Patent ID: 8329768
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: C08J,Y02P,Y02W

Abstract:
1. A method for separating non-biogenic plastic and biogenic waste from a waste stream containing both non-biogenic plastic and biogenic waste, and capturing the non-biogenic plastic, comprising the steps of: feeding a waste stream containing non-biogenic plastic and biogenic waste through an inlet into a generally vertically oriented conduit, at locations in the conduit above the inlet, feeding a pressurized gas into the conduit via a first tangential port that is configured to create a first flow of gas in the conduit in a first direction and via a second tangential port that is configured to create a second flow of gas in the conduit in a second direction that is opposite the first direction so that the first flow and the second flow create a vacuum in the conduit, which allows kinetic energy to convey materials upwardly through the conduit, allowing a substantial portion of the biogenic waste to drop by gravity down the conduit and out a first outlet, and by locating the tangential ports at such a distance above the inlet, causing the said vacuum and kinetic energy to draw in the non-biogenic plastic entering the inlet upwardly and convey same up through the conduit to a second outlet.