Patent Publication Number: US-2023149945-A1

Title: Method and System for Facilitating Green Screening, Classification, and Adsorption of Target Elements from a Mixture

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to classifying, separating, and assorting solids. More specifically, the present invention is methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating green screening, classification, and adsorption of target elements from a mixture. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of classifying, separating, and assorting solids is technologically important to several industries, business organizations, and/or individuals. In particular, the use of classifying, separating, and assorting solids is prevalent for facilitating green screening, classification, and adsorption of target elements from a mixture. 
     For hundreds of years, humans have often used floatation or leaching to screen target metals, usually grinding the incoming material to less than 0.3 mm, and this kind of method is more suitable for the screening of fine particles than gravity separation, but it is not fully suitable for too fine particles 500 mesh or more. Using a shaker table screened &amp; classified material (e.g.: mineral, sludge, WEEE,), it is very common for a shaker to be used for recovery and can be high-efficiency classification screening. The shaker table has the limitations of the incoming material if the material is soluble in water. If the material is compatible with water, it is not suitable for use. Further, if the density is lower than 4.0, it is not suitable for use. Further, if the volume of the incoming material is too large or small, such as 20 mesh or less, 500 mesh or more, it is not suitable for use. 
     Generally, many mines often include a variety of elements or metal symbiosis. Further, the mine mixed with clay composition often leads to the metal particles in the incoming materials to increase the difficulty of separation and recovery efficiency reduction. Further, currently commonly used chemical methods to separate may lead to alternative environmental pollution problems. Further, for screening heavy metals and other elements, if the incoming material is mixed with a high proportion of clay, it may lead to reduced recovery rates using common screening methods (e.g.: floatation method, gravity method, etc.) because clay composition may tightly wrap the metal particles which in turn affects the return on investment coupled with the current global trend towards earth protection &amp; ecological maintenance. Also, the distribution of rare earth elements (Sc, Y, La, Ce,) in the earth&#39;s crust is quite scattered, and few rare earth elements are concentrated in deposits that allow commercial exploitation. Rare earth elements are a mixture of many elements, and it is difficult to separate each element. Rare earth element (REE) screening causes great environmental pollution &amp; health hazards (for example, high toxicity for biotic components). So how to use greening, separating clay from metals or rare earth elements will be more important. 
     From 1915 to today, more than 30,000 tailings ponds have accumulated, and more than 3,000 are in danger, and contains a lot of residual metal or important elements. Although some have been covered with houses, there are more than 70% of the idle in there, seriously affecting the local environment or ecology, for example, rain causes tailings to overflow, enter rivers or groundwater layers, and even into food supply chains, thereby endangering the health of residents. Over the next five years, the mining industry will produce an additional 40 billion to 50 billion tons of tailings (95 billion to 120 billion cubic meters). Further, by 2025, the world&#39;s total tailings may reach 640 billion cubic meters. Because many tailings or raw ore make use of floatation method, leaching method, gravity method, magnetic method but it is difficult for the current industrialization technology, to continue to screen clean (eat dry wipe clean) resulting in a considerable amount of metal residue. Further, the particles of metal residue are too subtle (even to RED CELL size) or too low density to screen for recycling. In addition, Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) contains metal elements such as gold, iron, silver, copper, platinum, and palladium, as well as rare earth elements such as palladium, vanadium, glass, and plastic. Although these elements are small in each phone—one phone, for example, contains only 0.034 grams of gold. Further, the world generated 42 million tons of e-waste in 2014 alone. According to estimates by the United Nations Environment Program, this figure is increasing by 3-5 percent per annals—the number of resources contained in used mobile phones is extremely large. The recovery of various metals or rare earth elements by tailings or WEEE can not only provide the raw materials needed for industrial development but also reduce the number of new mining areas developed by human beings and reduce ecological damage. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improved methods, systems, apparatuses, and devices for facilitating green screening, classification, and adsorption of target elements from a mixture that may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or limitations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is flowchart of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  2    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  3    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  4    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  5    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  6    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  7    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  8    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  9    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  10    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  11    is flowchart of a subprocess of the present invention method. 
