Waste Plastic Decomposition Using Titanium Oxide Catalysts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for decomposing waste plastics and organics, particularly medical waste, are inefficient and costly, and generate harmful gases like hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride, posing environmental and health risks.

Innovation Solution

A decomposition method using titanium oxide granules as catalysts, optimized by controlling temperature between 420°C to 560°C, with specific surface area and particle size characteristics, and incorporating lime neutralization and oxidation catalyst treatments to remove harmful gases, while separating metals and inorganics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional decomposition methods are used for waste plastics, then decomposition treatment can be performed, but the treatment efficiency is low and large-scale apparatus is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecomposition treatment efficiencyVSAvoidapparatus scale
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the heating temperature range (420-560°C) and controlling the water content (1-20%) of the waste plastics to achieve efficient decomposition. By adjusting these parameters, the decomposition reaction proceeds effectively without requiring large-scale apparatus, thus resolving the contradiction between treatment efficiency and apparatus scale.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs local quality by adding specific additives (metal oxides, organic compounds) to the waste plastics before decomposition. These additives create localized catalytic effects that enhance decomposition efficiency at specific sites, allowing effective treatment with smaller, more targeted apparatus rather than requiring large-scale systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If decomposition treatment of chlorine-based plastics is performed, then waste plastics can be processed, but hydrogen chloride gas is generated causing environmental pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste plastics processing capabilityVSAvoidhydrogen chloride gas emission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful hydrogen chloride gas generated from chlorine-based plastics into beneficial calcium chloride through reaction with calcium hydroxide additive. The hydrogen chloride that would normally pollute the environment is transformed into a useful salt product, eliminating environmental harm while maintaining waste plastics processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calcium hydroxide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the harmful hydrogen chloride gas and the environment. The calcium hydroxide reacts with hydrogen chloride to form calcium chloride, acting as a bridge that neutralizes the harmful effect while allowing the decomposition process to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If decomposition treatment of fluorine compounds is performed, then waste plastics can be processed, but toxic hydrogen fluoride gas is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorine compound processing capabilityVSAvoidhydrogen fluoride gas emission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts toxic hydrogen fluoride gas generated from fluorine compounds into beneficial calcium fluoride through reaction with calcium hydroxide additive. The hydrogen fluoride that would normally be toxic is transformed into a useful fluoride salt, eliminating environmental harm while maintaining fluorine compound processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calcium hydroxide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the harmful hydrogen fluoride gas and the environment. The calcium hydroxide reacts with hydrogen fluoride to form calcium fluoride, acting as a bridge that neutralizes the toxic effect while allowing the decomposition process to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If decomposition treatment of biological waste is performed, then medical waste can be processed, but sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds are generated causing pollution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedical waste processing capabilityVSAvoidsulfur and nitrogen compounds emission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts harmful sulfur compounds and nitrogen compounds generated from biological waste into beneficial calcium sulfate and calcium nitrate through reaction with calcium hydroxide additive. These compounds that would normally pollute the environment are transformed into useful salts, eliminating environmental harm while maintaining medical waste processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calcium hydroxide as an intermediary substance that mediates between the harmful sulfur and nitrogen compounds and the environment. The calcium hydroxide reacts with these compounds to form stable calcium salts, acting as a bridge that neutralizes the polluting effect while allowing the decomposition process to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method efficiently decomposes waste plastics and organics, including medical waste, effectively removing harmful gases and metals, reducing environmental impact and treatment costs, and ensuring safe disposal without large-scale apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

heating and agitating the waste plastics and/or organics together with a catalyst composed of titanium oxide granules in which the active ingredient is titanium oxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

the heating temperature of the catalyst is within the range of 420°C to 560°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP1918032B1Decomposition method of waste plastics and organics
Publication Date: 2013.10.02 KUSATSU ELECTRIC
  • EP1918032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1918032B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1918032B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of efficiently decomposing waste plastics, organics, and particularly medical waste composed of varieties of plastics. The present inventors established a method of efficiently decomposing waste plastics, organics, and particularly medical waste mainly composed of varieties of plastics by optimizing conditions in a decomposition process and introducing a process of adsorbing and removing generated harmful gases, and have completed the present invention.