Dissolution Tank Fiber Support Structure for Composite Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recycling methods for thermoplastics and thermosets fail to maintain fibers in a structured form during dissolution, leading to pipeline blockages and waste of fiber materials.
Innovation Solution
A dissolution unit with opposing support frames, grids, or perforated plates, and an actuator system to maintain fibers in a common plane during thermoplastic dissolution or thermoset solvolysis, using a control system to manage the actuator based on resistance sensing and solvent agitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If physical dissolution or chemical solvolysis is performed in a recycling tank, then thermoplastic or thermoset material is recovered, but fibers become disorganized and form waste product causing pipeline blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The dissolution tank is segmented into multiple zones: an upper dissolution zone where thermoplastic/thermoset is broken down, and a lower collection zone where fibers are separated and collected. This spatial segmentation allows simultaneous dissolution and fiber preservation without mixing the disorganized fiber waste with the dissolution process
Solution Approach 2:
A fiber collection mechanism acts as an intermediary between the dissolution process and the final output. This intermediary component captures fibers as they separate from the dissolving material and directs them to a collection chamber, preventing them from becoming harmful waste products that could block pipelines
2Device complexity
If fibers are not accounted for during dissolution, then the recycling process is simpler, but the woven structure becomes waste product unable to be recycled
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by preparing a dedicated fiber collection mechanism before the dissolution process begins. The collection chamber and fiber guidance structures are pre-configured to capture fibers as they separate, ensuring that when dissolution occurs, fibers are automatically preserved rather than lost. This preliminary preparation adds complexity but enables fiber recycling
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolution tank is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both as the dissolution chamber for breaking down thermoplastic/thermoset material and as a fiber collection and separation system. This universal design integrates what could be separate processes into one unit, managing both material recovery and fiber preservation without requiring entirely separate systems
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
Preserves fibers in a reusable state by maintaining them in a common plane, preventing pipeline blockages and enabling efficient recycling of thermoplastics and thermosets.
Implementation Method 1
Solvent-based recycling of thermoplastic polymers can be achieved through a physical dissolution process that does not degrade the polymer chain with the immersion of the thermoplastic into a solvent
Implementation Method 2
the tank additionally includes an agitator adapted to agitate a liquid solvent disposed within the tank
Implementation Method 3
the tank additionally includes a resistance sensor transmitting a signal to the control system in response to sensing a lessening of resistance to the actuation of the plates
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to composite recycling and provide a novel and non-obvious dissolution tank, recycling system and recycling process adapted for the separation of fibers during composite dissolution. In an embodiment of the invention, a dissolution tank adapted for composite dissolution and fiber separation includes a tank, a pair of opposing perforated structures disposed within the tank, an actuator coupled to the perforated structures and configured to drive the pair of structures towards one another, and a control system programmed to direct the actuator to drive the structures towards one another responsive to a determination that a composite part disposed between the structures is transforming from a rigid state.