         FIG.  12    is a block diagram of the present invention system. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  1    through  FIG.  12   , the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method  100  and system  1200  for facilitating green screening, classification, and adsorption of target elements from a mixture. The first step  101  of the method of the present invention receives a mixture. A mixture is a combination of elements and particles including both rare earth elements and waste. Additionally, the method has a step  102  that separates clay and metal constituted in the mixture. The method has a step  103  that then treats pollutants or toxins constituted in the mixture with magnetic beads. The toxins are elements that are unwanted within the final product that could potentially corrode the rare earth element (REE) or harm an individual that comes in contact with the mixture still containing toxins. The method has a step  104  that then treats the pollutants or toxins using nano bubbles generated by a 3-in-1 bubble generator. The bubble generator is a bubble production machine that produces Ultra-fine bubbles or micro-bubbles for recovery within with tailing, and waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)/REE particles with a mesh between 230 and 4,800 through the floating filtering method. The UFB-Ultra-Fine Bubble explosion principle may be used to destroy the structure of pollutants (e.g. pesticides or chemical agent residues) contained in incoming materials to remove pollution. Further, the method has a step  105  that screens and classifies the tiny particles constituted in the mixture based on magnetic separation. The magnetic separation usually uses high gradient fields to recover different materials. The tiny particles have a low density or size that make screening difficult. Next the method has a step  106  that screens and classifies the tiny particles constituted in the mixture based on gravity separation. The gravity separation includes an anti-leakage net underneath the grinding system. The anti-leakage net avoids loss and collects and resets the leakage into a feeding port connected to the gravitational device. Furthermore, the method has a step  107  that screens and classifies the tiny particles constituted in the mixture based on floatation. Finally, the method has a step  108  that collects the target element and rare earth elements (REE). 
     In reference to  FIG.  2   , a sub-process  200  of the method of the present invention enables a mixture to be grinded before filtration. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  201  by grinding and separating the mixture. As a result, the ground mixture is easier to be separated and filtered through when smaller than 0.3 mm and creating a more uniform mixture. The sub-process continues with a step  202  by presenting a gravity subprocess and a floatation subprocess. Based on the specifications of the mixture separation of the mixture may be better suited for gravity or floatation. 
     In reference to  FIG.  3   , a sub-process  300  of the method of the present invention enables the present invention to filter out a target particle size. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  301  by selecting the gravity subprocess based on mixture conditions. The mixture conditions are based on a physical specificity, chemical specificity, biological specificity, and digital specificity. The sub-process continues with a step  302  by filtering the mixture when a target particle size is different from the waste particle size. Accordingly, if the particle sizes differ a screening device can be utilized to separate the two different sized particles with the threshold being smaller than the unwanted particle size and bigger than the wanted particle size or vise versa. The sub-process continues with a step  303  by concentrating at least one output particle. Centrifugation is a technique that separates particles from a mixture based on their size, shape, density, viscosity of the medium, and rotor speed. A centrifugal device is connected at an outlet port of a shaker device to produce concentrate from each outlet to further filter and separate the mixture. High speed centrifugal measured may be used to separate based on differences in density or weight. 
