Plasma Ozone Treatment for Odor Reduction in Plastic Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for plastics processing fail to effectively reduce volatile substances and odors, particularly in recycled plastics with high volatile substance concentrations, and do not efficiently modify plastic properties through chemical reactions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a plasma and/or ozone in an excitation zone to decompose volatile substances from plastics, combined with the addition of additives and controlled pressure conditions to enhance property modifications and odor reduction, utilizing a control unit for precise ozone application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional plastics processing methods are used, then processing simplicity is maintained, but volatile substances and odors are not effectively reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolatile substances and odorsVSAvoidprocessing method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes volatile substances from the plastic processing system by introducing a plasma excitation zone that decomposes and eliminates odorous compounds, separating the harmful volatile substances from the main plastic processing flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces plasma as an intermediary substance between the plastic material and the volatile substances, using plasma excitation to mediate the decomposition of odorous compounds without directly contacting the main plastic processing system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If recycled plastics with high volatile substance concentrations are used, then material availability and sustainability are improved, but odor and volatile substance problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecycled plastic usageVSAvoidvolatile substance concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful volatile substances in recycled plastics into beneficial outcomes by using plasma excitation to decompose these volatiles, transforming the odor problem into an opportunity for improved material processing and sustainability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of volatile substances through plasma excitation, altering their molecular structure to eliminate odorous properties while maintaining the usability of recycled plastic materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If chemical reactions are introduced to modify plastic properties, then material performance is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplastic propertiesVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the plastic processing operation with plasma excitation treatment in a single integrated process, combining material handling and chemical modification steps to reduce overall process complexity while improving plastic properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional processing system that simultaneously performs plastic conveying, heating, and plasma-based chemical modification, allowing a single device to execute multiple operations that would traditionally require separate equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Efficient decomposition of volatile substances and odors, with improved plastic properties such as strength, toughness, and adhesion, while enabling the use of recycled plastics with high volatile substance concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

exciting a plasma and/or applying ozone in the excitation zone to decompose the volatile substances from the plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

exciting a plasma and/or applying ozone in the excitation zone to decompose the volatile substances from the plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3898158B1Method for reducing volatile substances in a plastic preparation, treatment device and control unit
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3898158B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3898158B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (300) for reducing volatile substances, in particular odors, in the processing of a plastic, the method (300) comprising the following steps: conveying (310) a plastic (104) into an excitation zone (108) of a processing device (100); and exciting (320) a plasma (112) and/or applying (320) ozone (113) in the excitation zone (108) in order to decompose the volatile substances from the plastic (104).