Chute Air Stream Separation for Recycled Concrete Impurities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing impurities from crushed recycled concrete are either ineffective or too expensive to be commercially viable, leaving the material contaminated with foreign substances like timber, plastics, and asbestos.
Innovation Solution
A processing apparatus featuring a chute with an air stream that separates impurities from crushed concrete by blowing air across the material, allowing heavier concrete to pass through while lighter impurities are removed, combined with speed-retarding means and adjustable air flow to enhance effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple deck grated screens are used to separate crushed concrete by size, then the concrete can be sorted into different size categories, but the material remains contaminated with foreign impurities such as timber, plastics, and asbestos
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into two distinct stages: first size-based separation using multiple deck grated screens, then impurity removal using an air stream system. This segmentation allows each subsystem to specialize in one function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
An air stream is introduced as an intermediary medium to selectively remove impurities from the crushed concrete. The air current acts as a mediator that carries away lightweight contaminants while leaving the heavier concrete particles behind.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual removal of large non-metallic material is used, then some impurities can be removed, but the process is labor-intensive and insufficient for complete purification
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical removal is replaced with a pneumatic system that uses controlled air streams to automatically remove impurities. This substitution dramatically increases processing capacity while reducing labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the crushed concrete to self-separate based on its physical properties (density and aerodynamic characteristics). The air stream automatically carries away impurities without requiring continuous manual intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If stronger air streams are used to remove impurities, then impurity removal effectiveness increases, but the risk of moving or damaging the crushed concrete material also increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air stream parameters (flow rate, velocity, distribution) are made dynamically adjustable to match the specific requirements of different material streams. This allows optimization of impurity removal while preventing excessive force that could disrupt the concrete particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The air stream is distributed locally across different zones of the chute, with varying intensity tailored to the specific impurity removal needs at each location. This localized approach ensures effective purification without over-processing the concrete material.
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 apparatus effectively removes impurities from crushed concrete, producing cleaner material that is suitable for reuse, with adjustable air flow ensuring efficient separation without over-processing the concrete.
Implementation Method 1
crushed material having impurities is to pass under the influence of gravity
Implementation Method 2
an air stream issuing from the air outlet passes across the interior towards the first side
Data Source
AI summary
A concrete processing apparatus (10) including at least one chute (14) along which crushed concrete and impurities is to pass. The chute (14) is downwardly inclined and has an air outlet to which air is delivered from a blower (29). An air stream issuing from the air outlet is directed across the interior of the chute (14) to deliver impurities to an impurities outlet (23).