Air Classifying Recovered Carbon Black to Reduce Ash

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recovered carbon black (rCB) from pyrolysis of waste materials contains high ash content, which negatively affects its performance in applications such as rubber articles, necessitating a method to reduce this content.

Innovation Solution

The method involves subjecting rCB to an air classifying unit, utilizing a classifying wheel or cyclone unit to separate and reduce the ash content, resulting in treated carbon black with improved properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If pyrolysis process is used to produce recovered carbon black from waste materials, then carbon black can be obtained for reuse, but the ash content increases which negatively affects performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereusability of carbon blackVSAvoidash content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction by introducing an air stream through a classifying wheel to remove ash particles from recovered carbon black. The air stream selectively entrains and separates lighter ash particles from heavier carbon black particles, effectively extracting the harmful ash component while preserving the useful carbon black for reuse in rubber articles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If air classifying is applied to reduce ash content, then performance in rubber articles is improved, but additional processing step is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance in rubber articlesVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic principles by using a controlled air stream passing through the classifying wheel to achieve particle separation. This pneumatic approach allows for effective ash removal without requiring complex mechanical separation devices, maintaining relatively simple processing while significantly improving the reliability and performance of the treated carbon black in rubber article applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The treated carbon black exhibits reduced ash content and enhanced performance in rubber articles, demonstrating improved tensile strength, tear resistance, and abrasion resistance.

Implementation Method 1

The method involves subjecting rCB to an air classifying unit, utilizing a classifying wheel or cyclone unit to separate and reduce the ash content

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone separation: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

subjecting the recovered carbon black of step (A) to an air classifying unit (602)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAerodynamic separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP4582493A1Air classifying of recovered carbon black
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 ORION ENGINEERED CARBONS IP GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4582493A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4582493A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4582493A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of recovered carbon black by air classifying. It has surprisingly found that the ash content of the recovered carbon black can be reduced by air classifying. The treated carbon black by air classifying can be beneficially used to produce rubber articles.