Tire Sorting by Silica Content Using XRF and NIR Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current tire recycling methods, particularly pyrolysis, face challenges in accurately sorting tires based on their components without destruction and controlling the quality of carbon black production, especially regarding silica content, which affects the quality of the char material produced.

Innovation Solution

A method for sorting tires based on their silica content using sensor-based technologies like X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Near-infrared (NIR), and laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) to separate tires into streams with controlled silica content, enabling precise control of carbon black quality in the pyrolysis process, allowing for continuous sorting of various tire types without destructive processes or complex databases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pyrolysis is used to recycle tires, then tires can be decomposed to yield steel, volatile gases and carbonaceous char, but the quality of carbon black produced is inconsistent due to varying silica content in different tire types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality consistency of carbon blackVSAvoidacceptance of various tire types

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary sorting of tires based on silica content before pyrolysis. Tires are classified into low-silica and high-silica streams using detection means, ensuring that tires with similar silica content are processed together. This preliminary action maintains consistent carbon black quality while still accepting various tire types through controlled categorization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If tire sorting is performed without destruction, then tire components can be identified for sorting, but accurate identification of internal components like silica content is difficult without destructive testing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenon-destructive sortingVSAvoidsilica content detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces destructive mechanical analysis with optical and electromagnetic detection methods. Detection means such as Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), or laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS) are used to non-destructively measure silica content, carbon black content, and other tire components through the tire material without physical destruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from physical destruction to electromagnetic interaction. By using NIR, XRF, or LIPS techniques, the system measures the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with tire materials to determine compositional parameters like silica and carbon black content, achieving precise measurement without mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor technologies are used for tire sorting, then measurement accuracy of silica content improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesilica content measurement accuracyVSAvoidsorting apparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-functional detection system where a single sorting apparatus can utilize different sensor technologies (NIR, XRF, LIPS) depending on the specific application requirements. The system is designed to be universally applicable to various tire types and can switch between detection methods, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach allows for accurate and continuous sorting of tires into streams with precise silica content control, enhancing the quality of carbon black production and enabling the production of differentiated char materials, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the pyrolysis process.

Implementation Method 1

The silica content of the tires is measured by using one or more sensor-based technologies chosen from the group of electrical resistivity (ER), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Near-infrared (NIR) and laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray fluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-infrared spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser-induced plasma spectroscopy: Plasma

Implementation Method 4

One known way to recycle tires is by means of pyrolysis. Pyrolysis uses heat in the absence of oxygen to decompose the tire to yield steel, volatile gases and carbonaceous char.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS10882076B2Method for sorting tires

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 ADD VENTURES CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for sorting tires (15) on basis of its components as well as to an apparatus for carrying out such a method. The present invention also relates to the use of scrap rubber in a pyrolysis process to obtain a char material. The method for sorting tires (15) on basis of silica content (7).