100).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the optical parameter (OP) is used in the evaluation with regard to the material composition (MZ).

6. Method according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the irradiation and / or the detection and / or the processing of the scattered X-ray radiation is adjusted on the basis of the optical parameter (OP).

7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that, based on the optical parameter (OP), the irradiation is focused on a subsection of the material mixture (100), in particular along a lateral direction (BR).

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation with regard to the material composition (MZ) is carried out specifically according to a predefined and limited number of material types from a material list (ML).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the presence or absence of the material from the material list (ML) in the material mixture (100) is recognized purely qualitatively during the evaluation of the material composition (MZ).

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection of the diffracted X-ray radiation (RS) is carried out in an energy-resolved manner.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the irradiation and / or detection is carried out repeatedly in an offset manner along the conveying direction (FR), in particular in a switchable manner.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the irradiation and / or the detection is adapted to an evaluation based on a limited quantity and / or a single type of material.

13. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute the steps of a method having the features of any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Generation device (10) for generating sorting data (SD) for subsequent sorting of a material mixture (100) according to at least one sorting criterion (SK), comprising an irradiation module (20) for irradiating a material mixture (MG) conveyed along a conveying direction (FR) with X-rays (RS) from an irradiation side (110) of the material mixture (100) along a defined radiation direction (SR) transverse to the conveying direction (FR), a detection module (30) for detecting diffracted X-rays (RS) along a detection direction (DR) which has an acute diffraction angle (BW) to the radiation direction (SR), on a detection side (120) of the material mixture (100) which is arranged on the other side of the material mixture (100) relative to the irradiation side (110), and an evaluation module (40) for evaluating the detected,diffracted X-ray radiation (RS) with regard to the material composition (MZ) of the conveyed material mixture (100), a comparison module (50) for a comparison of the material composition (MZ) with the at least one sorting criterion (SK) and a generation module (60) for generating and outputting the sorting data (SD) based on the comparison made to the, Differentiation of at least two different quality levels of the material mixture (100), wherein the irradiation module (20), the detection module (30), the evaluation module (40), the comparison module (50) and / or the generation module (60) are configured for an embodiment of a method having the features of one of claims 1 to 12.

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