On-site Material Processing Apparatus for Recycling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current recycling methods incur significant time and expense due to the need for collecting, transporting, and processing bulky, commingled dirty used materials to a material recovery facility (MRF) for separation and processing, resulting in waste and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that processes used materials at the point of collection, featuring a series of chambers for sorting, washing, drying, and processing (including grinding, flaking, and compacting) to produce high-purity materials, which can then be directly transferred to manufacturing facilities, utilizing hydraulic arms, multiple processing devices, and computer control for efficient material handling and contamination removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If used materials are collected and transported to a material recovery facility for processing, then separation and processing can be performed, but significant time and expense are incurred due to collection, transport, and bulk handling
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs separation, washing, drying, and processing actions at the point of collection before materials are transported. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for bulk handling and additional processing steps at centralized facilities, directly reducing collection and transport time while maintaining processing quality.
2Productivity
If used materials are collected and transported to a material recovery facility, then processing can be performed, but significant expense is incurred for collection and transport operations
Solution Approach 1:
By performing all necessary processing actions at the point of collection, the system eliminates the need for expensive bulk transport and centralized facility operations. The material is processed immediately after collection, reducing the quantity of materials that need to be transported and the associated costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If used materials are processed at a material recovery facility, then separation can be performed, but the materials become commingled and require additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the processing system into separate functional modules (receiving chamber, separation chamber, washing chamber, drying chamber, processing chamber) that handle different material types independently. This segmentation allows for high-purity separation without requiring complex additional processing steps, as each module is optimized for its specific function.
4Productivity
If used materials are collected and transported, then processing can be performed, but the materials remain in bulky form requiring extensive handling
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus performs compacting and size reduction processing at the point of collection before materials are transported. This preliminary action reduces the bulk volume of materials significantly, allowing for more efficient transport and handling while maintaining processing capacity. The materials are processed immediately after collection, eliminating the need for bulk storage and handling.
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
Significantly reduces recycling costs and enhances material value by processing materials on-site, producing high-purity materials at a reduced volume, eliminating the need for additional processing steps and MRFs, thereby streamlining the recycling process and increasing material efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
sensing means operable to sense the composition of the used material located within the sensing chamber
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of nozzles operable to deliver a liquid to wash used material located within said washing and drying chamber
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of nozzles operable to deliver air to dry used material located within said washing and drying chamber
Implementation Method 4
a processing device operable to reduce the size of used material located within the processing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) to process used materials for input into a manufacturing process. The apparatus includes a housing (10) having a top surface (15) and providing a plurality of chambers arranged in descending order. A series of locations (20) are positioned under said top surface and through which used materials are to pass. Each said location being provided for receipt of a predetermined used material. A descending path (25) extends from each said location and provides for the transfer of used material from the respective location successively through the chambers. The chambers include a sensing chamber (30) downstream of said locations and having sensing means (35) operable to sense the composition of used material located within said sensing chamber. The sensing means being operable to activate an alarm if the used material has been placed by a user in an opening for receipt of a different material. A washing/drying chamber (40) downstream of said locations and having means (45) operable to wash and dry used material located within said washing/drying chamber. A processing chamber (50) downstream of said washing/drying chamber and having a processing device (55) operable to reduce the size of used material located within said processing chamber and a storage chamber (60) downstream of said processing chamber and having a series of storage units (65) for receipt of different used material once processed by the apparatus (1).