Bituminous Membrane Recycling Line for Pollutant Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recycling technologies fail to efficiently and reliably separate non-recoverable pollutants, such as hard solid particles, from bituminous waterproofing membranes, leading to inefficiencies and high landfill costs due to the intertwining and embedding of these pollutants with the recyclable materials, which are often present in construction site waste.
Innovation Solution
A treatment installation comprising a heated screw mixer, roller mills with adjustable air gaps, macroscopic and microscopic separation devices, and a refiner system to process bituminous membranes, allowing for the separation and extraction of macroscopic and microscopic pollutants, ensuring a continuous and reproducible output of high-quality recyclable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional recycling systems (extruders, helical screw conveyors) are used to process bituminous membranes, then processing can be performed, but the systems suffer blockage from hard macroscopic particles and rapid wear from hard microscopic particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recycling process into distinct stages: a heating/melting stage using a screw conveyor, followed by a separation stage using a sieve. This segmentation allows different components (macroscopic particles, microscopic particles, bituminous material) to be handled by specialized devices optimized for their specific properties, preventing blockage and wear issues in a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes harmful particles (both macroscopic and microscopic) from the bituminous membrane waste during the processing cycle. The sieve specifically extracts microscopic particles that would otherwise cause rapid wear, while the separation system removes macroscopic particles that would cause blockage, thereby protecting the system's reliability.
2Reliability
If ferromagnetic or eddy current separators are used, then metallic pollutants can be separated, but non-ferromagnetic particles and embedded pollutants remain in the material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic separation methods with a mechanical screening system using a sieve with specific aperture sizes. This mechanical approach can separate both ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic particles, as well as particles embedded in the material, by physical size rather than magnetic properties, thereby improving overall separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a sieve with specifically designed aperture dimensions (0.5-5 mm) that are optimized for the size distribution of pollutants in bituminous membranes. This local optimization of separation parameters allows effective removal of particles across different size ranges and material compositions, achieving comprehensive pollutant removal.
3Reliability
If density-based separation systems (centrifugal systems, density tables, settling devices) are used, then some separation can be achieved, but the systems are either inefficient or economically unviable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, low-cost sieve as the separation device, which can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This simple mechanical screening approach is far more economically viable and less complex than centrifugal systems or density tables, while achieving effective pollutant separation through straightforward physical screening.
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 installation achieves a progressive, efficient, and reliable treatment of bituminous membranes, producing a final output suitable for new sealing products while minimizing waste generation, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by effectively handling both macroscopic and microscopic pollutants.
Implementation Method 1
heating means (3) comprise at least one heated screw mixer, receiving the composite products (2) to be treated, configured to allow the passage of macroscopic particles and delivering a heterogeneous output (3') in liquid or viscous form
Implementation Method 2
grinding means (4, 4') comprise at least one roller mill (4, 4') having two rolling cylinders (7, 7') heated and driven in opposite directions, these cylinders defining between them a passage gap
Implementation Method 3
two rolling cylinders (7, 7') heated and driven in opposite directions
Implementation Method 4
two rolling cylinders (7, 7') heated and driven in opposite directions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An installation (1) and method for treating composite products (2) based on thermoplastic material(s) for recycling purposes, the installation at least comprising means (3, 4, 4', 5, 6) for heating, for reducing size, for crushing and for separating, said means being arranged to form at least one line (1') for treating and extracting material(s) to be reused, operating as a continuous or intermittent flow, and regulated if necessary. The installation (1) is characterised in that the means (3) for heating and reducing size comprise at least one heated screw mixer, the crushing means comprise at least one roll crusher (4, 4') comprising two rolling rollers (7 and 7') that are heated and set into rotation in opposite directions, the separating means (5, 6) comprise at least one macroscopic separating means (5) in the form of a device for discharging macroscopic polluting particles present in the output (3'), and the separating means (5, 6) also comprise at least one microscopic separating means (6).