Parallel Receiving Containers for Uniform Dwell Period in Plastic Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the recycling of thermoplastic plastics materials, particularly for foodstuffs packaging, existing continuous flow processes result in varying dwell periods for material particles within treatment containers, leading to inconsistent decontamination quality due to differing vacuum and temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus with multiple receiving containers in parallel, allowing for alternating batch-wise charging and controlled shut-off mechanisms to ensure consistent dwell periods and vacuum conditions across all material particles, enhancing decontamination efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuous flow process is used through receiving containers, then productivity is improved, but the dwell period for material particles varies leading to inconsistent decontamination quality
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous flow process is segmented into discrete batch operations using multiple receiving containers (at least two containers in parallel). Each container operates independently with controlled filling and emptying cycles, ensuring that material particles experience uniform dwell periods while the overall system maintains continuous productivity through alternating batch operations between containers.
2Productivity
If the receiving container is emptied quickly by the screw, then productivity is improved, but individual particles leave quickly resulting in varying dwell periods and reduced decontamination quality
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving containers are pre-filled to a controlled level before the emptying operation begins. The shut-off member is pre-positioned to control the emptying rate, ensuring that material particles remain in the container for a predetermined uniform dwell period regardless of the screw's emptying speed. This preliminary setup of filling level and shut-off positioning ensures consistent decontamination while maintaining productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If vacuum conditions are intensified to improve decontamination, then decontamination quality is improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Vacuum conditions are applied periodically during specific phases of the batch cycle (during heating and mixing phases while shut-off members are closed), rather than continuously. The vacuum system operates at high intensity only when material particles are stationary in the receiving containers, ensuring effective decontamination. During material transfer phases, vacuum is temporarily suspended, reducing energy consumption while maintaining decontamination effectiveness through the periodic high-intensity treatment.
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 approach ensures a uniform dwell period for all material particles, significantly improving decontamination quality and consistency in the recycled plastics material, meeting stringent decontamination demands for foodstuffs packaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
In the case of a known apparatus of this type, a continuous flow of material takes place through the two receiving containers which are arranged in series and are under vacuum.
Implementation Method 2
in which in each stage the material is introduced into a receiving container from above and is heated and mixed, and optionally also crushed, in the receiving container by rotating tools
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the preparation of thermoplastic plastics material to be recycled has two treatment stages following one after the other. At least two receiving containers, which are capable of being evacuated and which are attached in parallel to a receiving container of the second stage, are present in the first stage. A device is present by which an alternating batch-wise charging of the receiving container of the second stage takes place from the receiving containers of the first stage. The said device controls discharge members of the receiving containers of the preceding stage, which leads into a channel. A shut-off member is provided for each receiving container of the preceding stage in the said channel. The alternating device controls the shut-off members.The method of preparing thermoplastic plastics material, to be recycled, utilizes an apparatus of this type.