162 results about "Waste stream" patented technology

Chemical recycling facilities for processing mixed plastic waste are provided herein. Such facilities have the capability of processing mixed plastic waste streams and utilize a variety of recycling facilities, such as, for example, solvolysis facility, a pyrolysis facility, a cracker facility, a partial oxidation gasification facility, an energy generation / energy production facility, and a solidification facility. Streams from one or more of these individual facilities may be used as feed to one or more of the other facilities, thereby maximizing recovery of valuable chemical components and minimizing unusable waste streams.

Described herein are methods, devices, materials, and systems for extracting target materials from iron-rich feedstocks. The iron-rich feedstock may be red mud, a natural occurring mineral, and / or a waste stream. The target materials may include a main constituent of the feedstock, a rare earth element, a precious metal, and / or a platinum group element. The invention may use a combination of electrochemical reactions and physical separation methods.

The present disclosure generally relates to collecting, handling, and / or sorting of waste or other objects. For example, certain embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for collecting and sorting objects such as trash, recyclables, compostables, etc. In some cases, such systems may be used at a MRF (materials recovery facility), a transfer station, a public facility, or other locations where various objects in a waste stream are to be sorted. In some cases, the system may be relatively small and compact. The waste stream may be singulated or separated into discrete objects to facilitate identification and sorting. For example, two or more discrete objects within the waste stream that are contacting one another or are proximate to one another may be separated, so as to facilitate identification and / or sorting of the objects. This may be useful, for example, for producing less contaminated streams of trash, recyclables, compostables, etc. from a waste stream.

The “Industrial Digestive System” encapsulates a novel paradigm in waste management and resource recovery, bridging the gap between sophisticated computational intelligence and industrial automation. The hardware component replicates the natural digestive system's efficiency in processing a diverse range of inputs, including municipal and industrial waste, transforming them into valuable outputs like biofuels, chemicals, and advanced composite / conglomerate materials. This process is achieved through a series of mechanized operations. Complementing the hardware, the software facet of the invention is rooted in advanced machine learning and optimization algorithms that optimize multivariable functions for the most efficient conversion of input to resources, orchestrating the transformation from varied waste streams, elements, and molecules into solid, liquid, and gaseous outputs. The result is an automated, intelligent manufacturing machine that enhances product quality and operational efficacy. “The Industrial Digestive System” can be seen as a new branch of cybernetics, a cyber-physical system inspired by nature.

It has been discovered that recycle content CO2 streams produced in a chemical recycling facility involving waste plastic pyrolysis can be converted into recycle content syngas (r-syngas), which can be used for various applications. More particularly, recycle content CO2 streams generated from a pyrolysis facility, a cracking facility, and / or an ethylene oxide facility may be recovered and converted into r-syngas. Moreover, recycle content methane, produced directly or indirectly from waste plastics, may also be used to produce flue gas streams, which provide additional recycle content CO2 streams to produce additional recycle content syngas. Thus, methods for producing a useful recycle content product (i.e., r-syngas) from conventional waste streams that are typically exhausted (i.e., CO2 streams) are provided herein.

Methods of capturing carbon in biochar are provided. The method includes mixing the biochar with an alkaline solution to form an intermediate mixture, and exposing the intermediate mixture to a CO2 source to precipitate calcium carbonate over and in the biochar to form a CO2 weathered biochar. In some cases, the method further includes injecting CO2 into the alkaline wastewater to sequestration / store CO2, which may then be used as mixed water for the production of cementitious composites. The method can be used for upgrading three waste streams, and the treated CO2 weathered biochar maintains the compressive strength of the obtained concrete when replacing part of the pre-cured cement and aggregate components. In addition, the treated CO2-weathered recycled aggregate maintains the mechanical strength of the obtained concrete when replacing part of the aggregate.

