Non-destructive Infill Sampling for Artificial Turf Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The recycling of synthetic turf is challenging due to its unique composition, which includes infill materials like sand and tire rubber crumb, making conventional carpet recycling processes unsuitable, and efficient separation of these components is necessary for reuse but poses a significant environmental and economic challenge.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive method for sampling infill from artificial turf fields by obtaining samples from at least three predetermined positions using a plate with a hole and a vacuum device, allowing for accurate determination of infill composition and subsequent separation, and a kit comprising a vacuum device, plate, and containers for on-site sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional carpet recycling processes are used for synthetic turf, then the process is simple and familiar, but the process is unsuitable due to the unique composition of synthetic turf including infill materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synthetic turf recycling problem into distinct components: face fibers, infill materials (sand, rubber crumb, dirt), and backing. By separating these components through vacuum sampling and analysis, the process can be tailored to handle each material type appropriately, making the recycling process suitable for synthetic turf's unique composition while maintaining flexibility for variations in infill materials.
2Reliability
If infill is separated from the turf using special equipment, then the separation can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and expensive with environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using vacuum sampling to obtain representative infill samples from the turf before any separation process. This preliminary sampling and analysis step allows for planning and optimization of the separation process, ensuring effectiveness while minimizing the complexity and environmental impact of the equipment needed for actual separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using vacuum sampling as a mediating step between the intact turf and the separation process. This intermediary sampling method provides information about infill composition without requiring immediate complex separation equipment, allowing for more thoughtful planning of the separation process that balances effectiveness with device complexity and environmental considerations.
3Measurement precision
If samples are taken from multiple positions on the field, then the composition accuracy improves, but the time and effort required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by taking vacuum samples from specific local positions on the field (at least three different positions) rather than attempting to analyze the entire field uniformly. This localized sampling approach provides accurate representation of infill composition variations across different areas while minimizing the total time and effort required compared to comprehensive field-wide sampling.
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
This method provides a representative picture of the entire field's infill composition with minimal sampling, enabling efficient and accurate separation of infill components, facilitating recycling and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
vacuuming infill from the hole to retrieve infill from the area of the sealed position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for sampling of infill from an artificial turf field as well as a kit for use in the method. The method is nondestructive of the field and allows for prognosing the composition of the infill of the entire field by obtaining samples from only at least three areas of the field.