Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing used vehicle tires that separates the steel metal from the rubber and other non-metallic materials for recycling. The tire is rotated at sufficient speed to force the materials outwardly by centrifugal force. Heated blades move centripetally to melt and cut through the non-metallic materials, dividing the tire into at least two arcs that are held together by the steel reinforcement that is not easily cut through. Electric heating apparatus heats the steel more than the rubber so that the forces binding the rubber are released, enabling the rubber and other non-metallic materials to be flung outwardly away from the steel. The steel is then collected separately. The differential heating apparatus may be inductive or resistive.

Abstract: A trihydrocarbyl aluminum is produced at a high yield by reacting an aluminum-magnesium alloy powder with a halogenated hydrocarbon. Prior to the reaction, the alloy powder is obtained by grinding treatment using a ball mill or a vibration ball mill. The reaction is conducted with agitation in the presence of abrasive particles or is conducted using a homogenizer without abrasive particles.

Abstract: A method for treating waste printed circuit boards, the method has the steps of:

Abstract: An adhesive for dentures comprising a paste-like carrier substance to which hydrocolloids are admixed. In order to obtain an adhesive which is entirely benign from a health viewpoint, the carrier substance consists of honey mixed with alcohol.

Abstract: New glass fibers having an average length of about 100 to 400 &mgr;m and an apparent density of about 1 to 0.2 g/cm3 are produced by spinning glass fibers, comprising spinning glass fibers into bundles, cooling with liquid to form wet bundles, directly cutting such bundles in the wet state, without previous drying, grinding said bundles to milled glass fibers in a high-efficiency mixer with the addition of a liquid, and then drying. The fibers are especially suited for filling polyurethanes by the PUR-RIM process.

Abstract: An asphalt based material recycling system and method is used to recycle asphalt materials, such as asphalt shingles and tar paper that include granules, fibers or other particles. The asphalt material is simultaneously heated and milled in a heated milling apparatus, such as a heated ball mill, to reduce the asphalt material including granules to a fine mesh in suspension in liquid asphalt. Excess moisture is removed from the asphalt material being recycled by continuously venting the heated milling apparatus. The heated milling apparatus preferably includes a rotatable milling vessel rotated at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane and having an opening that provides continuous venting. The shape of the milling vessel allows the liquid level inside the milling vessel to have a liquid head above the outlet region of the milling vessel, for facilitating milling.

Abstract: A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a fine powder from a grain or legume, such as soy beans, wherein the soy beans or the like are ground under controlled temperature and humidity conditions in a mill to a particle size of between about 5 to 25 microns, preferably about 15 microns.

Abstract: Carpet scrap containing mixtures of polyesters and/or polyamides and polyolefins are compatiblized with ultralow density polyethylene (ULDPE) to make homogeneous thermoplastic blends having useful properties.

Abstract: A composition for powder coating, which comprises a melt blend of 100 weight parts of PET resin pellets or small pieces obtained from recovered PET resin molded products with (i) 5-40 weight parts of a polyester resin (excluding PET) or a modified polyester resin, (ii) 3-30 weight parts of modified polyolefin resin or ethylene acrylic acid copolymer resin, or (iii) 3-30 weight parts of polycarbonate resin, the powder material exhibiting an improved ability to adhere to metal surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rubber composition containing a reclaimed rubber and a method for producing the same. A rubber molded article having excellent rubber properties can be obtained and the recycling of a used rubber product can be promoted by the present invention. A rubber composition of the present invention is a blend comprising a claimed rubber obtained by applying a heat and a shear stress to a vulcanized rubber, a non-vulcanized virgin rubber or/and a thermoplastic resin, wherein the reclaimed rubber contains 40% by weight or more of a residual toluene-insoluble gel component and the network chain density of the rubber in the gel component is 1/20 to 1/4 based on the network chain density of the rubber of the vulcanized rubber.

