Refractory Material Recovery Plant Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for recovering refractory materials from steelmaking processes result in significant environmental damage and resource waste, as most demolition debris is landfilled without being reused, due to inefficiencies in processing fine fractions which generate dust and cannot be treated effectively.
Innovation Solution
A plant and method that includes multiple sieving and magnetic separation areas to divide refractory material into coarse and fine fractions, with further sub-fractions, allowing for efficient mechanical treatment at room temperature and pressure, optimizing material recovery and reducing dust generation by treating both fractions with the same equipment but in different moments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If fine fraction is subjected to treatment to recover materials, then material recovery is improved, but dust generation increases making treatment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The refractory material is divided into coarse fraction and fine fraction through sieving, allowing each fraction to be treated separately with appropriate methods. The fine fraction is processed in a controlled manner to recover materials while minimizing dust generation through targeted treatment approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and processing parameters of the fine fraction by controlling particle size distribution through sieving and adjusting treatment conditions. This allows the fine fraction to be treated effectively while controlling dust generation through parameter optimization.
2Loss of substance
If multiple separation areas are added to process both coarse and fine fractions, then material recovery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plant uses the same magnetic separation and sorting equipment for both coarse and fine fractions, making the devices multi-functional. This reduces the need for separate dedicated equipment for each fraction type, thereby limiting device complexity while maintaining comprehensive material recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the treatment processes for coarse and fine fractions into a unified plant structure, where both fractions pass through magnetic separation and sorting areas. This merging of processes reduces overall device complexity compared to having completely separate treatment lines.
3Device complexity
If fine fraction is discarded without treatment, then device complexity is reduced, but environmental damage and resource waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful fine fraction (which caused dust issues) into a beneficial resource by treating it to recover materials. The fine fraction is transformed from waste material into recoverable resources through magnetic separation and sorting, eliminating environmental damage while creating valuable products.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the treatment approach for fine fraction from disposal to recovery, the patent transforms an environmental problem into a solution. The fine fraction is processed through controlled magnetic separation and sorting, converting it into recoverable materials and eliminating landfill disposal and associated environmental damage.
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 solution enables the recovery of reusable materials like basic granulate and aluminous granulate, reducing waste and environmental impact by optimizing material recovery and processing, and minimizing chemical reactions, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of refractory material recycling.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnetic separation area (3) and at least one sorting area (4)... at least one material magnetic separation area (3)... magnetic separation of the fine fraction, b3) magnetic separation of the coarse fraction
Implementation Method 2
first sieving area (2) comprising first sieving means intended to divide the refractory material into at least two fractions... second sieving area (21) comprising second sieving means intended to divide the fine fraction into at least two further sub-fractions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Plant for the recovery of spent refractory material in steel plants, comprising at least one receiving area (1) for said refractory material, at least one material sieving area (2), at least one magnetic separation area (3) and at least one sorting area (4). Said receiving area (1) communicates with a first sieving area (2) comprising first sieving means intended to divide said refractory material in at least two fractions, of which a coarse fraction and a fine fraction, on the basis of the size of said material. There is further provided a second sieving area (21) comprising second sieving means intended to divide said fine fraction into at least two further sub-fractions (A, B, C) on the basis of size.