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.
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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.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. 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) 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)
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Specification