Materials recovery facility process optimization via unit operation feedback
First Claim
1. A method of sorting recycled materials, comprising:
- (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) adjusting via a computerized control system a first one of the adjustable machine operating parameters while monitoring with the computerized control system a quality of separation achieved by the separator machine, so as to select a value of the first parameter that improves the effect of the first parameter on the monitored quality of separation;
(d) after step (c), adjusting a second one of the adjustable machine operating parameters while monitoring the quality of separation achieved by the separator machine, so as to select a value of the second parameter that improves the effect of the second parameter on the monitored quality of separation; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) with the computerized control system during the time interval so that the effects of the adjustable machine operating parameters are repeatedly automatically adjusted as the composition of the input stream varies during the time interval.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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. The input stream passes through a separator machine having a plurality of adjustable machine operating parameters. Via a computerized control system the first one of the operating parameters is adjusted for monitoring the quality of separation achieved by the separator machine so as to select a value of the first parameter that improves the monitored quality of separation. This process is continued for each of the other adjustable parameters of the separator machine, and then the process is repeated so as to continuously adjust the operating parameters of the separator machine to optimize its efficiency of separation.
-
Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A method of sorting recycled materials, comprising:
-
(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) adjusting via a computerized control system a first one of the adjustable machine operating parameters while monitoring with the computerized control system a quality of separation achieved by the separator machine, so as to select a value of the first parameter that improves the effect of the first parameter on the monitored quality of separation;
(d) after step (c), adjusting a second one of the adjustable machine operating parameters while monitoring the quality of separation achieved by the separator machine, so as to select a value of the second parameter that improves the effect of the second parameter on the monitored quality of separation; and
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) with the computerized control system during the time interval so that the effects of the adjustable machine operating parameters are repeatedly automatically adjusted as the composition of the input stream varies during the time interval. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of sorting an input waste material stream including a mixture of first and second materials, comprising:
-
(a) passing said input waste material stream through an adjustable separator having at least one adjustable parameter, and separating said input waste material stream into a first output stream containing the majority of said first material and some contaminant second material, and a second output stream containing the majority of said second material and some contaminant first material;
(b) adjusting the adjustable parameter;
(c) monitoring the amount of contaminant second material in said first output stream, and the amount of contaminant first material in said second output stream, both before and after step (b), and generating a signal indicative of whether the combined amount of contaminant material has decreased;
(d) further adjusting said adjustable parameter responsive to said signal, in a direction indicated by step (c) as being favorable to decreasing the combined amount of contaminant material in the first and second output streams. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A separator system, comprising:
-
a separator for separating a stream of recyclable paper and containers into a paper stream including primarily paper and a container stream including primarily containers, said separator having at least one adjustable operating parameter;
a first detector for detecting an amount of container contaminants in said paper stream;
a second detector for detecting an amount of paper contaminants in said container stream; and
a control system operably connected to the separator and the first and second detectors for adjusting the adjustable operating parameter so as to reduce a combined measure of contaminants in the paper stream and the container stream. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. An automated separator system for separating containers from paper, comprising:
-
(a) a plurality of spaced rotating discs defining a screen having a length, said screen being adjustable with regard to;
(a)(1) an angle of inclination along said length; and
(a)(2) a rotational speed of said rotating discs; and
said screen outputting a paper stream including primarily paper, and said screen outputting a container stream containing primarily containers; and
(b) a control system, including;
(b)(1) a first measuring unit for measuring an amount of containers in said paper stream;
(b)(2) a second measuring unit for measuring an amount of paper in said container stream; and
(b)(3) a control mechanism for automatically adjusting at least one of (a)(1) and (a)(2) in coordination with measurements made by the first and second measuring units. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification