Plastic Pre-washing Apparatus with Density Separation and Water Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for pre-washing comminuted plastic parts and separating heavy substances like sand or silt are either complex and expensive or fail to adequately perform both functions simultaneously, leading to inefficiencies and material loss.
Innovation Solution
A combined device with a separation chamber filled with water for heavy substance separation, a washing chamber using shower/spray water for further cleaning, and a discharge chamber for pre-washed materials, incorporating screw conveyors and water circulation to minimize water consumption and ensure effective material handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a combined device performs both heavy material separation and pre-washing functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heavy material separator and pre-washer into a single integrated device with interconnected chambers. The heavy material separation chamber and pre-washing chamber are merged into one continuous flow system, allowing both functions to be performed sequentially without requiring separate standalone equipment, thus achieving functional versatility while controlling overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed as a multi-functional unit where the same apparatus performs both heavy material separation and pre-washing operations. The water circulation system serves dual purposes: it aids in heavy material separation by providing buoyancy differentiation and simultaneously performs pre-washing of the comminuted plastic parts, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Reliability
If separate devices are used for heavy material separation and pre-washing, then functional performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates heavy material separation and pre-washing functions into a single continuous processing line with interconnected chambers. The heavy material separator chamber feeds directly into the pre-washing chamber, creating a seamless flow that maintains functional performance while reducing the number of separate equipment pieces, installation complexity, and overall system cost.
3Loss of substance
If water circulation is implemented, then water consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous water circulation system where wash water is collected from the pre-washing chamber, filtered to remove heavy materials, and recirculated back through the system. This continuous circulation eliminates the need for continuous fresh water input and discharge, significantly reducing water consumption while the integration of filtration and circulation pumps within the existing chamber structure keeps added complexity minimal.
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 device effectively separates heavy substances from comminuted plastic parts while pre-washing, reducing material loss and operational complexity, and promotes environmental sustainability through water circulation, achieving a simple and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
Heavy matter, which can cause damage to subsequent processing units if it continues to adhere to the plastic parts, detaches itself from the plastic parts and sinks down in the water in the separation chamber
Implementation Method 2
the separation chamber can be equipped with an agitator that protrudes downwards into the separation chamber and/or with an air injection and/or water injection, so that the good material always returns to the surface
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for prewashing comminuted plastic parts and for separating heavy materials or mineral constituents such as sand, silt, etc., comprises a material feed (1) for the plastic parts to be prewashed, a separating region (2) for the heavy materials, which comprises a separating chamber (3) that is filled with water during operation, a washing region (4) for the further washing of the floating fraction coming from the separating region (2), which comprises a washing chamber (6) working with a water bath (5) and/or shower/spray water, and a drawing-off region (7) for the usable material washed in the washing region (4), which comprises a drawing-off chamber (8) that is filled with water during operation, wherein the plastic parts pass via the material feed (1) into the separating chamber (8), preferably by gravitational force, via a first conveying device (9), as a floating fraction, into the washing chamber (6) and, as usable material, into the drawing-off chamber (8), and from there are conveyed via a second conveying device (10) to a material discharge (11).