Polyvinyl Butyral Recovery from Laminated Glass

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for recycling poly(vinyl butyral) from laminated glass are environmentally unfriendly due to the use of organic solvents and complex chemical synthesis, and lack effective ways to recycle discarded safety glass in a sustainable manner.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the physical processing of discarded laminated glass to separate poly(vinyl butyral) from glass fragments using water washing and grinding, followed by drying and granulation, to produce a water-proof poly(vinyl butyral) laminate without the use of organic solvents, utilizing a series of filtration and grinding steps to achieve high purity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If organic solvents are used to extract poly(vinyl butyral) from laminated glass, then separation efficiency is improved, but environmental contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical extraction method using organic solvents with a mechanical separation method. The laminated glass is crushed and the poly(vinyl butyral) layer is mechanically separated from the glass fragments through physical processing, eliminating the need for organic solvents and associated environmental contamination while maintaining effective separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance to facilitate the separation process. Water is used to wash and separate the poly(vinyl butyral) layer from the glass fragments, serving as an environmentally friendly alternative to organic solvents while achieving effective separation through its physical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex chemical synthesis is used to produce poly(vinyl butyral), then material purity is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial purityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers poly(vinyl butyral) from discarded laminated glass through mechanical separation processes. Instead of producing fresh poly(vinyl butyral) through complex chemical synthesis, the method recycles and reuses the material from waste laminated glass, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining material purity through effective separation and cleaning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If chemical treatment is applied to purify poly(vinyl butyral), then material purity is improved, but environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial purityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical treatment processes with mechanical separation and physical cleaning processes. The poly(vinyl butyral) layer is separated from glass fragments through mechanical crushing and physical washing, achieving high material purity without the environmental harm associated with chemical treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method effectively recycles poly(vinyl butyral) from laminated glass in an environmentally friendly manner, reducing resource waste and producing a water-proof laminate with lower production costs and minimal environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

washing the reduced glass fragments with water and grinding the reduced glass fragments

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWashing:

Implementation Method 2

grinding the reduced glass fragments at a rotation speed ranging from 1400 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 2500 rpm for detaching the glass pieces from the poly(vinyl butyral) films

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGrinding: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

drying the poly(vinyl butyral) material to obtain a dried poly(vinyl butyral) material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrying: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9260582B2Method of producing poly(vinyl butyral) laminate from discarded laminated glass

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 SHAO SHU HUE

AI summary

Provided is a method of producing poly(vinyl butyral) laminate from discarded laminated glass. By means of breaking the discarded laminated glass, water-washing and grinding the reduced glass fragments, a reusable poly(vinyl butyral) material substantially free of glass pieces is obtained by physical treatment without using any organic solvent. After drying, granulation and formation steps, a poly(vinyl butyral) laminate is further obtained from the poly(vinyl butyral) material. Accordingly, the method not only reduces resource waste but also produces a water-proof poly(vinyl butyral) laminate, and is more environmentally friendly and more applicable to industry.