     In reference to  FIG.  4   , a sub-process  400  of the method of the present invention enables a mixture to be filtered utilizing various sized bubbles. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  401  by integrating three types of bubbles. Consequently, three types of bubbles are added through the 3-in-1 generator. The 3-in-1 generator can create bubbles, micro bubbles and nano bubbles. The 3-in-1 generator can be adjusted to adjust the bubble size and emission order to target specific particles within the mixture. The 3-in-1 generator is specifically designed for floatation separation that improved recovery rates and the efficiency of the removal of dyes. The 3-in-one generator further can solve microbubbles in a liquid and use properties of a vortex pump turbine to effectively solve gas with a liquid or two liquids while adding it under pressure. The sub-process continues with a step  402  by monitoring the mixture. The mixture is observed to ensure any changes in characteristics are noted. The sub-process continues with a step  403  by differentiating at least one particle. The sub-process continues with a step  404  by receiving environmental commands. Based off of any changes to the mixture observed by the photographic observation system  1210  an artificial intelligence system sends commands to automatically or semi-automatically control an environment. The photographic observation system  1210  includes an electron microscope  1211 , camera  1213 , and infrared device  1212 . The photographic observation system  1210  differentiates particles using X-Ray and Near Infrared technologies. 
     In reference to  FIG.  5   , a sub-process  500  of the method of the present invention enables a 3-in-1 generator  1231  to be adjusted. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  501  by adjusting the recovery rate. The 3-in-1 generator  1231  can be specifically designed for floatation separation which can then improve recovery rates. The 3-in-1 generator  1231  alters the buoyancy of the bubbles that affects the recovery rate. The sub-process continues with a step  502  by adjusting the bubble size and arrangement order of each size. The 3-in-1 generator  1231  alters the bubble size and emission order to match with the target particles for floatation. 
     In reference to  FIG.  6   , a sub-process  600  of the method of the present invention enables a target particle to be monitored. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  601  by photographing the particle distribution. As a result, the particles are able to be differentiated easier. The sub-process continues with a step  602  by analyzing the at least one particle size, the at least one particle quantity, and the at least one particle type. Accordingly, the type of particle can be determined creating criteria necessary for proper separation. The sub-process continues with a step  603  by selecting a bubble size and arrangement order strategy. The bubble size is then selected based on the target particle criteria and a bubble emission order is selected based on the target particle criteria. The sub-process continues with a step  604  by adjusting the air pressure, temperature, PH value, adjuvant dosage, and adjuvant type. Consequently, the environment is adjusted for what is most suitable for the target particle within the floatation device  1230 . 
     In reference to  FIG.  7   , a sub-process  700  of the method of the present invention enables particle recovery utilizing magnetization. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  701  by selecting the floatation subprocess when the weight of a target particle is equal to the waste particle. When the weight of two particles being compared is similar centrifugation may not be applicable and floatation separation may be used. The sub-process continues with a step  702  by selecting a micro-bubble size or a nano-bubble sized based on the mixture conditions. For example, for particularly fine particles, the floatation separation my use ultra-fine bubbles or micro bubbles to filter the particles out of the mixture. The sub-process continues with a step  703  by recovering the target particle. The recovery can be targeted to REE or heavy metals according to the specificity of components within the tailings or mixture. The sub-process continues with a step  704  by treating a plurality of toxins. The sub-process continues with a step  705  by reducing a plurality of toxins. The plurality of toxins can be treated and reduced utilizing nano-bubbles from the 3-in-1 generator  1231 . The subprocess may utilize the ultra-fine bubble explosion principle to destroy the structure of at least one toxin contained in the incoming materials within the mixture. The at least toxins could be pesticides, chemical agent residues, and amongst other elements. 
     In reference to  FIG.  8   , a sub-process  800  of the method of the present invention enables removing particles from a mixture. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  801  by storing the at least one output particle in a container. The sub-process continues with a step  802  by adding a plurality of magnetic beads to the container. The plurality of magnetic beads is usually 20-30 nm for adsorption methods that include adsorbing target toxins. The sub-process continues with a step  803  by adding a water-soluble adsorbent to the container. The sub-process continues with a step  804  by smearing a specific metal water-soluble adsorption material to adsorb at least one toxin. As a result, the target plurality of toxins is adsorbed within the container. The sub-process continues with a step  805  by attracting the plurality of magnetic beads for collection. The sub-process continues with a step  806  by dispersing the plurality of magnetic beads to filter and recover at least one toxin. So, the mixture is exposed to a magnetic field switch design that draws the plurality of magnetic beads to one side of the container. The plurality of magnetic beads is then dissolved with the plurality of adsorbed toxins within water and the remaining toxins are collected with a standard filter screen. 