A method of reclaiming portions of a surgical kit having a surgical instrument includes disassembling the surgical instrument and determining a disposal methodology of the surgical kit. Furthermore, reclaiming further includes verifying reuse capacity of a portion of the surgical instrument and determining a waste stream for the portion of the surgical instrument. The method also includes disassembling the portion of the surgical instrument from a remainder of the surgical instrument at a predetermined region of the surgical instrument to thereby reclaim the portion of the surgical instrument according to the waste stream.

A system for mechanically recycling a plastic waste stream can include first and second size reduction units, a washing system, a drying system, and an extrusion unit. The first and second size reduction units can respectively receive and shred first and second plastic waste streams to respectively produce first and second shredded plastic waste streams. The washing system (positioned downstream from the first size reduction unit) can receive and wash the first shredded plastic waste stream to produce a washed plastic material stream. The drying system (positioned downstream from the washing system) can receive and dry the washed plastic material stream to provide a dried plastic material stream. The extrusion unit (positioned downstream from the drying system and the second size reduction unit) can receive, melt, and extrude the dried plastic material stream and / or the second shredded plastic waste stream to produce a mechanically recycled plastic material.

A wastewater system with high recyclability may include one or more mechanical or membrane filtration technologies. Process waste streams may be processed through a variety of processing units to remove contaminants without or with limited additional chemical additives, thereby forming a near-zero or zero liquid discharge wastewater system.

A system for selectively opening flexible containers, such as plastic bags, in a mixed solid waste stream is disclosed, for use in Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or other contexts. The system may include a conveyor configured to transport waste, a sensor configured to detect the presence and position of flexible containers, and a multi-degree-of-freedom positioning device that moves a cutting tool relative to the containers. A processor, in communication with the sensor and positioning device, may calculate a cutting path and control the positioning device to execute the cutting operation. The system may utilize various cutting tools, including punches, blades, spades, shovels, and motorized saws, as well as non-contact fluid-based cutting technologies such as air or water jets. Additionally, the system can dynamically adjust the cutting trajectory based on real-time feedback and environmental conditions. The method provides an adaptable solution to open bags without damaging recyclable materials, improving throughput and reducing waste in mixed waste streams.

It has been discovered that heat energy may be captured from typical waste streams, such as flue gas streams, that were previously lost due to exhausting. More particularly, it has been discovered that residual heat energy from various waste streams in a chemical recycling facility may be used to preheat waste plastic streams and provide heat for waste plastic pyrolysis. Consequently, the pyrolysis processes and systems described herein may obtain a lower carbon footprint.

Methods, devices, and systems are disclosed that capture carbon dioxide from ambient air and / or point source emissions and produce carbon dioxide from the captured atmospheric and / or point source carbon dioxide using one or more products of the carbon capture processes. Implementations filter atmospheric and / or point source impurities during the carbon capture process and in steps for producing a CO2 stream via chemical synthesis and optionally thermal generation. The integration of CO2 removal processes and chemical synthesis of CO2 synergistically combine to reduce and / or eliminate waste streams, resulting in efficient processes with low carbon emissions and reduced waste.

Blends of recycled plastic materials and plastic products made therefrom are provided. The blends combine a high fraction of recycled medical waste with mixed recycled plastics, such as polyolefins or carpet waste. Also provided are methods for processing a heterogeneous waste stream such as medical waste to yield a homogenous material capable of blending with other materials and extrusion to form useful plastic products such as structural materials and consumer articles.

It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of a natural or other pozzolan to non-spec coal ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec coal ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C coal ash. The natural pozzolan may be a volcanic ejecta, such as pumice or perlite. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec coal ash into certifiable Class F coal ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C coal ash to a more valuable Class F coal ash. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F coal ash supplies and turn non-spec coal ash waste streams into valuable, certified coal ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

The invention relates to methods for selectively recovering valuable metals including lithium, nickel, and / or cobalt from feedstock, such as a waste feedstock such as end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, and in particular from waste streams such as black mass derived in whole or in part from NMC type cathode material from such batteries.

