Selective Sorting Installation for Heterogeneous Waste Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current waste sorting machines are limited to sorting two types of objects simultaneously and face significant throughput fluctuations due to heterogeneous waste composition, leading to inefficiencies and potential underfeeding or overloading, which degrades sorting quality.

Innovation Solution

A selective sorting process and installation that moves objects in a web format, using material recognition and sequential separation to direct objects to different receptacles, with recycling of non-ejected objects to maintain constant throughput and adapt to varying waste flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sorting machines are combined to sort more than two types of objects, then the number of object types that can be sorted simultaneously increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of object types that can be sorted simultaneouslyVSAvoidnumber of sorting machines required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting process is divided into sequential phases, where each phase targets a specific object type for extraction from the mixture. This temporal segmentation allows a single machine to handle multiple object types by processing them in separate cycles rather than requiring multiple simultaneous machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sorting machine operates in periodic cycles, sequentially extracting different object types from the waste stream. Each cycle focuses on one object type, and the machine repeatedly cycles through different object types, enabling a single machine to sort multiple types over time rather than requiring parallel machines for simultaneous sorting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If machines are oversized to avoid saturation from flow rate fluctuations, then reliability improves, but productivity decreases due to underfeeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle flow rate fluctuationsVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors the composition of the waste stream and adjusts the sorting parameters in real-time based on detected fluctuations. This feedback mechanism allows the machine to adapt to changing flow rates and compositions, maintaining optimal operating conditions without requiring oversized capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sorting machine dynamically adjusts its operating parameters based on real-time conditions. The system can modulate extraction intensity, adjust conveyor speeds, and modify detection sensitivity to match the actual waste stream characteristics, allowing the machine to operate at optimal throughput regardless of fluctuations in incoming material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If sequential sorting is implemented to sort more object types, then the number of object types that can be sorted increases, but the time required for sorting increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of object types that can be sortedVSAvoidsorting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sorting process maintains continuous operation by seamlessly transitioning between different object types. As one object type is being extracted, the system is already preparing the next extraction phase, and the conveyor continuously feeds material through the detection and extraction zones without interruption. This continuous operation minimizes idle time between sorting different object types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables efficient sorting of multiple types of objects and intruders, maintaining nominal flow rates and improving productivity by continuously reintroducing non-ejected objects, thus optimizing the sorting process for complex and heterogeneous waste streams.

Implementation Method 1

a material recognition device 51 for detecting and locating each waste 2 of the sheet 21, analyzing and identifying the material whose it is formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial recognition:

Implementation Method 2

a ramp 53 of ejection nozzles located below the plane of the conveyor belt 3 and whose nozzles, which are supplied with compressed air by solenoid valves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic ejection: Jet

Implementation Method 3

a fast conveyor belt 3 for moving the waste 2 in the form of a sheet 21 towards a sorting station 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical transport:

Data Source

PatentEP2064004B1Sequential selective sorting method and installation for implementing it

Publication Date: 2011.01.26 VEOLIA PROPRETE

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AI summary

The present invention relates in general to a method for selectively sorting miscellaneous