Abstract: A method and device for defibrating fiber-containing material in a device operating with the pin mill principle. The device includes a housing and in it a first rotor equipped with collision surfaces; a second rotor concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces, the second rotor being arranged to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotor; or a stator concentric with the first rotor and equipped with collision surfaces. Further, the device includes a feed orifice in the housing and opening to the center of the rotors or the rotor and stator, and a discharge orifice on the housing wall and opening to the periphery of the outermost rotor or stator. The fiber-containing material is led from the feed orifice to the housing and made to flow together with air or liquid generating a suspension through the collision surfaces of the nested rotors, or the nested rotor and stator to the discharge orifice and further as a discharge flow out of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and processes of the present invention for recycling glass fiber waste into glass fiber product include a supply of scrap glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 5 millimeters; a crusher having at least one pair of rotatable rollers which rotate at essentially the same speed, the rollers having intermeshing protuberances for crushing scrap glass fibers passing therebetween; and an air separating device for separating a first portion of crushed glass fibers having a mean average length of less than about 3 millimeters from a second portion of oversize glass fibers.

Abstract: When compacting particulate material, such as granular or powdery material, the same is fed to a first section which determines the compaction degree. In a second section, the weight/volume ratio is further increased so that it determines further the ultimate compaction degree. Optionally the compaction degree is controlled a third time within a third section which is normally the final section. In order to influence and to control the compaction degree at least in the first and second sections, energy can be absorbed by means of separate drives within these sections.

Abstract: There is provided a ball mill having a milling chamber into which metal powder is fed. The ball mill is also provided with milling means for milling metal powder into fine metal powder having a particle size less than a predetermined size. When the ball mill operates, a quantity of heat (Q0) is generated in the milling chamber. The milling chamber is cooled by liquid cooling means and gas cooling means according to the present invention. The liquid cooling means causes cooling liquid to flow along the outside wall of the milling chamber to remove a quantity of heat (Q1) during the ball mill operation. The gas cooling means causes cooling gas to flow through the milling chamber to remove a quantity of heat (Q2) during the ball mill operation. The generated quantity of heat (Q0) can be counterbalanced with the sum of the removed quantities of heat (Q1) and (Q2) so as to prevent the inside of the milling chamber from overheating, so that the ball mill can operate in the condition of Q0/V≧0.

Abstract: In a method for granulating and comminuting liquid slags, especially metal-oxide-containing slags, coal, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or coal/water mixtures or coal slurries are driven into the slag or the slag jet. The liquid slag is transferred into an expansion and granulation chamber and subsequently into a mill, especially a jet or impact mill. In the device for carrying out the method provided with a slag tundish and a lance arranged coaxially to the axis of the tundish tube the tundish tube is designed as a hole-type nozzle. Devices for applying carbon carriers and/or water nozzles are arranged radially outside of the mouth of the tundish tube.

Abstract: Molten ladle metallurgy furnace (LMF) slag is chilled on a chill plate comprising a number of steel slabs disposed side by side. The slag is poured onto the chill plate and allowed to solidify without the application of any water. Solid slag is removed from the chill plate by mechanical means and is eventually reused to make synthetic slag after further cooling, crushing and screening.

