Composite Rope Recycling Through Type Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The disposal of broken or worn sports racket strings, which often contain synthetic and non-biodegradable components, poses an environmental threat due to their toxic waste potential, necessitating a solution for recycling to establish a circular economy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving identification through cross-section analysis and magnified photography, followed by mechanical, chemical, thermal, or biological separation steps, to recycle composite ropes, including those from sports rackets, sailing, and musical instruments, ensuring high recyclability and resource transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If composite ropes with synthetic components are disposed of in landfill or released into nature, then disposal is simple and convenient, but environmental pollution and toxic waste problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The composite rope is divided into multiple components through mechanical separation (cutting, shredding) and chemical separation (solvent dissolution). Different materials such as polyurethane coating, polyester core, and nylon strands are separated into individual components that can be independently recycled or disposed of appropriately, transforming the previously undisposable composite structure into separatable recyclable materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes specific components from the composite rope structure. The polyurethane coating is dissolved and removed using solvents, and the core materials are extracted through mechanical processing. This extraction allows the valuable materials to be recovered and reused, preventing them from becoming environmental pollutants in landfills.
2Loss of substance
If mechanical separation steps are used to separate rope components, then material recovery is achieved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical treatment by dissolving the polyurethane coating in solvents before mechanical separation. This preliminary action weakens the bonding between components and reduces the mechanical energy required for subsequent cutting and shredding operations, thereby reducing overall processing time and energy consumption while maintaining high material recovery rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical separation methods with a combination of chemical dissolution and mild mechanical processing. Instead of using high-energy mechanical forces to separate tightly bound composite components, the solution uses chemical solvents to dissolve the binding matrix, allowing components to separate more easily and quickly with minimal mechanical intervention.
3Loss of substance
If chemical separation steps are used to dissolve and separate components, then separation efficiency is improved, but additional chemical processing steps and waste streams are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the separation process by using supercritical fluids instead of traditional liquid solvents. This parameter change allows for complete dissolution of the polyurethane coating at controlled temperature and pressure, followed by easy recovery of both the dissolved material and the solvent through pressure release, simplifying the overall process while maintaining high separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs controlled oxidation processes to degrade and separate certain rope components. By introducing controlled oxidative conditions, the complex composite structure is broken down into separatable components more efficiently, and the oxidation byproducts are environmentally benign, reducing the complexity of waste treatment while improving separation efficiency.
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
Enables the recycling of sports racket strings and other composite ropes, transforming them into valuable resources, thus avoiding landfill disposal and promoting a green circular economy.
Implementation Method 1
making a cross-section, taking a magnified photograph, and analyzing the filament groups
Implementation Method 2
a mechanical separation step
Implementation Method 3
a chemical separation step
Implementation Method 4
a thermal separation step
Implementation Method 5
a biological separation step
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
Method for recycling composite ropes, the method comprising a step of identifying (S0) the type of rope and at least one step of separating components comprising one or the other of the following steps /S1/,/S2/,/S3/,/S4/ as defined below: /S1/ - a mechanical separation step, /S2/ - a chemical separation step, /S3/ - a thermal separation step, /S4/ - a biological separation step and machine or installation for recycling composite ropes.