Polymeric Coating for Waste Particle Contaminant Leaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recycling and reusing waste materials, such as incineration ash, are inefficient and costly due to the need for extensive washing or rinsing to minimize contaminant leaching, which often results in incomplete contaminant removal and high environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of a polymeric coating to particulate waste materials to encapsulate contaminants, using a coating material that includes silane coupling agents and polymeric compounds, which adheres to the waste material surface and fixes the coating to create a stable barrier, thereby minimizing contaminant leaching and enhancing the material's inertness for recycling and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If washing and/or rinsing incineration ashes is performed to obtain a cleansed product suitable for recycling, then contaminant leaching is minimized, but the process becomes expensive, time-consuming and does not always guarantee high quality results
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is applied to the waste material surface before recycling processes, preemptively preventing contaminant leaching rather than removing contaminants through time-consuming washing steps. The coating acts as a barrier that is already in place when the material needs to be reused.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful washing step is completely removed from the process. Instead of washing to remove contaminants, the invention extracts the need for washing by applying a coating that prevents leaching, thereby eliminating the expensive and time-consuming washing operation entirely.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If washing and/or rinsing incineration ashes is performed to obtain a cleansed product suitable for recycling, then contaminant leaching is minimized, but the process becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A relatively inexpensive coating material is applied to provide a disposable barrier layer that prevents contaminant leaching. The coating itself can be a simple polymer or composite material that is cheap to apply but effective in its function, replacing the expensive washing infrastructure and operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The expensive washing step is completely removed from the manufacturing process. The coating application method is significantly cheaper than industrial washing operations, eliminating water consumption, energy for heating water, chemical additives, and extensive drying requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a polymeric coating is applied to particulate waste material to encapsulate contaminants, then contaminant leaching is minimized and material inertness is enhanced, but an additional coating step is added to the process
Solution Approach 1:
The coating application is merged with existing material handling processes. The coating can be applied during normal material transport or storage operations, combining the protective function with routine operational steps rather than requiring a completely separate dedicated coating facility.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin film coating is used that provides effective contaminant encapsulation without requiring thick layers or complex multi-layer structures. The thin film nature allows for simple application methods such as spraying, dipping, or rolling, which can be integrated into existing production lines with minimal additional equipment.
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 coated particulate waste material is effectively rendered inert, reducing contaminant leaching and making it suitable for use in building materials, such as lightweight concrete alternatives, while eliminating the need for costly washing processes and ensuring environmental safety.
Implementation Method 1
applying a coating material to said particulate waste fraction wherein said coating material comprises at least one polymeric compound
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention concerns a method for preparing a coated particulate waste material, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a particulate waste material with an average particle size of between 0.1 and 5.0 mm, and (b) applying a coating material to said particulate waste material, whereby said coating material comprises at least one polymeric compound.In a second aspect the present invention discloses a coated waste particle comprising a waste material core, and a coating surrounding said waste material core, whereby said waste material core has a particle size of between 0.1 and 5.0 mm and said coating comprises at least one polymeric compound.A further aspect concerns a building material, comprising one or more coated waste particles.