A waste stream is analyzed and sorted to segregate different items for recycling. Certain features of the technology improve the accuracy with which waste stream items are diverted to collection repositories. Other features concern adaptation of neural networks in accordance with context information sensed from the waste. Still other features serve to automate and simplify maintenance of machine vision systems used in waste sorting. Yet other aspects of the technology concern marking 2D machine readable code data on items having complex surfaces (e.g., food containers with integral ribbing for structural strength or juice pooling), to mitigate issues that such surfaces can introduce in code reading. Still other aspects of the technology concern prioritizing certain blocks of conveyor belt imagery for analysis. Yet other aspects of the technology concern joint use of near infrared spectroscopy, artificial intelligence, digital watermarking, and / or other techniques, for waste sorting. A variety of further features and arrangements are also detailed.

Methods and systems for separating material using a combination of a sieve bed and a gravity separator are included. Material is collected from the waste stream and passes through the screener. The collected larger material is then directed to a first gravity separator having a specific gravity. Plastic and residual metal are recovered.

Compositions, such as surfactant compositions, and methods of forming compositions, such as surfactant compositions, which may include a gemini surfactant, said surfactants being ammonium compounds of formulae (I) to (VII). The methods may use a starting material from a stream generated by another process.

Provided is a polishing tool and a methods for polishing a wafer or manufacturing a semiconductor device. A method for polishing a wafer includes contacting a surface of the wafer to a polishing pad at an interface; rotating the wafer and / or the pad; and delivering a series of selected treatment agents to the interface and removing waste from the interface through channels extending through the pad, while controlling a rate of delivering the selected polishing agents and removing the waste streams through the channels formed in the pad to optimize polishing of the wafer.

A process for separating components of a waste stream. In one embodiment, the process includes providing shredded material in a form of particles each having a size of less than 2 inches. The particles of shredded material are separated based on size into a plurality of streams. Each of the plurality of streams is separated, based on density, into a first substream of greater density and a second substream of lesser density. Brittle components of some or all first substreams are pulverized, leaving metallic components in sheet form. Metallic components are separated from the first substream after the pulverizing. The process can be utilized to recover metals from automobile shredder residue, such as copper, aluminum, and precious metals.

Items are identified in a waste stream for purposes of recycling, using deterministic and / or probabilistic techniques. Imagery of the waste stream from multiple viewpoints permit creation of a 3D depth draped image representation, from which one or more 2D planes can be synthesized. Phase-coherent patches of recoverable encoded data can be identified from among soiled and crumpled object surfaces, and used in combination to recover object identification information. Recognition of certain items can trigger further image processing that is specific to such items. (Detection of a catsup bottle, for example, can trigger image analysis to discern the presence of catsup residue.) Information about recognized objects can be provided to external data customers, e.g., to track grey market diversion of particular products into unlicensed territories. These and other features and advantages, which can be used alone or in combination, are detailed herein.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods relating to fine aggregate for a Controlled Low-Strength Material (CLSM) recycled from a consumer waste stream of bottle glass. Such disclosed compositions may be advantageous, for example, for backfilling trenches in street cuts for utility repairs or new utility installations, such as digital cables. The disclosed compositions that incorporate the recycled glass aggregate into a CLSM that achieves satisfactory compressive strengths. The disclosed compositions are not negatively impacted by Alkali-Silica Reactivity causing expansion.

Method and system of processing DAF float and other waste streams containing oils, solids and liquid in order to remove them from the waste cycle to be put back into beneficial use.

Methods and systems for performing lavage. The method may include providing an irrigation fluid comprising a radioisotope to a surgical area. The method may also include removing via at least one suction line the irrigation fluid and medical waste at the surgical area to generate a fluid stream in the at least one suction line. The method may also include analyzing the fluid stream based on ionizing radiation detection to generate a result. The method may also include generating a feedback signal based on the result. The method may also include when the feedback signal indicates a negative result, lavage is complete and the surgical area is closed, and when the feedback signal indicates a positive result, lavage is not complete and the method of performing lavage is repeated.

