DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING MATERIAL COMPOSITES

A device for separating material composites to be disposed of, including at least two material fractions with differing material properties, and a method for separating such material composites are provided. The device, in a region of an upper cover plate, has a bowl-shaped dispensing channel having at least one opening facing toward an impact chamber, and a dispenser arranged in the channel and designed to receive material fractions of a second type from the region of the chamber above a first separating screen and/or near the upper cover plate. Individual material fractions of a material composite, such as a material fraction of the second type to be comminuted and having a lower density than a first material fraction, may be separated in larger pieces from remaining material, to facilitate the transport of individual material fractions and further processing as part of raw material recovery.

The present invention relates to a device at least for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties according to the preamble of Claim1, and to a method for separating such material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two types of material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties according to Claim12.

Within the context of the sustainable use of raw materials, the reclamation of recyclable materials from material composites to be disposed of is playing an increasingly important role. The term “material composite” refers not only to permanent, not easily separable material combinations (e.g. by bonding, gluing, pressing) of two or more material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties, but also to inhomogeneous material accumulations, such as organic waste in not readily decomposable plastic bags.

The comminution of the material composites to be disposed of and separation into the different material fractions is usually the first step in the reclamation of recyclable materials.

A wide variety of comminuting devices have become known for the industrial reclamation of recyclable materials from material to be disposed of. Reference is made here to the comminuting devices described in EP 1 536 892 B1, EP 1 721 674 B1 or WO 2010/057604 A1, for example, each of which comprises a first comminution stage with a striking tool which rotates in a cylindrical housing and to the central region of which a feed channel for the material to be disposed of is led, wherein the striking tool rotates at high speeds, thus generating a high-speed radial air vortex which takes material fractions comminuted by impact in the first comminution stage from openings configured in the cylindrical housing to the discharge of sufficiently comminuted material fractions into a collection chamber. The disadvantage of these comminuting devices known from the state of the art is the fact that the material throughput is limited by the outlet openings in the housing.

To improve the material throughput and in particular to produce dust from the material to be disposed of, DE 10 2015 101 530 A1 of the applicant already discloses a comminuting device for the reclamation of secondary raw materials from disposed of material and a method for controlling said device.

The device and/or method described therein comprises two comminution stages, wherein the passage options, and consequently the throughputs, in the second comminution stage are advantageously increased as a result of the screens arranged on the double-walled housing. The different screen arrangements also make it possible to obtain dusts having different particle size distributions from the material to be disposed of with the described device.

All of the comminuting devices described here focus on a comminution of the material to be disposed of that is as complete as possible, in particular friction-comminuted material fractions and the collection thereof in collection containers as small pieces, in particular in the form of dust.

However, within a reclamation process of recyclable material, it may be advantageous to separate individual material fractions of a material composite from the remaining material in larger pieces; in particular if this can facilitate transport and further processing.

Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a device at least for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties that is improved in comparison to the state of the art, as well as an improved method for separating such material composites, which in particular allows the separation and/or the dispensing of individual material fractions in comparatively large pieces. This object is achieved with a device at least for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties having the features of Claim1, and with a method for separating such material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two types of material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties according to the features Claim12.

Advantageous configurations and further developments that can used individually or in combination with one another are the subject of the dependent claims.

The invention is generically based on a device at least for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two types of material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties, having an impact chamber for mechanical comminution, splitting and/or separation of the material composite to be disposed of into at least two types of material fractions, comprising a base plate, at least one side wall and an upper cover plate, a striking tool, which rotates in the impact chamber and comprises striking elements, a feed channel for delivering the material composite to be disposed of to the striking tool, wherein at least one first separating screen for separating material fractions of a first type into a first receiving chamber is disposed in the base plate and/or the side wall, and wherein at least one dispensing device for dispensing material fractions of a second type to a second receiving chamber is disposed above the first separating screen.