     In reference to  FIG.  9   , a sub-process  900  of the method of the present invention enables filtering utilizing a gravitational device  1220 . To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  901  by prompting inputting waste from electronic equipment, waste from mines, waste from tailing, or waste from silt. The waste may further include clay and various metals. The sub-process continues with a step  902  by separating clay and metal. The sub-process continues with a step  903  by treating at least one toxin. The sub-process continues with a step  904  by reducing at least one toxin. The plurality of toxins can be treated and reduced with similar methods previously disclosed utilizing the 3-in-1 generator  1231 . The sub-process continues with a step  905  by screening at least one target particle. The sub-process continues with a step  906  by classifying at least one target particle. As a result, the target particle is categorized into a particle type. The sub-process continues with a step  907  by receiving at least one target particle. 
     In reference to  FIG.  10   , a sub-process  1000  of the method of the present invention enables filtration with a biological device  1260 . To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  1001  by selecting charged microorganisms. The biological device  1260  can further produce a specific plurality of microorganisms that is charged for efficient incubation, decomposing, and repelling the originally negatively charged clay on the surface. The sub-process continues with a step  1002  by adsorbing at least one target particle with a plurality of positive ions. As a result, the clay is separated from the specific metal or REE. The sub-process continues with a step  1003  by separating at least one target particle from a mixture. The sub-process continues with a step  1004  by grinding at least one target particle into a plurality of fine balls. As required the physical and mechanical methods are combined to create a finely ground uniform target particle. 
     In reference to  FIG.  11   , a sub-process  1100  of the method of the present invention enables biological filtration with artificial intelligence. To that end, the sub-process begins with a step  1101  by establishing an artificial intelligence control environment. The sub-process continues with a step  1102  by selecting a microorganism. The biological device  1260  is used to separate clay and REE with a microorganism that is charged for efficient incubation, decomposing, and repelling the originally negatively charged clay on the surface. The sub-process continues with a step  1103  by testing the charge of the microorganism. For example, general soil or clay often has a negative charge on the surface, and electrostatically charged cations (e.g., manganese, potassium, calcium, sodium, etc.) are attracted to the surface of the clay particles. Clay has the characteristics of strong tension in contact with water unless the water causes expansion, and the tight tension is reduced (like balloon inflation to rupture). The sub-process continues with a step  1104  selecting the species of the microorganism. The sub-process continues with a step  1105  designing the excitation charge of the microorganism. The clay and REE separation may include excitation where the charge volume is adjusted in the microbial pool. The sub-process continues with a step  1106  by evaluating the artificial intelligence control environment based on the microorganism. The sub-process continues with a step  1107  by pouring a mixture into a microbial pool. The microbial pool is utilized for sieving and decomposition for particle of different sizes and may comprise a plurality of discharge ports. The sub-process continues with a step  1008  by sieving the mixture in the microbial pool. The sub-process continues with a step  1109  by decomposing the mixture in the microbial pool. The sub-process continues with a step  1110  by injecting at least one ground up material into the microbial pool. The sub-process continues with a step  1111  by adjusting a charge volume in the decomposition of the microbial pool. 
