Filter Powder Pyrolysis for Aluminium Slag Recycling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recycling filter powders from gas cleaning filters in aluminium refineries are inefficient, leading to production delays and environmental issues due to the handling and treatment challenges posed by their composition and reactivity, resulting in zero recycling and potential contamination of the end product.

Innovation Solution

A recycling system integrated into the saline slag treatment process, involving mechanical grinding, dissolution, reaction, crystallization, pyrolysis, and gas treatment steps to break down organic and toxic substances, allowing for the safe incorporation of filter powders into the saline slag recycling process, achieving zero dumping and improving production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If filter powders are dumped in authorized dump sites, then environmental compliance is maintained, but zero recycling goal is not achieved and resource loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter powder recycling rateVSAvoidenvironmental compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful organic matter and toxic substances in filter powders into beneficial outcomes by using controlled pyrolysis to destroy these contaminants and generate energy, while the resulting carbon-rich solid residue becomes a valuable resource for incorporation into saline slag recycling, achieving both zero dumping and resource recovery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the pyrolysis temperature (500-600°C) and atmosphere to selectively decompose organic matter and toxic substances while preserving the valuable carbon content and metal particles, transforming the filter powder from a hazardous waste into a processable material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If filter powders are mixed with saline slag in the furnace, then recycling process is simplified, but production time increases and cost-effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelting speedVSAvoidrecycling process integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-treating filter powders through pyrolysis before they enter the saline slag recycling process. This preliminary destruction of organic matter and toxic substances prevents interference with the subsequent melting and dissolution steps, maintaining production speed while enabling effective recycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If filter powders undergo wet treatment process, then toxic substances are not destroyed but incorporated into end product, reducing product quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetoxic substance destructionVSAvoidend product quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful organic matter and toxic substances into beneficial outcomes by using controlled pyrolysis to destroy these contaminants and generate energy, while the resulting carbon-rich solid residue becomes a valuable resource for incorporation into saline slag recycling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the wet treatment process with a thermal treatment process (pyrolysis). Instead of using water and chemical reactions to handle toxic substances, the system uses controlled thermal decomposition to destroy organics and volatilize toxins, achieving both detoxification and resource recovery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If filter powders are processed continuously from bag to hopper to feeder to auger, then handling efficiency is improved, but production delays occur due to reaction differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous processing capabilityVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-treating filter powders through pyrolysis before they enter the continuous processing line with saline slag. This preliminary treatment ensures that filter powders are chemically prepared in advance, preventing reaction conflicts during continuous processing and maintaining both operational ease and production speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system effectively recycles filter powders by destroying toxic substances and reducing waste, integrating them into the saline slag process, thereby enhancing the recycling efficiency and environmental sustainability of aluminium refineries.

Implementation Method 1

The filter powders, which are very lightweight and carbonaceous, must enter a rotating auger where they will be heated to a temperature of not less than 500°C and not more than 600°C. The organic and toxic substances breakdown in this heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

part of the carbon and other combustibles burn in the controlled presence of air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 3

A series of powder entrainment gases are produced as a result of the operation. This powder must be retained and the gases neutralized and treated to thus be emitted to the atmosphere without creating environmental problems

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas neutralization:

Data Source

PatentEP1947202B1Filter powder recycling process
Publication Date: 2009.03.18 BEFESA ALUMINIO BILBAO SL
  • EP1947202B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process of treating filter powders (3) of the type produced in aluminium recycling processes in a recycling system for recycling the metal (1) of saline slag recycling (2), comprising at least a pyrolysis step (31) in which the filter powders (30) enter a rotating auger where they are heated to a temperature of not less than 500°C and not more than 600°C; and in which the organic and toxic substances breakdown in this heating and part of the carbon and other combustibles burn in the controlled presence of air, this air being mixed with the powder by the movement of the rotating auger; in which organic materials are oxidized due to the oxygen provided; and in which the solid result of the pyrolysis step (31) is added to the general saline slag recycling process (2).