The device at least for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties according to the invention is based on generic devices in that,at least in sections, the dispensing device in the region above the first separating screen and/or the upper cover plate includesa preferably bowl-shaped dispensing channel configured with at least one opening toward the impact chamber anda dispensing means, which is disposed in the dispensing channel andand is configured to receive material fractions of the second type from the region of the impact chamber above the first separating screen and/or near the upper cover plate.

The dispensing device according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to receive at least one second material fraction of a material composite, preferably the one that is to be comminuted the least, and preferably also has a lower density than the first material fraction, from the region of the impact chamber above the first separating screen near the upper cover plate, in particular “floating,” and dispense it continuously or semicontinuously.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing means arranged in the dispensing channel is configured as a screw conveyor, as a spiral conveyor and/or as a cellular wheel. A dispensing means configured in this way advantageously makes it possible to in particular dispense material fractions of the second type out of the device without further comminuting them during dispensing. A screw conveyor can advantageously have higher axial rigidity and thus greater robustness, in particular during long-term operation. Dispensing means configured as spiral conveyors, on the other hand, have the advantage that, owing to the absence of a screw shaft (a so-called “soulless structure”), they are less likely to be clogged by material that adheres to or catches on the screw shaft and can consequently freely dispense in particular larger, film-like material fractions of the second type. A dispensing means configured as a cellular wheel can advantageously shield the dispensing channel from any material fractions of the first type that are flung up and functions as a sluice for receiving material fractions of the second and third type.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it has proven effective for the dispensing channel between the second receiving chamber and the first bowl-shaped section in the impact chamber to include a longitudinally axial section and/or a transversely axial section. In a longitudinally axial, preferably tubular section or in a transversely axial, preferably polygonal section of the dispensing channel, the material fraction of the second type can advantageously be transported to the second receiving chamber largely without air turbulence.

An embodiment, in which means for completely or partially reversibly closing the opening are provided, has proven effective as well. Means for completely or partially reversibly closing the opening can protect the dispensing channel and/or the dispensing means from damage caused by relatively heavy material fractions of the first type that may be flung up. Furthermore, the quantity of the material inflow can advantageously be controlled, in particular by a partial closing of the opening.

An alternative configuration includes the arrangement of rake-like elements in the upper region of the impact chamber or of other suitable catching bodies that catch the lighter material, preferably at the upper reversal point of the material. To do this, it would be necessary to provide a suitable dispensing device for the lighter material, and/or the catching bodies, or the rake-like elements.

It would also be conceivable to allow the upper opening to become clogged with the lighter material and to intermittently disconnect it from the impact chamber via a valve or slide arrangement to remove the lighter material fraction.

With respect to the height of the impact chamber, it can be provided that the necessary height of the impact chamber is dimensioned in such a way that, similar to the manner of a floating sifter, the lighter material fraction, in particular also the larger material fraction that consequently has greater buoyancy, accumulates in the upper region.

It is also advantageous if a dispensing means configured as a screw conveyor and/or as a spiral conveyor ends in a longitudinally axial, preferably tubular, section, and a dispensing means configured as a cellular wheel ends in a transversely axial, preferably polygonal, section of the dispensing channel. Material fractions of the second type dispensed from the device can advantageously be transported out of the longitudinally axial, preferably tubular, section or out of the transversely axial, preferably polygonal, section of the dispensing channel into the second receiving chamber. For this purpose, the longitudinally axial and the transversely axial section of the dispensing channel can advantageously include conveying means, such as belt conveyors and/or movable rakes, and/or be configured as a chute.

In a further preferred embodiment, it has proven effective to dispose a movable rake for the portioned dispensing of material fractions of the second type into the second receiving chamber between the dispensing means and the second receiving chamber, in particular in the longitudinally or transversely axial sections of the dispensing channel. A rake disposed in this way can advantageously remove pieces of material fractions of the second type, which have fallen out of the dispensing means during dispensing, from the region between the dispensing means and the second receiving chamber, in particular from the longitudinally or transversely axial sections of the dispensing channel, and deliver them to the second receiving chamber. As a result, clogging of these regions by material that accumulates during operation can advantageously be prevented.

An embodiment has furthermore proven effective, in which feed nozzles for delivering fresh air for transporting material fractions of the second type across the striking tool are disposed adjacent to the first separating screens.

The delivery of fresh air via feed nozzles disposed adjacent to the first separating screens can advantageously serve to control the flow velocity of a circulating airflow in the region of the first separating screens, in particular an airflow created by the striking tool. Material fractions of the second type can advantageously be carried into the circulating airflow from the region of the first separating screens and then transported to the region of the impact chamber near the upper cover plate.

It is also advantageous if feed nozzles for delivering fresh air for transporting material fractions of the second type to the upper cover plate, in particular to the dispensing device, are disposed in the side wall. Such feed nozzles for delivering fresh air, which are disposed in the side wall, can advantageously be used for pressure equalization and/or for stabilization, and also for controlling the circulating airflow in the impact chamber. Material fractions of the second type can thus be delivered to the dispensing device in a more targeted manner.

Fresh air is understood to be deliverable recirculating air, or particularly preferably recirculating air from the device that can be taken from the device elsewhere, in particular exhaust air that is suctioned out of the receiving chambers. This has the particular advantage that the exhaust air does not always have to be specially cleaned, and preferably only passes through coarse filters or separators to be cleaned of the respective material fraction.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the base of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel opposite to the opening to the impact chamber is operatively connected with a suction device for the supportive transport of material fractions of the second type into the dispensing means. It has also proven effective for a second separating screen for separating material fractions of a third type into a third receiving chamber to be disposed in the base of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel opposite to the opening to the impact chamber. The suction device can advantageously generate a dispensing airflow that can transport material fractions of the second type to the dispensing means in interaction with the circulating airflow in the impact chamber. Small-pieced, in particular dust-like, material fractions of a third type can also advantageously be removed via the suction device and thus already separated from material fractions of the second type during this procedure. The second separating screen disposed in the base of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel opposite to the opening to the impact chamber can advantageously prevent too large material fractions from being pulled into the suction device and thus in particular prevent clogging of the suction device.

Alternatively, a third type or further types of material fractions can be separated and removed from the material composite.

Lastly, an embodiment of the invention has proven effective, in which the dispensing means is disposed and configured relative to the second separating screen in such a way that material fractions of the second type adhering to the second separating screen are removed by the dispensing means during dispensing. Material fractions of the second type, which adhere to the second separating screen due to the dispensing airflow of the suction device, can thus advantageously be removed from the separating screen by the dispensing means, in particular scraped off, and dispensed from the impact chamber into the second receiving chamber by the dispensing means. Clogging of the second separating screen can thus advantageously be prevented, which can in turn advantageously shorten the system's service and/or cleaning times.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two types of material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties with the aid of a device as described above.

Compared to the generic methods, a method for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two types of material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties according to the invention is characterized in thata material composite to be disposed of, which comprises at least two types of material fractions having different material properties,is comminuted and/or split into material fractions of different types by interaction with striking elements of a striking tool and/or by interaction with at least one side wall of an impact chamber;a circulating airflow is generated in the impact chamber by a movement of the striking tool and/or by an injection of fresh air via feed nozzles;the types of material fractions are separated within the impact chamber into at least one material fraction of a first type and at least one material fraction of a second type by the circulating airflow in the impact chamber;the material fraction of the first type is fed into a first receiving chamber via at least one first separating screen disposed in a base plate and/or a side wall of the impact chamber;the material fraction of the second type is transported to a dispensing device at least partially by the circulating airflow; anda dispensing means of the dispensing device receives the material fraction of the second type from the region of the impact chamber above the first separating screen and/or near an upper cover plate and dispenses it from the device through a dispensing channel.

The method according to the invention advantageously makes the separation of material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties into material fractions of different types possible, wherein the separation of a material fraction of the second type that should at least be comminuted and preferably also has a lower density than a first material fraction can preferably be in relatively large pieces.

