Sorting recycle materials with automatically adjustable separator using upstream feedback
First Claim
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1. A method of separating an input waste material stream, the method comprising:
- (a) measuring at least one characteristic of said input waste material stream correlating to a density of said input waste material stream;
(b) selecting an initial value for an adjustable parameter of an adjustable material separator based upon the at least one characteristic measured in step (a); and
(c) separating said input waste material stream, with said adjustable material separator, into a first output stream containing a majority of a first material and some of a second material, and a second output stream containing a majority of the second material and some of the first material.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for controlling an automatic separator apparatus of a Materials Recovery Facility. An input stream of recycled materials is provided, wherein the composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval. At least one characteristic of the input waste material stream is measured. An initial value is selected for an adjustable parameter of the automatic separator apparatus based upon the measured characteristic of the input stream.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of separating an input waste material stream, the method comprising:
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(a) measuring at least one characteristic of said input waste material stream correlating to a density of said input waste material stream;
(b) selecting an initial value for an adjustable parameter of an adjustable material separator based upon the at least one characteristic measured in step (a); and
(c) separating said input waste material stream, with said adjustable material separator, into a first output stream containing a majority of a first material and some of a second material, and a second output stream containing a majority of the second material and some of the first material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of sorting recycled materials, comprising:
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(a) providing an input stream of recycled materials, wherein a composition of the input stream is subject to variation during a time interval;
(b) moving the input stream through a separator machine having a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters;
(c) providing stored historical data representative of a set of historical values of the operating parameters corresponding to improved quality of separation for given values of a characteristic of said input stream;
(d) sensing a present value of said characteristic of said input stream; and
(e) adjusting said plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters, via a computerized control system, in response to said sensed present value of said characteristic of said input stream so that said adjustable machine operating parameters approach said historical values of the adjustable machine operating parameters corresponding to improved quality of separation for said sensed present value of said characteristic of said input stream. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An automated separator apparatus for separating an input material stream into first and second output streams, comprising:
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a plurality of spaced rotating discs defining a screen having a length;
a first actuator for adjusting an angle of inclination of said length;
a second actuator for adjusting a rotational speed of said rotating discs;
a sensing unit for sensing at least one characteristic of said input material stream; and
a control system responsive to said sensing unit and operably connected to said actuators, so that said screen automatically adjusts to changes in the sensed characteristic of said input material stream. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification