Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

Abstract: An asphalt roofing material recycling system and method is used to recycle new and used asphalt materials, such as asphalt shingles, rolled roofing and tar paper that may include granules, fibers or other particles. The asphalt material is broken up and separated and then provided to a recycling vessel. When the recycling vessel is operated in a cooled mode, dry ice may be added along with the asphalt material to be recycled. The dry ice removes any moisture present and super-cools the material making it brittle and easier to chip and break up. The recycle vessel includes a number of devices as well as at least one horizontal mixer element which stirs the material and makes sure all material is ground. The resulting course to fine powder can be sorted by screening and stored as power or compressed into bricks or briquettes for later use in making various products.

Abstract: A method for separating a mixture of solid materials can includes a sorting step based on differences in X-Ray transmission of different materials and a density sorting step at an elevated density. The mixture of solid materials can be a plastic-rich mixture recovered from waste electrical and electronic equipment. The mixture of solid materials can include plastics that contain brominated flame retardants. In some cases, a XRT or DEXRT sorter is used to remove the majority of plastics that contain brominated flame retardants from the mixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and sorting a municipal solid waste stream are described herein. A system can include a processing sub-system configured to receive a municipal solid waste stream and to remove the non-processable waste, a processing apparatus configured and disposed to receive constituents of the municipal solid waste stream from the processing sub-system and reduce the size of the constituents of the waste stream to an average particle size of less than about ¾ inch, and separators configured to sort the waste stream into constituents based on density.

Abstract: Materials in battery and electrochemical cells are separated in a form suitable for recycling by employing froth flotation techniques. Bulk materials, such as casings, are removed from converted battery scrap and the resultant pulp is subjected to froth flotation. Froth flotation agents, including frothers, collectors and/or depressants, are used to manipulate the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the materials in the scrap. Hydrophobic materials are entrained in the air bubbles of the froth and float out of the froth flotation vessel while those that are hydrophilic remain in the vessel, thereby separating battery grid materials without resort to pyrometallurgical, energy intensive or other environmentally undesirable processes.

Abstract: The method and systems efficiently extract recyclable materials from a mixed solid waste stream. The methods and systems use sizing, density and dimensional separation to produce intermediate waste streams that are enriched in particular recyclable materials. The recyclable materials can then be efficiently sorted from the individual intermediate streams using mechanized sorting equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the treatment of technical textiles based on thermoplastic fibers and comprising a coating, such as, in particular, airbags, using the principle of centrifugal decanting to separate the fiber residues and the coating material. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of a thermoplastic composition, in particular for molding, obtained by use of the fiber residues as obtained and optionally of reinforcing fillers. The distinguishing feature of this invention is based on the preparation of the fabric devoid of coating, thus resulting in formulations with elevated mechanical performances.

Abstract: Solid waste that includes a mixture of wet organic material and dry organic material can be are separated using mechanical separation to produce a wet organic stream enriched in wet organics and a dry organic stream enriched in dry organics. The separated wet organic stream and dry organic stream are separately converted to renewable or recyclable products using different conversion techniques particularly suited for the separated wet and dry organic streams.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for conditioning low-metal scrap high in plastics, which contains at least partially scrap high in plastics from shredder processes, especially of scrap vehicles, the method includes: splitting up ferromagnetic components from the scrap that is high in plastics; separating a first raw sand fraction from the scrap high in plastics that has been reduced in metals; reducing in size the fraction high in plastics that remains after the isolation of the first raw sand fraction; separating a second raw sand fraction after reducing in size the remaining fraction high in plastics; and splitting up the remaining fraction, that is high in plastics, into a light fraction and a heavy fraction. The equipment has the appropriate device for carrying out the individual method steps.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics, which is obtained by conditioning low-metal scrap high in plastics, which originate at least in part from shredder processes of scrap vehicles, the method includes: isolating metal parts from the heavy fraction high in plastics; reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains after the isolation of the metal parts; splitting up of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics, that remains after the isolation of the metal parts, into fractions high in plastics having different grain sizes; conditioning the separated fractions high in plastics at least partially in separate processes. The equipment includes appropriate devices for carrying out the foregoing processes. A highly pure granulate fraction may be obtained, which may be fed to material utilization.