In a preferred method step, the material fraction of the second type is transported to the dispensing means of the dispensing device at least partially by a dispensing airflow, which is generated by a suction device that is operatively connected to a base of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel opposite to the opening to the impact chamber. If the material fraction of the second type is transported to the dispensing means of the dispensing device at least partially by a dispensing airflow, the dispensing yield, i.e. the quantity of material fraction of the second type received by the dispensing means from the region of the impact chamber near the upper cover plate and dispensed, can advantageously be increased.

Lastly, a method step is preferred, in which a material fraction of the third type, in particular a dust-like fraction, is separated from the material fractions of the first and/or second type by means of a second separating screen disposed in the base of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel opposite to the opening to the impact chamber, and suctioned out of the device with the aid of a dispensing airflow of a suction device that is operatively connected with a base of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel opposite to the opening to the impact chamber. Preferably a material fraction of a third type, which is lighter than material fractions of the first and second type, in particular a dust-like fraction, and is formed in the course of splitting the material composites into material fractions of different types, can thus advantageously be removed during operation. Contamination of the material fractions of the first and second type can thus advantageously be minimized, which can in particular be important for further processing of the material fractions of the first and/or second type within the context of raw material recycling.

The present invention relates to a device at least for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties, and to a method for separating such material composites, characterized in that, at least in sections, the dispensing device in the region above the first separating screen and/or the upper cover plate comprises a bowl-shaped dispensing channel having at least one opening facing toward the impact chamber, and a dispensing means, which is arranged in the dispensing channel and is designed to receive material fractions of the second type from the region of the impact chamber above the first separating screen and/or near the upper cover plate. The device according to the invention and the method advantageously allow individual material fractions of a material composite, preferably a material fraction of a second type that should at least be comminuted and preferably also has a lower density than a first material fraction, to be separated in larger pieces from the remaining material, as a result of which the transport of said individual material fractions and the further processing as part of a raw material recovery can be facilitated.

The material fractions of a first, second or third type may also be referred to in the following as first, second and third material fractions.

In the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the same reference signs identify the same or comparable components.

FIG. 1shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for separating material composites to be disposed of consisting of at least two types of material fractions which differ with respect to their material properties in a cross section through the dispensing devices4. The dispensing devices4are disposed above the cover plate23and, with an opening414, are operatively connected with the impact chamber2. The material composite5can be delivered to the device1or the impact chamber2via a feed channel11. A rotatable striking tool3which can be set in rotation by an electric motor32is disposed above the base plate21, which delimits the impact chamber2at the bottom. The impact chamber is laterally delimited by a side wall22, preferably a rotationally symmetrical cylinder. Disposed in the lower region of the impact chamber, in the base plate21and/or the side wall22, is a first separating screen441, via which a material fraction51of the first type can be dispensed. Said fraction thus enters the receiving chamber44and can be transported away from there. The rotating striking tool3creates superimposed and complex flows in the impact chamber2, which allow a lighter, preferably large material fraction52to accumulate in the upper region of the impact chamber2and be removed from the impact chamber2via the openings414and the dispensing devices4.

FIG. 2shows a plan view of the device1fromFIG. 1with an indication of a view into an impact chamber2. A striking tool3can be seen, which rotates in the impact chamber2and, via the interaction of its striking elements31with the material composites5to be disposed of, comminutes and/or splits said material composites into material fractions of different types of51,52,53and, through its movement, also generates a circulating airflow LS in the impact chamber2. The dispensing devices are seen from above in the plan view, which, along a preferably bowl-shaped, section411, have an opening414facing toward the impact chamber2and can transport the second material fraction52in the direction of an adjacent section412through a not depicted dispensing means. A suction device462can be provided to support the intake of the second material fraction52by the receiving devices4. Preferably, a second separating screen461[is added], which protects the suction device462from too large pieces of the material fraction52and, if necessary, serves to dispense a third material fraction53that can pass through the second separating screen461.

