Rotating Drum Separator for Fiber Composite Pre-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing fiber-containing composite materials, such as used beverage packaging, lack flexibility in handling varying compositions and purities, are complex and costly, and cannot efficiently pre-clean materials before dissolution, limiting their capacity and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A double container device with a rotating inner drum-like container featuring sieve holes and baffles, allowing for adjustable operation to pre-clean, dissolve, and separate fiber-containing composite materials into individual components, including fiber, plastic, and metal, while being modular and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for pre-cleaning, dissolving, and separating fiber-containing composite materials, then each function can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the system becomes complex, space-consuming, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pre-cleaning, dissolving, and separating functions into a single integrated device with a rotatable drum container. The drum shell with sieve holes and internal baffles performs multiple operations sequentially as material moves through the system, eliminating the need for separate pre-cleaning devices, pulpers, and sieve drums that would otherwise be required
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable drum container serves multiple functions: it acts as a pre-cleaning chamber with baffles, a dissolving pulper with water injection, and a separating sieve drum with perforations. By rotating the single drum to different positions, the system can perform different operations with the same structural component
2Productivity
If traditional processing systems are designed for specific material compositions, then processing efficiency for that material is optimized, but flexibility to handle varying material compositions and purities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the drum rotation speed and direction, water injection rates, and baffle positioning to adapt to different material compositions. The rotatable drum can be operated at various speeds and directions depending on whether the input material is highly contaminated or relatively clean, optimizing processing for each scenario
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables changing operational parameters such as drum rotation speed, water flow rate, and baffle configuration to match different material characteristics. This allows the same device to efficiently process materials with varying fiber content, contamination levels, and additive compositions
3Device complexity
If a single integrated device performs pre-cleaning, dissolving, and separating functions, then device complexity is reduced and costs are lowered, but the ability to perform each function optimally may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drum container is segmented into functional zones: a pre-cleaning section with baffles for mechanical separation, a dissolving section with water injection points for chemical breakdown, and a separating section with sieve holes for filtration. Each zone is optimized for its specific function while being integrated into a single rotatable structure
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 device achieves efficient separation and purification of fiber-containing composite materials, is flexible with regard to composition and purity, and can be easily expanded, reducing investment and operating costs while enabling pre-cleaning and efficient processing of varying material types.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one baffle (which acts as an interference edge) causes mechanical stress on the mixture of water and starting material contained in the inner container when the inner container is turned or rotated, thus increasing the dissolution of the starting material with water into the individual components
Implementation Method 2
separation of the mixture contained in the inner container from the individual components dissolved with water into a fibrous-rich fraction and a fibrous-poor fraction is achieved through the sieve holes
Implementation Method 3
the starting material can be pre-cleaned, in which the starting material is cleaned with water, for example of fatty substances such as milk, before it is dissolved into the individual components
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for processing composite materials containing fibers, in particular packaging materials containing fibers and in particular used beverage packagings. Said device comprises a double container, which comprises: an inner drum-like container having a hollow cylindrical drum body, which is closed by means of an end bottom at one of two end faces of the drum body and is open at an opposite end face of the drum body, wherein the drum body has screen holes at least on a section of the circumferential surface of the drum body, and wherein at least one baffle is provided at least on a section of the circumferential surface of the drum body and/or on the end bottom, and an outer container, which at least partially surrounds the drum body of the inner, drum-like container, such that an intermediate space is formed between the outer surface of the inner, drum-like container and the inner surface of the outer container, wherein the double container can be pivoted in the vertical plane.