Inclined Trough Compost Separator with Riffles and Air Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Municipal and industrial compost facilities face challenges in efficiently and cost-effectively separating plastics contaminants from biodegradable compost due to contamination issues, increased wear on machinery, and reduced market value of the finished compost product, especially given the diverse shapes, sizes, and densities of plastics and high moisture content of organic materials.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method utilizing an inclined trough with riffles, vibratory motors, and air flow to induce hindered settling and separate plastics contaminants from compost materials, allowing for effective removal under varying moisture conditions, featuring a combination of vibratory motion and air flow to isolate and collect plastics of all shapes and sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional separation methods are used, then processing is simpler, but plastics contamination removal is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplastics separation efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus segments the separation process into distinct functional zones: a vibratory section with riffles for initial plastics-compost separation, and a hydrocyclone section for fine particle separation. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize for its specific separation task, achieving high overall separation efficiency without requiring overly complex integrated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus introduces air as an intermediary medium in the vibratory section, using air flow to enhance the separation of plastics from compost materials. The air flow helps lift and transport lighter plastics while heavier compost materials settle, improving separation efficiency without requiring complex mechanical sorting mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If high separation efficiency is achieved, then plastics removal is improved, but operating conditions require very close monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplastics separation efficiencyVSAvoidoperating condition monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrocyclone section operates on self-adjusting principles where the separation process automatically adapts to varying feed conditions. The centrifugal force generated by the hydrocyclone naturally adjusts to separate particles based on their density and size, reducing the need for manual monitoring and adjustment of operating parameters while maintaining high separation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If plastics separation is improved, then compost quality is maintained, but processing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplastics separation efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus uses pneumatic principles in the vibratory section and hydraulic principles in the hydrocyclone section to achieve separation. These fluid-based methods are more cost-effective than complex mechanical sorting systems, as they utilize readily available utilities (air and water) and require simpler equipment infrastructure, reducing overall processing costs while maintaining high plastics removal efficiency

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

Achieves high separation efficiency of plastics from compost materials, with separation rates up to 85% and effective handling of a wide range of compost moisture levels, reducing operational costs and maintaining compost quality.

Implementation Method 1

inducing a vibration in the inclined trough to induce a prolonged period of hindered unsettled in the compost material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHindered settling: Sedimentation

Implementation Method 2

one or more vibratory motors configured to induce a vibration in the inclined trough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

one or more blowers or vacuums configured to generate an air flow over a substantial length of the inclined trough perpendicular to the direction of flow of compost material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentUS8910797B2Method and apparatus for separating plastics from compost and other recyclable materials

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 BOREAL COMPOST ENTERPRISES

AI summary

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for separating plastics from compost material. In an embodiment, the method comprises: providing an inclined trough having a feed entry at a top end and a materials discharge end at a bottom end, the inclined trough including a plurality of riffles positioned substantially perpendicularly to a direction of flow of compost material down the inclined trough; inducing a vibration in the inclined trough to induce a prolonged period of hindered unsettling in the compost material; providing a longitudinal dam to at least one side of the inclined trough; and generating an air flow over a substantial length of the inclined trough perpendicular to the direction of flow of compost material down the inclined trough, thereby to blow plastics separated from the compost material over the longitudinal dam.