Abstract: A refuse material recovery system is shown and described including a blend of automatic material processing by size and density and manual separation or sorting procedures. Overall, the system optimizes recovery from refuse including municipal solid waste, commercial waste, commingled recyclables waste, and demolition waste. The system performs a primary size classification followed by ferrous separation steps, manual separation steps, and subsequent size classification steps. The process also provides separation by density, and eddy current method as well as air knife techniques. The system is further adapted to provide optional diversion capability to accommodate different end uses for recovered materials as a function of current market conditions. The system exhibits the desirable characteristics of efficiency, large capacity throughput, and cost effectiveness.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor is shown and described for moving composite material through the output gate of a bin and then past a sorting station to remove unwanted elements of the composite material. At the interior side of the output gate rests a powered leveling roll rotatable about an axis transverse to the material flow for maintaining a selected volume of composite material exiting the bin. An upward and forward facing portion of the powered leveling roll is shielded against contact with the composite material in the bin. A downward and rearward facing portion of the powered leveling roll, including the portion opposing the conveyor, moves opposite the direction of material flow. The powered leveling roll includes formations for engaging the composite material and repelling excess material.

Abstract: A disc screen having rows of rotatable discs separated by sleeve-like spacers. Discs of adjacent rows are offset and extended to a near touching relationship with the spacers of adjacent disc rows. A supporting and rotatably driven shaft extended through each row of disc and spacers. The spacers are independently mounted to the shaft with internal strengthening gussets having keyway-type openings slidably fitted to the shaft's non-circular cross section. End discs on each shaft are mounted for close proximity to the side rails of the disc screen housing and, as aligned along the side rails, are reduced in diameter to prevent interference. The proximity of the end discs to the side rails prevent materials from being jammed against the side rails.

Abstract: A debris separation system including a rock grizzly having relieved rails for inhibiting rock hang up, a vibrating grizzly having rods of alternating height for aligning limbs with the rod openings, a fines separating screen, and a rotary air separator for separating small rock and wood chips. The system is considered unique in its ability to distinguish rock and wood (log debris) by their physical characteristics. The vibrating grizzly rejects large rock while accepting long narrow limbs, and the rotary air separator separates rock and wood of the same general size and shape by reason of mass differential i.e. the more dense rock is less effected by air suction then the less dense wood.

Abstract: A rotary air separator having a manifold with a side opening and an end opening. A cylindrical screen rotates around the manifold over the side opening and the end opening is connected to a vacuum source. Vanes in the manifold segregate the side opening into discrete areas. The vanes define independent throats for directing air in a curved transitional path from the side opening areas to the end opening. A collar surrounding the side opening defines a curved inlet to the side opening and provides an effective air barrier to inhibit air flow from around the manifold.

Abstract: A multi-stage apparatus and process for separating wood chips of a desired size range for pulp production, from an intermixture of materials e.g. from a log chipper. A disc screen screens out the chips and other materials having a size larger than the designated size range. The chips are deposited on an air separating screen through which a vacuum is drawn to draw out the smaller size materials, e.g. sawdust, and to deposit the desired pulp chips for collection and conveyence to the paper processing station.