Recovery of unoxidized metals from organic insulated metallic scrap
AssigneeInternational Recycling Enterprises, Ltd.
InventorAlbert B. Baker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Metallic scrap containing a coating of organic insulation material is processed to recover a clean, unoxidized metallic substrate and various insulation by-products by thermally decomposing the organic insulation under pressure in a closed, externally heated vessel. Volatile decomposition products are periodically vented to a vapor recovery system and non-volatile decomposition products, primarily carbonaceous char adhering to the clean scrap, are separated by mechanical action such as vibration or tumbling. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.
Claims25
A method for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising:
- (a) thermally decomposing said organic insulation into volatile and non-volatile decomposition products in a closed, externally heated vessel at a pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure, and
- (b) separating said metallic scrap from said non-volatile decomposition products.
A method for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising:
- (a) placing the insulated metallic scrap in a closed airtight vessel;
- (b) thermally decomposing said organic insulation under a pressure of at least 10 psi by externally heating said closed vessel;
- (c) periodically removing volatile decomposition products from said vessel during said decomposing step while maintaining a pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure in said vessel;
- (d) recovering said volatile decomposition products in a closed recovery system;
- and
- (e) separating said metallic scrap from non-volatile decomposition products upon completion of said decomposing step.
Apparatus for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising:
- (a) a closeable airtight pressure vessel for receiving a charge of insulated metallic scrap;
- (b) means for externally heating said vessel to thermally decompose said organic insulation into volatile and non-volatile decomposition products;
- (c) means for periodically removing said volatile decomposition products from said vessel during the thermal decomposition of said organic insulation, said means for removing further maintaining a positive pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure in said vessel;
- (d) means for recovering said volatile decomposition products in liquid form, said means for recovering having substantially no gaseous effluent;
- and
- (e) means for separating said metallic scrap from said non-volatile decomposition products.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.