FIG. 3shows the device1ofFIG. 1with a dispensing means42of the dispensing device4configured as a screw conveyor421. In the region of the upper cover plate23, at least in sections, the dispensing device4comprises a bowl-shaped dispensing channel41with at least one opening414facing toward the impact chamber2and a dispensing means42, which is disposed in the dispensing channel41and is configured to receive material fractions52of the second type from the region of the impact chamber2near the upper cover plate23.

Material composites5to be disposed of, which consist of at least two types of material fractions51,52,53having different material properties and are delivered via the feed channel11of the device1, can, by interaction with the striking elements31of the striking tool3and/or by interaction with at least one side wall22of the impact chamber2, advantageously be split into material fractions51,52,53of different types, in this case into a heaviest material fraction51of the first type, into a material fraction52of the second type that is relative lighter than the first material fraction51and is in particular film-like, and into a, in particular dust-like, material fraction53of the third type that is smaller and/or lighter than the material fractions51,52of the first and second types.

After splitting, the types of material fractions51,52,53can be separated within the impact chamber2into at least one material fraction51of a first type and at least one material fraction52of a second type or, as shown, into three material fractions51,52and53by the circulating airflow LS in the impact chamber2. Similar to the principle of heavy materials sifting, the circulating airflow LS now transports the relatively lighter material fractions52,53of the second and third types in the impact chamber2into the region of the upper cover plate23. The relatively heavier material fraction of the first type51, on the other hand, remains in the region of the base plate21or sinks back down faster.

At least one first separating screen441for separating material fractions51of the first type into a first receiving chamber44is disposed in the base plate21and/or, as shown here, in the side wall22. A conveying means442for removing the material fraction of the first type51, which can in particular be configured as a suction device, as a belt conveyor and/or as a rake, can preferably be provided in the first receiving chamber44. The material flow to the conveying means442or into the first receiving chamber44can be controlled with the aid of the first separating screen441, which is preferably disposed in the impact chamber2at the first receiving chamber44.

This device is particularly suitable for separating film-like labels, for example, from heavy, preferably more brittle materials. Another excellent application is the treatment of biomass from organic waste recycling in urban communities. This biomass is sometimes disposed of in not or not readily decomposable garbage bags that are not directly suitable for fermentation or composting. The moist and heavy biomass settles in the lower part of the impact chamber and is relatively easily dispensed via the first separating screen441, whereas the film-like bags are broken up by the airflow and perhaps also by the striking tool, partly cleaned and, due to their large shape, accumulate in the airflow in the upper region of the impact chamber2.

Feed nozzles47for delivering fresh air for transporting material fractions52of the second type across the striking tool3, can advantageously be disposed adjacent to the two first separating screens441shown here. In the depicted example, fresh air is delivered via two feed nozzles47disposed in the base plate21, whereby the flow rate and/or flow quantity of the delivered air can preferably be regulated via control valves471disposed on the feed nozzles47. The thus delivered fresh air can advantageously blow material fractions of the second type52, which have not yet been transported into the region of the upper cover plate23by the circulating airflow LS, away from the separating screens441or the side wall22into the interior of the impact chamber2, and consequently into the circulating airflow LS. The separation of material fractions51,52of the first and second type can thus advantageously be improved and the stability of the circulating airflow LS can be increased at the same time.

Feed nozzles47for delivering fresh air for transporting material fractions52of the second type to the upper cover plate23, in particular to the dispensing device4, disposed in the side wall22, can further increase the stabilization of the circulating airflow LS and improve the transport of material fractions52of the second type to the dispensing means42of the dispensing device4. The air delivered into the region near the upper cover plate23can also advantageously equalize the negative pressure possibly created in the region of the opening414of the dispensing channel41by a suction device462.

As can be seen inFIG. 3, the dispensing means42which is disposed in the dispensing channel41and in this case is the screw conveyor421, is preferably configured to receive material fractions52of the second type from the region of the impact chamber2near the upper cover plate23. It can be advantageous if the dispensing means42projects at least partially into the region of the impact chamber2near the upper cover plate23.

