US 10,441,977 B2Granted

Single stream of air for separating mixed waste stream into three fractions

OwnerMatthew J. Skinnerinventor

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Abstract

Separation and classification equipment for separating a mixed waste stream into first, second and third fractions. The equipment comprises a feeding member for feeding the waste stream toward a gap and a blower for discharging a stream of air for mixing with the waste stream, as the waste stream falls through the gap. The first fraction falls through the stream of air and collects in a first collection area while the stream of air carries away the second and the third fractions. A rotatable permeable member is arranged to permit the stream of air to pass therethrough and thereby force and retain the third fraction against a surface of the rotatable permeable member and be conveyed, by the rotatable permeable member, toward a third collection area while the second fraction tends to separate, from the rotatable permeable member and the third fraction, and collect in a separate second collection area.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A separation and classification equipment for separating a mixed waste stream into a heavier weight first fraction, a lightweight second fraction, and a super lightweight third fraction, the separation and classification equipment comprising:

a first section and a second section;
an inlet for feeding the mixed waste stream toward a gap located in the first section of the separation and classification equipment;
a blower for discharging an stream of air at the mixed waste stream, as the mixed waste stream falls through the gap located in the first section and separating the lightweight second fraction and the super lightweight third fraction from the heavier weight first fraction such that the heavier weight first fraction falls through the stream of air and collects in a heavier weight first collection area while the stream of air carries the lightweight second fraction and the super lightweight third fraction away from the gap and toward the second section of the separation and classification equipment;
and
a rotatable permeable member being arranged in the second section of the separation and classification equipment, the rotatable permeable member permitting the stream of air from the blower to pass therethrough such that, as the stream of air passes through the rotatable permeable member, the super lightweight third fraction tends to be forced against and retained by a surface of the rotatable permeable member and be conveyed, by the rotatable permeable member, toward a super lightweight third collection area while the lightweight fraction separates, from both the rotatable permeable member and the super lightweight third fraction, and collects in a separate lightweight second collection area;
and
at least a portion of the stream of air, which passes through the rotatable permeable member, being returned back to an inlet of the blower, via an air return conduit, for a further pass through the separation and classification equipment.

4 more elements

A method of separating a mixed waste stream into a heavier weight first fraction, a lightweight second fraction, and a super lightweight third fraction, using separation and classification equipment, the method comprising:

dividing the separation and classification into a first section and a second section;
feeding the mixed waste stream through an inlet toward a gap located in the first section of the separation and classification equipment;
discharging an stream of air at the mixed waste stream, via a blower, as the mixed waste stream falls through the gap located in the first section;
separating the lightweight second fraction and the super lightweight third fraction from the heavier weight first fraction by permitting the heavier weight first fraction to fall through the stream of air;
collecting the heavier weight first fraction in a heavier weight first collection area while carrying away from the gap, via the stream of air, the lightweight second fraction and the super lightweight third fraction toward the second section of the separation and classification equipment;
arranging a rotatable permeable member in the second section of the separation and classification equipment, and the rotatable permeable member permitting the stream of air from the blower to pass therethrough such that, as the stream of air passes through the rotatable permeable member, the super lightweight third fraction is retained by a surface of the rotatable permeable member and conveyed, by the rotatable permeable member, toward a super lightweight third collection area while the lightweight fraction separates, from both the rotatable permeable member and the super lightweight third fraction, and collects in a separate lightweight second collection area;
and
returning at least a portion of the stream of air, which passes through the rotatable permeable member, back to an inlet of the blower, via an air return conduit, for a further pass through the separation and classification equipment.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/611,977Filed 2 Jun 2017
Published: US 2018/0345322 A16 Dec 2018
Granted: 15 Oct 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

B07B 7/01
Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents: using gravity
B07B 1/524
With brushes: the brushes being rotating
B07B 4/02
Separating solids from solids by subjecting their mixture to gas currents: while the mixtures fall
B07B 7/06
Selective separation of solid materials carried by, or dispersed in, gas currents: by impingement against sieves