System for processing fiberglass
AssigneeRegenex LLC
InventorsDaniel B. Mulligan, Russell H. Poy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Process and apparatus for recovering clean fiberglass and urea formaldehyde from urea formaldehyde treated waste fiberglass, which involves the use of a continuous batch tunnel machine comprising end to end modules in each of which a perforated basket is rotatable and of such construction as to transfer goods within each basket to subsequent baskets and out the end of the basket at the exit of the machine. The waste fiberglass is introduced into the basket at the entrance to the machine to pass the fiberglass out the end of the machine, during which it passes through acid and wash loops in which the recovery takes place.
Claims11
A process for recovering clean fiberglass and resin from resin treated waste fiberglass which involves the use of a continuous batch tunnel machine having an entrance and exit comprising end to end modules in each of which a perforated basket is rotatable and of a construction to transfer goods within each basket to subsequent baskets and out the end of the basket at the exit of the machine, including the steps of
- introducing the waste fiberglass into the basket at the entrance to the machine, and, as the fiberglass is moved through subsequent basket and out the exit of the machine;
- establishing an acid loop having a tank by
- introducing a solution of phosphoric acid and water into a module downstream of the entrance for counterflow through the fiberglass in the modules upstream thereof as it is transferred from basket to basket in a downstream direction;
- collecting the solution from the modules through which it flows;
- cooling the collected solution and passing the cooled solution into a clarifier in which a sludge of resin is separated and collected for recovery therefrom;
- heating the solution upon separation from the resin;
- adding make up water and phosphoric acid to the heated solution to return it to essentially its original concentration;
- introducing the solution as reconstituted, into the downstream module for re-circulation through the acid loop, and;
- as the fiberglass continues to be transferred from module to module and out the exit of the machine;
- establishing a water loop
- wherein the fiberglass so transferred is washed in water before discharged from the exit of the machine.
Apparatus for recovering clean fiberglass and resin from resin treated waste fiberglass, comprising
- a continuous batch tunnel machine having an entrance and exit end to end modules in each of which a perforated basket is rotatable and of a construction to transfer goods within each basket to subsequent baskets and out the end of the basket at the exit of the machine;
- whereby the waste fiberglass is introduced into the basket at the entrance to the machine for movement through subsequent baskets and out the exit of the machine;
- an acid loop having
- means for introducing a solution of phosphoric acid and water into a module downstream of the entrance for counterflow through the fiberglass in the modules upstream thereof as it is transferred from basket to basket in a downstream direction;
- means in which the solution is collected from the modules through which it flows;
- a means for cooling the collected solution;
- a clarifier into which the cooled solution is passed to cause a sludge of resin to be separated and collected for recovery therefrom;
- means for heating the solution upon separation from the resin;
- means for adding make up water and phosphoric acid to the heated solution to return it to essentially its original concentration;
- means for introducing the solution as reconstituted into the downstream module for re-circulation through the acid loop;
- and
- a water loop having
- means for washing the fiberglass in water as it continues to be transferred from module to module and out the exit of the machine before discharge from the exit of the machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.