Plastic Washing Unit With Turbulent Stirring And Centrifugal Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for washing and separating plastics from contaminants are inefficient, requiring multiple steps and energy-intensive mechanical actions, and often result in incomplete detachment of contaminants, leading to reduced plant capacity and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A washing and separating group that combines a washing container with a rotation shaft and transverse blades for turbulent stirring, and a centrifugal separating unit with a recirculating circuit, allowing for sequential mechanical actions to effectively detach and separate contaminants, while maintaining a closed water loop for efficient fluid recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blade stirrers are used to generate turbulence and rubbing in the washing fluid, then washing efficacy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vibrating screen instead of blade stirrers to generate mechanical vibrations that create turbulence and rubbing action in the washing fluid. The vibration frequency and amplitude are controlled to optimize washing efficacy while consuming less energy compared to continuous blade rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibrating screen operates with periodic motion, creating intermittent turbulence and rubbing actions that are sufficient for washing plastics. This periodic action reduces energy consumption compared to continuous blade stirrer operation while maintaining effective washing through repeated cycles of vibration.
2Productivity
If a high concentration of plastics is introduced into the washing container, then productivity is improved, but washing fluid contamination increases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts contaminants from the washing fluid continuously during the washing process using a vibrating screen that separates plastics from contaminants based on size and density differences. This continuous extraction allows high plastic concentrations to be processed without rapid washing fluid contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibrating screen operates continuously to separate plastics from contaminants throughout the washing process. This continuous separation action maintains washing fluid quality even when high concentrations of plastics are introduced, enabling sustained productivity without loss of washing efficacy.
3Reliability
If multiple washing and separating units are used in sequence, then decontamination quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrating screen performs multiple functions simultaneously: it separates plastics from contaminants, classifies plastics by size and density, and prepares materials for subsequent processing. This multi-functionality achieves high decontamination quality without requiring multiple separate washing and separating units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines washing and separating functions into a single integrated system using the vibrating screen. This merging of functions achieves effective decontamination while reducing device complexity compared to traditional multi-unit sequential systems.
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 configuration enables rapid and effective washing with significant energy savings, allowing for higher plastic concentrations and improved purity levels, reducing processing time and water consumption, and achieving high levels of decontamination with simplified plant operations.
Implementation Method 1
blade stirrers that generate turbulence and stirring in the washing fluid
Implementation Method 2
washing unit of centrifugal type that is placed serially downstream of the washing container
Implementation Method 3
the 'cyclone' effect generated by the vortex causes small pieces of plastics to separate from the heavy contaminant, which through gravity precipitates to the bottom of the tank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A method for washing and separating pieces of plastics (P), coming from containers, bottles and films made of plastics, from contaminating material (C), comprises the steps of: supplying the contaminated plastics (P) and a washing fluid (W) to a washing container (2); driving a blade stirrer (6) rotating in said washing container (2) for generating in the washing fluid (W) a turbulent stirring action to achieve a first separation of contaminant (C) from the plastics (P); removing from the container (2) a quantity (Q) of fluid (W) and plastics (P) to send the quantity (Q) to a centrifugal separating unit (3) to subject the quantity (Q) to the centrifugal mechanical action to separate the contaminant (C) further from the plastics (P); separating a first fraction (Fl) consisting of fluid and contaminants from a second fraction (F2) comprising plastics (P) that is returned to the container (2) to be stirred further, whilst the first fraction (Fl) containing contaminants (C) is evacuated to a filtering unit (Up) and is then again delivered to the container (2), and periodically evacuating from said washing container a fraction of heavy contaminants to be eliminated that settle on a bottom of said washing container. The washing and separating group (1) for implementing the aforesaid method is also disclosed.