Non-corrosive Polyol Cleaning for Recyclable Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current recycling processes for materials like bleaching clay and plastic are energy-intensive and environmentally unfriendly due to the use of high temperatures and corrosive or flammable solvents, which limits the effectiveness of contaminant removal and generates waste.
Innovation Solution
A non-corrosive process using a solution with at least 15 wt.% polyol at temperatures between 45-130°C to remove contaminants from recyclable materials, followed by phase separation and recycling of the polyol phase, allowing for efficient contaminant removal and material reuse without corrosive compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high temperatures and corrosive solvents are used for cleaning recyclable materials, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but environmental friendliness and energy efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by using polyols (glycol, glycerin) instead of traditional corrosive solvents and caustic solutions. This parameter change allows effective contaminant removal while eliminating the harmful effects of corrosive and flammable chemicals, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and environmental friendliness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by operating at elevated temperatures (45-130°C) to enhance the cleaning effectiveness of polyols. The temperature parameter change enables the polyol solution to effectively remove contaminants while remaining environmentally friendly, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and environmental safety
2Manufacturing precision
If high temperatures are used for cleaning recyclable materials, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to a moderate range (45-130°C) that is sufficient for effective contaminant removal when using polyols, avoiding the need for high-temperature processes. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving good cleaning results with reduced energy consumption compared to conventional high-temperature methods
3Manufacturing precision
If corrosive solutions are used for cleaning recyclable materials, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but material corrosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful property of traditional cleaning solutions (corrosiveness) into a beneficial property by using polyols that are non-corrosive yet effective. The polyols achieve good contaminant removal without causing material corrosion, directly resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and material protection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from corrosive solvents (caustic solutions, flammable solvents) to non-corrosive polyols. This parameter change maintains contaminant removal effectiveness while eliminating material corrosion, resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and material integrity
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 process effectively removes contaminants from recyclable materials while being environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, enabling the reuse of cleaned materials and recycling of the polyol phase, thus enhancing both environmental attractiveness and economic viability.
Implementation Method 1
treating the contaminated recyclable material at a temperature in the range of from 45-130° C. with a solution that contains one or more polyols to remove contaminants
Implementation Method 2
allowing at least part of the remaining liquid mixture as obtained in step (c) to phase-separate into a polyol phase and a phase which contains contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a non-corrosive process for cleaning a recyclable material comprising the following steps: (a) providing a contaminated recyclable material; (b) treating the contaminated recyclable material at a temperature in the range of from 45-30° C. with a solution that contains one or more polyols to remove contaminants from the contaminated recyclable material, wherein the one or more polyols is (are) present in an amount of at least 15 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution, thereby forming a liquid 10 mixture which comprises one or more polyols, contaminants removed from the recyclable material, and treated recyclable material; (c) separating at a temperature in the range 10-55° C. at least part of the recyclable material as obtained in step (b) from the liquid mixture as obtained in step (b); (d) allowing at least part of the remaining liquid mixture as obtained in step (c) to phase-1 separate into a polyol phase and a phase which contains contaminants removed from the contaminated recyclable material; (e) recovering the polyol phase as obtained in step (d); (f) recovering the phase which contains contaminants removed from the recyclable material as obtained in step (d); and 20 (g) recovering the separated recyclable material as obtained in step (c).