Compact Plastic Film Washing with Closed-Loop Prewashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recycling systems are inadequate for processing flexible plastic films contaminated with organic matter, as they are bulky, require significant space, and cannot be installed directly on industrial sites, leading to rapid degradation and odor issues that prevent recycling.
Innovation Solution
A compact, mobile waste washing system with a closed-loop fluid circulation that includes pre-washing, washing, and rinsing units, using relative motion to ensure efficient treatment of flexible plastic films with surfactants and disinfectants, and separate recovery zones for organic matter-laden liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard recycling systems are used for soiled flexible plastic films, then the plastic can be recycled, but the system requires large facilities that cannot be installed on industrial sites and involves complex multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The recycling system is divided into separate functional modules: a shredding unit that cuts plastic films into strips, and a washing unit with injection means and recirculation loops. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and installed on industrial sites without requiring a single large complex facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic elements including a mobile receiving unit that can move relative to the washing unit, and recirculation loops that dynamically adjust fluid flow. The injection means moves relative to the receiving area to ensure thorough washing coverage while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Reliability
If soiled flexible plastic films are not treated immediately on-site, then the organic matter degrades rapidly releasing odors, but transporting the films to recycling facilities requires infrastructure that is not available at industrial sites
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary shredding of the plastic films into strips before washing. This preliminary action increases the surface area of the plastic, making the subsequent washing more effective at removing organic matter before it can degrade and produce odors, while allowing the system to remain compact enough for on-site installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation loops continuously circulate washing fluid through the system, maintaining constant contact between the washing fluid and the plastic strips. This continuous action ensures thorough and rapid removal of organic matter, preventing degradation and odor formation while the system operates in a compact on-site configuration.
3Loss of energy
If a compact washing system with recirculation loops is used, then fluid and energy consumption is reduced, but the system must still effectively remove organic matter contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation loops create a feedback system where washing fluid that has contacted the plastic strips is collected, filtered, and reused. This feedback mechanism maintains contaminant removal effectiveness by continuously circulating fresh washing fluid while minimizing overall fluid consumption and energy usage compared to single-pass systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses washing fluid through the recirculation loops, discarding only the necessary minimum amount. The shredding unit also breaks down plastic into strips that are easier to wash and separate from contaminants, improving the efficiency of the washing process and reducing the energy and fluid needed to achieve effective contaminant removal.
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
Enables efficient recycling of soiled flexible plastic films by reducing system footprint, minimizing energy and fluid consumption, and allowing on-site installation and operation, effectively removing contaminants and odors.
Implementation Method 1
a washing fluid, preferably water containing at least one washing agent and/or a disinfectant, preferably a surfactant and/or a disinfectant
Implementation Method 2
a first means for injecting a washing fluid
Implementation Method 3
a means for setting in relative motion at least the washing unit and the receiving unit relative to each other so that, in operation of the means for setting in relative motion, at least a part of said receiving area of the receiving unit is in a first range area of the first injection means
Implementation Method 4
a first recirculation loop of the washing fluid from a first washing fluid recovery zone to the first injection means
Implementation Method 5
effectively removing contaminants and odors
Implementation Method 6
a washing fluid, preferably water containing at least one washing agent and/or a disinfectant
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention concerns a system for washing waste, comprising: • a receiving unit (7) suitable for receiving waste in at least one receiving area, that can be movable (70) or static, • a washing unit (18) for washing the waste comprising a first injection means (9) for injecting a washing fluid, • a means for bringing at least the washing unit (18) and the receiving unit (7) into relative movement with respect to each other such that, when the relative movement means is functioning: - at least a part of said receiving area of the receiving unit (7) is within a first range (71) of the first injection means (9), and - at least a part of the receiving area of the receiving unit (7) is within a second range (72) of a second injection means (4), • a first recirculation loop (29) for recirculating the washing fluid from a first area (10) for recovering the washing fluid to the first injection means (9), the washing system being characterised in that it also comprises a prewashing unit (17) for prewashing the waste that comprises the second injection means (4) for injecting a prewashing fluid.