Abstract: A garbage processor has a vessel for receiving garbage, a rotary pulverizer/stirrer for crushing and stirring the garbage in the vessel and a first heater for drying the garbage in the vessel. A steam is generated upon heating and drying of the garbage. An air blower feeds a high pressure an ambient air into the vessel to force the steam out of the vessel. A steam separator is provided for separating the steam into a water and a gas. A second heater is provided downstream of the steam separator for oxidizing the gas emanating from the steam separator to reduce a smell of the gas. The gas is deodorized before it is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of making polymeric particulates wherein polymeric scrap material, virgin polymeric material and mixtures thereof are supplied to intermeshing extruder screws which are rotated to transport the polymeric material along their length and subject the polymeric material to solid state shear pulverization and in-situ polymer compatibilization, if two or more incompatible polymers are present. Uniform pulverized particulates are produced without addition of a compatibilizing agent. The pulverized particulates are directly melt processable (as powder feedstock) and surprisingly yield a substantially homogeneous light color product.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that the crosslinks in thermoset plastics can be broken by heating to a temperature of at least about 150.degree. C. under a pressure of at least about 3.4.times.10.sup.6 Pascals in the presence of 2-butanol. By utilizing the process of this invention, precious metals can be easily and economically recovered from electronic circuit boards. In this process, the crosslinks in the thermoset plastics in the circuit board break under conditions of heat and pressure in the presence of 2-butanol. After the crosslinks in the thermoset plastic break, the plastic material dissolves in the 2-butanol and can be removed by decanting. The remaining undissolved fiberglass mat and precious metal is removed by filtration, decanting or centrifugation. The precious metals which were entrapped in the thermoset plastic can be recovered from fiberglass on the circuit board by being melted.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the separation and recovery of fractional components of used carpet. Although the disclosed process is operable with either jute-backed or vinyl-backed carpet, an alternative process is preferred for vinyl-backed carpet to permit the sequential removal of the vinyl backing with most of the fiberglass stabilizer intact. The process includes the chilling of appropriately sized carpet pieces and preferably pre-soaking the used carpet pieces before chilling, followed by the introduction of the pre-conditioned used carpet pieces into a cyclonic comminuter which reduces the carpet pieces into fractional components. The chilling step could lower the temperature of the soaked carpet pieces to or below freezing to stiffen the backing material and enhance the comminution process.

Abstract: A process for feeding solid industrial and special waste to combustion installations. The waste materials are separated from the combustion chamber by a lock system, are comminuted and homogenized in an inert-gas atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the recycling of plastic-coated cable residues, which comprise a metal core and a plastic jacket, wherein the metal parts are separated from the jacket and are separately recovered. The cable residues are communited and the chopped material is softened in a swelling container (10) with a swelling agent for the plastic. Subsequent to softening, the mass flow is fed with the swelling agent to a roller cone mill (13). The roller cone mill (13) flexes the chopped material and destroys the macrostructure of the cable pieces mechanically. The metal particles are separated from the jackets by way of stirring in a stirrer (14), and the multi-phase mixture is transported to a metal sedimentor (16). The heavier metal particles sink down in the metal sedimentor (16) based on gravity and separate themselves from the lighter plastic particles.

Abstract: A cyclonic processing system accepts unprocessed fragmentary material of a predetermined aerodynamic buoyancy range, keeps it suspended in a vortex and discharges it when it reaches a finished material aerodynamic buoyancy range. The cyclonic processing apparatus and method dries, mills, separates and/or mixes fragmentary material. The waste air from the apparatus is reduced in particle content. The apparatus and method may be used to process post consumer waste for recycling. Additionally, it may be used to harness waste heat from industrial processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, and method for making same, comprising large particle size, calcined kaolin clays that, when used in paint formulations, provide paints having low sheen and good weathering resistance. Compositions of the invention include a composition comprising the pigment produced by a process comprising calcining a feed comprising kaolin having a median equivalent spherical diameter (e.s.d.) as measured on a Sedigraph 5100 of greater than about 2.0 microns and having .ltoreq. about 15% less than 0.5 micron.

Abstract: A method for treating waste printing circuit boards with molten mixture of inorganic salts comprising actions of: (1) putting the circuit boards into the molten inorganic salts contained in a treating furnace; (2) crushing and stirring for copper foil of the circuit boards to be separated therefrom; (3) further stirring to separate the foil from the plastic and the glass fiber of the circuit boards; (4) scraping the floating residues of the plastic and the glass fiber on upper surface of the molten inorganic salts with a floating residues scraping device; (5) collecting the carbonized plastic residues and the glass fiber; (6) converting waste gas produced in the process into an unharmful and stable one; and (7) removing the copper foil by a certain amount regularly with a removing device.

