Movable Plate Stratification for Mixed Plastic Density Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sorting granular matter with different densities are inefficient, particularly when dealing with mixtures of multiple types of plastic, leading to structural weaknesses and resource strain due to unsatisfactory separation results.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a stratification machine with a movable plate and fluid compensation system to separate granular matter within a liquid, where the plate moves vertically to stratify materials based on density differences, ensuring effective separation of granular matter with varying densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sink and float technique or jigging is used to separate granular matter by density, then separation of granular matter is achieved, but the separation quality is not satisfactory and it is difficult to separate mixtures of several different fractions with different densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the plate movable rather than fixed. The plate oscillates vertically within the liquid medium, creating dynamic flow patterns that enhance the separation of granular matter by density. This dynamic motion allows better separation of multiple fractions with different densities compared to static methods like traditional jigging or sink-float techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the oscillating vertical motion of the plate. The plate moves up and down in a periodic manner, creating alternating zones of high and low velocity that facilitate the stratification and separation of granular matter by density. This periodic motion improves separation quality for mixtures containing several different fractions.
2Reliability
If traditional separation methods are used, then some separation is achieved, but the process creates resource strain and environmental impact due to unsatisfactory separation results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes hydraulics by employing a liquid medium in which the granular matter is suspended and separated. The movable plate oscillates within this liquid, creating hydraulic flow patterns that enhance separation effectiveness. This hydraulic approach achieves better separation results, thereby reducing the need for multiple processing passes and decreasing overall environmental impact and resource strain.
3Manufacturing precision
If a movable plate with sieve openings is used to maintain granular matter above the plate, then separation is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a plate with sieve openings (porous structure) that allows liquid to pass through while retaining granular matter above the plate. This porous plate design is simple in construction but effective in function, achieving improved separation quality without significantly increasing system complexity. The sieve openings enable the plate to maintain granular matter while allowing fluid communication.
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 achieves improved separation of granular matter by stratifying materials based on density, enabling efficient recycling of mixed plastic waste and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a stratification machine with a movable plate and fluid compensation system to separate granular matter within a liquid, where the plate moves vertically to stratify materials based on density differences
Implementation Method 2
Methods for sorting plastics, in particular granular matter, typically utilise the sink and float technique, where the granular matter is submerged in a medium, typically a liquid, having a density higher or lower than the matter to be separated, such that the matter will float to the top or sink to the bottom of the medium
Implementation Method 3
the denser matter to settle on the grid or sieve
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for treating a combination of a liquid and granular matter, which granular matter is larger than or equal to a minimum grain size and comprises two or more types of granular matter with different densities, wherein at least two of the different types of granular matter have densities being larger than the density of the liquid. The system comprises a stratification machine with a stratification or sorting chamber for holding the combination of liquid and granular matter, which stratification or sorting chamber has one or more side walls. The stratification machine also holds a movable plate arranged within the stratification or sorting chamber, where the moveable plate has sieve openings smaller than the minimum grain size of the granular matter to be treated to thereby maintain the granular matter above or on top of the movable plate. The stratification machine further holds a drive system for moving the movable plate in vertical upwards and downwards movements within the stratification or sorting chamber to thereby exercise or treat the granular matter within the liquid. There is also provided a method for treating the combination of a liquid and granular matter. The granular matter may include or consist of polymer granular matter.