Material fractions52of the second type, which enter the dispensing channel41through the opening414of the dispensing device4, can then be dispensed by the dispensing means42disposed therein along a dispensing direction AR into a second receiving chamber45. A drive424preferably serves to electromotively move the dispensing means42, in this case the screw conveyor421. Between the second receiving chamber45and the first bowl-shaped section411in the impact chamber2, the dispensing channel41preferably includes a longitudinally axial section412and/or a transversely axial section413(not shown here). If material fractions52of the second type fall out of the dispensing means42and remain in the longitudinally axial section412of the dispensing channel41, it has proven effective to, as shown here, dispose a movable rake43between the dispensing means42and the second receiving chamber45, in particular in the longitudinally axial412section of the dispensing channel41, for the portioned dispensing of material fractions52of the second type into the second receiving chamber45.

In particular dust-like material fractions53of a third type, which have been transported more easily than material fractions of the first51and the second52type and which have been transported to the dispensing device4with the aid of the circulating airflow LS in the same way as the material fractions52of the second type, can advantageously be separated from material fractions52of the second type with the aid of a suction device462for the supportive transport of material fractions52of the second type into the dispensing means42, which is operatively connected with the base416of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel41opposite to the opening414to the impact chamber2. A second separating screen461disposed in the base416of the bowl-shaped dispensing channel41opposite to the opening414to the impact chamber2can advantageously serve to separate material fractions53of a third type into a third receiving chamber46. The dispensing means42is also preferably disposed and configured relative to the second separating screen461in such a way that material fractions52of the second type adhering to the second separating screen461can be removed by the dispensing means42during dispensing.

FIG. 4shows a section of a second embodiment of the device1according to the invention with a dispensing means42configured as a spiral conveyor422. In this example, means415for completely or partially reversibly closing the opening414can be seen in the region near the upper cover plate23. The means415for completely or partially reversibly closing the opening414can, for example, be configured as retractable and extendable plates disposed in the region near the upper cover plate23of the impact chamber2. On the one hand, they serve to protect the dispensing means42from material fraction51of the first type that is flung up and, on the other hand, they can also advantageously be used to regulate the material flow of the other material fractions52,53into the dispensing channel41.

FIG. 5lastly shows a section through a third embodiment of a device1according to the invention with a dispensing means42configured as a cellular wheel423and functioning as a cellular wheel sluice. It can be seen that, in the case of a dispensing means42configured as a cellular wheel423, the dispensing direction AR is perpendicular to the axis of the dispensing channel41. Correspondingly, between the second receiving chamber45and the first bowl-shaped section411in the impact chamber2, the dispensing channel41in this embodiment can advantageously include a transversely axial, preferably polygonal, section413, in which the cellular wheel423ends. Material fractions, in particular of the second type52, which have been taken up with the aid of the cellular wheel423that preferably projects into the impact chamber2and dispensed into the second receiving chamber45, can then advantageously be removed from the device1with a movable rake, a belt conveyor and/or a chute.

The present invention advantageously allows individual material fractions51,52,53of a material composite5, preferably a material fraction52of a second type that should at least be comminuted and preferably also has a lower density than a first material fraction51, to be received from a region near an upper cover plate23and separated from the remaining material largely without further comminution, i.e. in relatively large pieces. This can be advantageous within a reclamation process of recyclable material, in particular if this can facilitate transport and further processing of individual material fractions51,52,53.

In a further embodiment of a device1according to the invention, alternatively or in combination with the arrangement in the region of the upper cover plate23, the dispensing opening4can also be arranged above the first separating screen441in the side wall22. The material fraction52of the second type can therefore be dispensed from the impact chamber2at an early stage, for example in an upward movement toward the upper cover plate23along the side wall22.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS P1552:

ALS Dispensing airflow

AR Dispensing direction

LS Cyclic airflow