Abstract: A pulverizing pass having at one side an adjustable crushing plate which forces the material entering to pass between the plate and variable speed replaceable rotating hammers which are substantially open causing the material to be pulverized. The chamber is lined with plates which can be repeatedly replaced. In addition, heat is applied to the material throughout the process by two open flame furnaces whereby the material exits dry. Further a means for removing contaminants from the glass is accomplished by three blower devices which suck the contaminants into three collection bags whereby the finished product exits 99.9 plus % clean.

Abstract: A dry and crush treating apparatus using a jet burner, includes: a jet burner drying an oil-containing or/and water-containing raw material; a dry treating tank; and a recovering unit recovering a dried fine particles made of the raw material. In the construction, the recovering unit is installed within the dry treating tank.

Abstract: The method for shredding wornout tire cases comprises exposing wornout tire cases to the effect of an explosion exerted thereon in a closed circular system so as to establish a directional circulating flow of explosion products. The device for carrying the method into effect comprises a chamber (1, 2) and a piping (3, 4) which forms, together with the chamber, a circular closed system, the chamber has a portion shaped as a cone-frustum shell (1), wherein shredding members (7) and a fixing unit of the explosive (13) are accommodated; a the smaller-diameter portion of the cone-shaped shell (1) communicates with one end of the piping (4) through a valve appearing as, e.g., a grid established by plates (7) in the area of the smaller base of the shell (1), while the other end of the piping (3) communicates with the chamber (1, 2) from the side of the larger-diameter portion of the cone-shaped shell (1).

Abstract: A system and method for treating a waxed fiber paper product with a high wax content to remove a substantial portion of the wax content includes the pulping of the wax paper fiber at an elevated temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the wax to separate a pulp fraction and to form an emulsion of water and molten wax. The pulp fraction is separated from the emulsion by filtering in a reverse pressure screen in which a finely perforated screen defines a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a major portion of the water/emulsion is removed from the suspension through the screen perforations leading from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, in which a rotor and foil arrangement within the reverse screen is operated under such conditions that the suspension at the high pressure side of the screen is maintained in a constant fluidized condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a waste treatment process and device thereof which can reduce the size and weight of organic waste by decomposing the waste to powder form and bacteria free substance that may be used as a kind of fertilizer for plants. The waste is first frozen by liquefied nitrogen in a cooling chamber to a temperature less than -200.degree. F., wherein during this freezing procedure, the gas generated from the waste must be removed from the cooling chamber. Then, the frozen nitrogen is immediately transferred to a heated chamber having a temperature of at least 160.degree. F. but not exceed 200.degree. F. During this heating procedure, the water content of the waste is sucked out of the heated chamber, so that the waste is decomposed to form the bacteria free powder.

Abstract: A method for reclaiming rubber comprising the steps of (a) producing scrap from used rubber materials; (b) milling said scrap to produce rubber crumbs characterised in that the crumbs of said milling step (b) are continuously fed to the milling machine at compression force preferably 100 metric tonnes and the temperature of the crumb feed being milled is maintained at a suitable temperature so as to obtain the reclaimed rubber. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides for a cooling system to keep the temperature of the milling process below 100.degree. C., the pressure being exerted by the mill rolls at close to zero nip with roll speeds at a 1:1.6 ratio, and the surfaces of the rolls are smoothen. Most preferably, the compression force is equivalent to 200 metric tonnes in weight and the crumb feed is continuously milled for about 30 revolutions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reclaiming sand from a foundry sand containing, inter alia, a clay binder by cooling the foundry sand to a temperature at or below -40.degree. C. (-40.degree. F.) followed by separation of the sand from the binder while the sand is maintained at a temperature at or below 0.degree. C. (32.degree. F.). Foundry sands with clay binders have a water content to 1% to 15% by weight prior to being cooled.