A probe wash station assembly, the probe wash station assembly comprising a unitary housing having: at least one first well fluidly connected to a first channel extending through the at least one first well at an inlet region of the housing; at least one second well fluidly connected to a second channel extending through the at least one second well at the inlet region of the housing; a first inlet fluidly connected to the first channel; a second inlet fluidly connected to the second channel; and a waste path configured to direct waste fluid from the at least one first well and the at least one second well to the outlet. The first channel and the second channel are spaced apart from each other.

The present disclosure relates to the treatment of a waste stream having a portion of a material with a low softening temperature, such as a thermoplastic resin. The waste stream may include manufacturing waste or consumer waste, such as defective composite flooring materials. The process may include a dynamic crushing step utilizing a dynamic crusher that generates an airflow having multiple overlapping vortices, which can efficiently reduce the size of the thermoplastic resin by simultaneously reducing the size of the manufacturing waste and lowering or maintaining the internal temperature of the dynamic crusher compared to conventional size-reducing machines. The dynamic crusher may be selectively operated at a specific speed that serves to reduce the size of most of the waste (e.g., 70% to 100%) in a single pass (one-pass dynamic crushing) or to selectively liberate a portion of the manufacturing waste product. Optionally, the process may include a separation step, such as mechanical screening and / or magnetic screening.

Methods and classification systems are disclosed for classifying PU objects from a waste stream including a plurality of PU objects according to at least one predefined characteristic, where the PU objects may include at least one impurity. The PU object is irradiated with NIR and / or mid-infrared radiation, and the NIR and / or mid-infrared radiation spectrum is recorded by detecting the NIR and / or mid-infrared radiation. Based on the recorded NIR and / or mid-infrared radiation spectra, it is determined whether the irradiated PU objects exhibit predefined characteristics while verifying whether the at least one impurity may be present in the one or more irradiated PU objects. This includes comparing the recorded NIR and / or mid-infrared radiation spectra with one or more reference NIR and / or mid-infrared radiation spectra of a reference PU object exhibiting predefined characteristics and including a known amount of at least one impurity.

Described systems produce high-purity carbon dioxide from a CO2-rich gas, such as from CO2-rich tail gas produced as a waste stream during an upgrading or conditioning stage in a renewable natural gas (RNG) biorefinery. An example method comprises H2S filtration, compression, and cooling of the CO2-rich tail gas, subsequent filtration of oil, water, VOCs, and other sulfur-comprising compounds from the CO2-rich tail gas, and subsequent drying and compression of the CO2-rich tail gas. The CO2-rich tail gas is then condensed and a portion of CH4 is separated from the CO2-rich tail gas via flash separation and column distillation. The CO2-rich tail gas is then communicated into a reboiler to further separate CH4 from the CO2-rich tail gas. After subsequent further chilling / cooling, if the CO2-rich tail gas has a sufficiently high CO2 concentration, the CO2-rich tail gas is a finished CO2 product, such as food-grade CO2 or beverage-grade CO2.

A method for recovering a portion of a surgical kit having surgical instruments includes disassembling the surgical instruments and determining a disposal method for the surgical kit. The recovering further includes verifying reusability of the portion of the surgical instruments and determining a waste stream for the portion of the surgical instruments. The method also includes disassembling the portion of the surgical instruments from the remaining portion of the surgical instruments at a predetermined area of the surgical instruments, thereby recovering the portion of the surgical instruments according to the waste stream.

A process for purifying a composition comprising water, a target substance, impurities and optionally cells, the process comprising the steps (A) and (B):(A) preparing a liquid feedstock by performing step (Ai) and / or (Aii) on the composition:(Ai) removing at least some of the cells from the composition;(Aii) concentrating the composition by removing water therefrom; and(B) passing the liquid feedstock through an apparatus comprising at least two processing units, each such unit producing a product stream containing purified target substance and optionally a waste stream comprising at least some of the impurities, wherein each unit comprises specified components (i) to (v). The units may be essentially the same except for a device they contain, leading to advantages in terms of simplicity, cost and ease of operation, lower risk of operator error, easier maintenance and lower inventory of spare parts.