       FIG.  12   , illustrates a block diagram of a system  1200  for facilitating green screening, classification, and adsorption of target elements from a mixture, in accordance with some embodiments. The system comprises a processing device  1250 , a photographic observation system  1210 , a gravitational device  1220 , a floatation device  1230 , a grinding system  1240 , and a biological device  1260 . The photographic observation system  1210  further comprising an electron microscope  1211 , a camera  1213 , and an infrared device  1212 . The gravitational device  1220  further comprising a shaker table  1221 , a sieve device  1223 , and a centrifugal device  1222 . The floatation device  1230  further comprising a 3-in-1 generator  1231  and a magnetic field device  1232 . The grinding system  1240  further comprising an anti-leakage net  1241 . Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for presenting a gravity subprocess and a floatation subprocess. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for selecting the gravity subprocess based on mixture conditions. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for analyzing the at least one particle size, the at least one particle quantity, and the at least one particle type. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for selecting a bubble size and arrangement order strategy. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for selecting the floatation subprocess when the weight of a target particle is equal to the waste particle. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for selecting charged microorganisms. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for establishing an artificial intelligence control environment. Further the processing device  1250  may be configured for selecting a microorganism. Further, the system may include a grinding system  1240  communicatively coupled with the processing device  1250 . Further the grinding system  1240  may be configured for grinding and separating the mixture. Further the grinding system  1240  may be configured for grinding at least one target particle into a plurality of fine balls. Further the grinding system  1240  may be configured for adjusting, using the biological device  1260 , a charge volume in the decomposition of the microbial pool. Further, the system may include a sieve device  1223  mechanically coupled with the grinding system  1240 . Further, the sieve device  1223  may be configured for filtering the mixture when a target particle size is different from the waste particle size. Further, the sieve device  1223  may be configured for dispersing, using the sieve device  1223 , the plurality of magnetic beads to filter and recover at least one toxin. Further, the system may include a centrifugal device  1222  mechanically coupled with the grinding system  1240 . The centrifugal device  1222  may be configured for concentrating at least one output particle. Further, the system may include a 3-in-1 generator  1231  mechanically coupled with the grinding system  1240 . The 3-in-1 generator  1231  may be configured for integrating three types of bubbles. The 3-in-1 generator  1231  may be configured for adjusting the recovery rate. The 3-in-1 generator  1231  may be configured for adjusting the bubble size and arrangement order of each size. The 3-in-1 generator  1231  may be configured for adjusting the air pressure, temperature, PH value, adjuvant dosage, and adjuvant type. 
     Further, the system  1200  may include a photographic observation device communicatively coupled with the processing device  1250 . Further, the photographic observation device may be configured for monitoring the mixture. Further, the photographic observation device may be configured for differentiating at least one particle. Further, the photographic observation device may be configured for receiving environmental commands. Further, the photographic observation device may be configured for photographing the particle distribution. Further, the system may include a floatation device  1230  mechanically coupled with the grinding device. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for selecting a micro-bubble size or a nano-bubble sized based on the mixture conditions. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for treating a plurality of toxins. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for reducing a plurality of toxins. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for storing the at least one output particle in a container. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for adding a plurality of magnetic beads to the container. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for adding a water-soluble adsorbent to the container. Further, the floatation device  1230  may be configured for smearing a specific metal water-soluble adsorption material to adsorb at least one toxin. Further, the system may include a magnetic field device  1232  mechanically coupled with the floatation device  1230 . Further, the magnetic field device  1232  may be configured for recovering the target particle. Further, the magnetic field device  1232  may be configured for attracting the plurality of magnetic beads for collection. Further, the system may include a gravitational device  1220  mechanically coupled with the grinding device. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for inputting waste from electronic equipment, waste from mines, waste from tailing, or waste from silt. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for separating clay and metal. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for treating at least one toxin. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for reducing at least one toxin. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for screening at least one target particle. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for classifying at least one target particle. Further, the gravitational device  1220  may be configured for receiving at least one target particle. Further, the system may include a biological device  1260  coupled with the floatation device  1230 . Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for adsorbing at least one target particle with a plurality of positive ions. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for separating at least one target particle from a mixture. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for testing the charge of the microorganism. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for selecting the species of the microorganism. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for designing the excitation charge of the microorganism. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for evaluating the artificial intelligence control environment based on the microorganism. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for pouring a mixture into a microbial pool. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for sieving the mixture in the microbial pool. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for decomposing the mixture in the microbial pool. Further, the biological device  1260  may be configured for injecting at least one ground up material into the microbial pool. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.