Abstract: A garbage processor has a vessel for receiving garbage, a rotary pulverizer/stirrer for crushing and stirring the garbage in the vessel and a first heater for drying the garbage in the vessel. Steam is generated upon heating and drying of the garbage. An air blower feeds high pressure ambient air into the vessel to force the steam out of the vessel. A steam separator is provided for separating the steam into water and a gas. A second heater is provided downstream of the steam separator for oxidizing the gas emanating from the steam separator to reduce the smell of the gas. The gas is deodorized before it is discharged to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and a device for treating waste printed circuit boards with molten tin include process of throwing printed circuit boards into a molten tin bath in treating furnace, letting the boards proceed crashing, stirring and carbonizing treatment for separating copper foil, thermosetting plastic and glass fiber. Then these three kinds of materials are respectively separated from each other by taking advantage of their different specific gravity and collected in separate tanks to recover copper and other metals from the waste printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A method of processing waste is disclosed wherein the municipal solid waste is segregated and processed to recover reusable rubber, metal, plastic, glass and the remaining organic portion of the waste stream is used to make ethanol and other chemicals. One process utilizes a pretreatment step with dilute sulfuric acid to reduce the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of the municipal solid waste which can inhibit the fermentation of the sugars obtained from such waste. In another, the heavy metal content of the cellulosic component of municipal solid waste is removed via an ionic exchange process, after hydrolysis with sulfuric acid. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste is also disclosed.

Abstract: Batch mixing takes place in the gap (3) between grooved faces of counter-rotating discs (1,2) such that the spiral grooves (8) and lands (10) of each face traverse the grooves (8) and lands (10) of the other, to shear and split material drawn inwardly along the grooves (8) for distributive mixing. Modifications include plural-turn spiral, straight, and truncated spiral grooving (FIGS. 5 to 10), and batch mixing in which only one disc (28) rotates (FIG. 11). Continuous mixing involving shear is carried out within a cylindrical barrel (40 FIG. 12;57 FIG. 13) between its internal helical-grooving (43;590 and the helical grooving (44;60), of opposite hand, of a rotor (41;58). The shearing can produce mechanochemical reactions that break down the molecular structure of the material, notably in the context of mastication and solubilising of used rubber in reclaim from vehicle-tyres.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for drying and grinding moist raw cement or other material wherein the moist material is introduced to a grinding zone at which it is ground to produce relatively fine and relatively coarse particles which are separated and delivered to separate outlets. Hot drying gas is delivered to the path of fresh material flowing to the grinding zone to pre-dry such material, and the ground particles flowing to the respective discharge outlets are further dried by hot gas. The further dried relatively coarse particles are delivered the fresh material inlet and mixed with fresh material therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a pollutant harmless by treating a material to be treated containing the pollutant. The method comprises the steps of: heating the material in a pressure resistant vessel hermetically to obtain a heated material; supplying the heated material from the vessel to a nozzle; and jetting out the material from the nozzle to collide against a collecting member arranged opposite to the nozzle.

Abstract: Containerized medical waste is treated by shredding, and then passing the shredded material, by means of a screw conveyor, through a direct steam impingement stage and a dehydration stage in which the material is brought into contact with a hot surface to vaporize moisture and thereafter passed through a low pressure chamber in which the vapor is drawn off.

Abstract: In a process for treating composite elements of solid organic and/or inorganic composite materials-such as composites of metal/metal, plastic/plastic, metal/plastic or mineral composites with metals and/or plastic materials-solid particles are produced from the composite elements and they are added to a transport fluid, wherein at least one flow obstacle which crosses the flow of the mixture of solid particles and transport fluid is moved relative to said flow as a flow-breakaway edge for forming eddies which acceleratingly break up the mixture. The mixture is fed to the separation or break-up procedure at the flow-breakaway edge or edges with an acceleration of 20 to 25 m/sec.sup.2 and the composite element is preferably crushed prior to the separation or break-up procedure.

