Rotating Drum Separator with Pressure Zones for Waste Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for separating flat and solid, or light and heavy solids are costly, inefficient, and face challenges with operational safety and the degree of separation, making them unsuitable for waste management applications.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable drum with openings in the shell, divided into areas of negative pressure and overpressure, where the end faces are closed by end plates connected by tie rods, and the drum is mounted rotatably with a ring-shaped bearing, allowing for adjustable rotation speed, opening shapes, and pressure settings to separate materials effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If drum screens with fixed end walls and scraping devices are used to separate solids, then separation between flat and solid parts is achieved, but the sealing effect is insufficient causing adhesive effects that reduce operability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the end walls and implements it through suction openings and suction hood that create negative pressure zones. This separates the sealing mechanism from the structural end walls, allowing effective sealing through pneumatic means rather than mechanical sealing edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by implementing suction openings connected to a suction hood that generates negative pressure. This pneumatic sealing approach replaces the mechanical scraping and sealing edge system, using air pressure differentials to prevent adhesive effects and improve operability.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex sorting systems with multiple nozzles and sensors are used to separate materials, then degree of separation is improved, but manufacturing and operating costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the drum surface into distinct functional zones with different pressure characteristics. By creating positive and negative pressure zones on different sections of the drum, the system achieves material separation through pneumatic forces alone, eliminating the need for complex sensor and nozzle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter across different zones of the drum surface. By varying pressure from positive to negative in different sections, the system achieves effective material separation through simple pneumatic parameter changes rather than complex mechanical or sensor-based systems.
3Device complexity
If conventional separating devices with limited striking surface are used, then device complexity is reduced, but separation effectiveness and operational safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the separation function with the drum structure itself. The drum surface with its openings becomes both the conveying element and the separation mechanism, eliminating the need for separate striking surfaces or additional complex components while maintaining operational safety.
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 provides a cost-effective, energy-efficient method for separating bulk materials into components, improving operational safety and meeting waste management requirements by mechanically and pneumatically separating solids based on pressure differences and adjustable parameters.
Implementation Method 1
one area (D) has negative pressure (pi) and the other area (E) has overpressure or atmospheric pressure (pa)
Implementation Method 2
flat parts get stuck on the surface of the screen drum
Implementation Method 3
the sorted material in the drum is partially made to adhere to the inner drum wall and adheres to the inner drum wall until the sorted material has reached an apex
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device or a separating drum (1) for separating planar and three-dimensional solids, and light and heavy solids, which device or separating drum can be installed and integrated in existing systems (15) for separating different material streams, such as garbage and waste. The separating drum (1) is substantially composed of a cylindrical shell having openings (A, A', A''), the end faces of which cylindrical shell are closed with fixed plates (8, 8'). The inner volume of the separating drum (1) is divided into an overpressure area (E) and a vacuum area (D) by means of a partition (10, 10'), whereby the separation of planar and three-dimensional solids is at least partially effected.