Abstract: Process for separating the constituents of a multilayer material including at least one layer of a base plastic (A) and a layer of a plastic (B) which are separated by a layer of adhesive plastic (C), in which: (1) the material is heated to a temperature T1 between the crystallization temperature of the plastic B (Tc) and Tc--20.degree. C., (2) the material is next shredded by being subjected to shearing, at approximately the same temperature, so as to produce delamination and thus to convert the material into particles of small dimensions of two types, some (X) consisting essentially of base plastic (A) and others (Y) consisting essentially of plastic B and of adhesive plastic (C), and (3) the particles X and Y are subsequently separated by electrostatic separation.

Abstract: An improved method for treating crumb rubber particles for use in asphalt compositions is characterized by activating the particles to enhance the rheological properties thereof. A slurry of crumb rubber particles is formed by adding water thereto. The slurry is heated to a temperature of 85-90.degree. C. to release excess oils and chemicals from the particles into the slurry. The slurry is dried to produce a fine mesh rubber product with enhanced rheological properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of pseudolatices or micro- and/or nanoparticles, in which a polymer is crystalline, partially crystalline or amorphous, is selected from cellulose derivatives, poly(meth)acrylates, shellac, polylactides, polylactide/polyglycolide mixtures, polyhydroxy butyric acids or polycyanoacrylates and is heated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature and then high-pressure homogenized in water or an aqueous buffer solution and this suspension is converted, if necessary, into micro- and/or nanoparticles by drying. Medicaments can be worked into the pseudolatices, micro- and/or nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reprocessing mixed plastics, more particularly mixed plastics from household refuse. The material being reprocessed is shredded in a shredding stage, agglomerated in an agglomerator wherein volatile substances are sucked off by suction devices, and the agglomerated material is dried over a drying path. In order to reduce obstructive substances, such as paper and ash, the fine grain portion in particular of the plastics agglomerated is screened off. With the drying process it is possible to produce without wet processing steps which are high in energy consumption a plastics agglomerate of high quality which is suitable for industrial re-use.

Abstract: Contaminants are removed from RPET flakes by a process which includes the steps of comminuting the RPET flakes to produce RPET particles and driving the contaminants out from the RPET particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for grinding and sifting a product, in which the product is embrittled by a coolant and is comminuted in a mill (8), the comminuted product being fed, after comminution while keeping away ambient air and the moisture this involves, to a sifter (14). With the process and the apparatus according to the invention, the product can be comminuted and sifted in a closed-loop process without separating agents having to be fed to the ground product prior to sifting to overcome electrostatic charging. The sifter (14) is preferably operated with the gaseous coolant which is used to operate the mill (8) so that any losses of sifter circuit gas occurring during sifting can be compensated by feeding in a gaseous coolant. The total duration of the process can be reduced considerably.

Abstract: A mobile system for processing raw ears of corn includes a first mobile processing trailer for receiving raw unhusked ears of corn, holding the ears and disbursing the ears to a first conveyor. The first conveyor transports the ears to a second mobile trailer for further processing. The second mobile trailer includes a husker for removing corn husks and corn silk from the ears, a cutting mechanism for removing kernels from the ears after the husks and silk are removed, and a second conveyor for transporting the corn husks, corn silk, and corn cobs from the second trailer. A third conveyor transports the kernels to a third mobile trailer for further processing. The third mobile trailer includes a cooling tank for chilling the kernels and a conveyor for transporting the kernels to transportation receptacles for transportation to a cannery for further processing.

Abstract: A syringe encapsulation device having a melt chamber heated by forced hot air to sufficient temperature to melt the plastic bodies of the syringes, where the melt chamber is coaxially mounted onto a rotating shaft and rotated when the plastic is in the molten state such that the molten plastic is centrifugally driven to the outer periphery of the melt chamber to safely encapsulate the needles once the molten plastic has hardened.

Abstract: A device for the sterilization and encapsulation of bio-hazardous materials, especially including needles and syringes, which provides a sealable container to receive the materials and a rotating carousel to successively position the container for processing, a heat device to raise the temperature within the container to sterilize the contents and melt any plastic material, a compactor to crush the container into a smaller volume, and an ejector to remove the compacted container from the carousel.