Abstract: A method of recovering a mineral product from carpet by preparing a feed of carpet pieces; thermally separating organic components from mineral components in the carpet by heating the carpet pieces to a particle bed temperature in the range of 600° C. to 1000° C., wherein the mineral component is oxidized to form a mineral oxide; slurrying the mineral oxide with water to produce 15 to 35% solids slurry within a period of approximately 30 minutes to 24 hours, whereby the mineral oxide forms a mineral hydroxide; stabilizing the pH of the slurry in the range between 6 and 10 by carbonation, resulting in a slurry containing mineral carbonates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing and sorting a municipal solid waste stream are described herein. A system can include a processing sub-system configured to receive a municipal solid waste stream and to remove the non-processable waste, a processing apparatus configured and disposed to receive constituents of the municipal solid waste stream from the processing sub-system and reduce the size of the constituents of the waste stream to an average particle size of less than about ¾ inch, and separators configured to sort the waste stream into constituents based on density.

Abstract: A system for separating a plastic waste from a paper waste comprising a first fan which draws air toward the first chamber, the second fan blows air up the third tunnel from the lower third tunnel end toward the upper tunnel end, the third fan draws air into the second cyclone, wherein to separate the plastic waste from the paper waste in the mixed-paper-and-plastic.

Abstract: A method and a device for removing backing adhesive, typically a mixture of CaCO3 3 and SBR, from a carpet. The method includes: (a) sorting the carpets into different categories according to the materials from which the fibers of the carpets are made; (b) removing the bottom layer from a sorted carpet; and (c) removing the backing adhesive by grinding it off the carpet with a grinder until all the adhesive is removed and the fibers of the carpet become loss, which is then collected for recycle. The device is specifically designed to perform the above method and includes a grinder, a feeding device and a pressing wheel device on a frame. The feeding device has an active roller and a passive roller positioned on a support base.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating a mixed waste into a wet organic fraction, a dry organic fraction, and an inorganic fraction are achieved by (i) comminuting the mixed solid waste, (ii) fractionating the comminuted stream by size to produce two or more particle-sized waste streams, and (iii) processing one or more of the particle-sized waste streams using density separation to produce an intermediate wastes stream, and (iv) recovering a homogenous product (e.g., a recyclable material or an organic fuel) from the intermediate waste stream.

Abstract: In a method and equipment for conditioning a heavy fraction high in plastics, which is obtained by conditioning low-metal scrap high in plastics, which originate at least in part from shredder processes of scrap vehicles, the method includes: isolating metal parts from the heavy fraction high in plastics; reducing the size of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics that remains after the isolation of the metal parts; splitting up of the metal-reduced heavy fraction high in plastics, that remains after the isolation of the metal parts, into fractions high in plastics having different grain sizes; conditioning the separated fractions high in plastics at least partially in separate processes. The equipment includes appropriate devices for carrying out the foregoing processes. A highly pure granulate fraction may be obtained, which may be fed to material utilization.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for separating a product comprising a super absorbent polymer, a fiber and a plastic to separate the product into components thereof, the method comprising adding water to the product, and pressing the product in order to separate the product into components comprising a plastics component and a super absorbent polymer and fiber component. Other methods of the present disclosure include a method for producing a reusable plastic, reusable paper fiber stream and a reusable super absorbent polymer from the treatment of a product comprising a super absorbent polymer, a fiber and a plastic. Still other embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for the treatment of wet super absorbent polymer, comprising salt assisted dehydration.

Abstract: Methods of reclaiming plastic from infectious medical waste and manufacturing medical devices from reclaimed plastic are described. Medical devices made from plastic reclaimed from infectious medical waste are also described.

Abstract: The method and systems efficiently extract recyclable materials from a mixed solid waste stream. The methods and systems use sizing, density and dimensional separation to produce intermediate waste streams that are enriched in particular recyclable materials. The recyclable materials can then be efficiently sorted from the individual intermediate streams using mechanized sorting equipment.

Abstract: The conversion of waste plastics material to hydrocarbon fuel products, particularly transportation fuels. The waste plastics material can be obtained from any suitable source, such as a municipal solid waste facility and from agricultural and horticultural activity. The plastics material feed, which can contain from about 10 to about 50 wt. % dirt, is reduced to an effective size, then dried, if needed, to a moisture level of 2 wt. % and less, then screened to removed dirt, then densified into nuggets of at least about 10 lb/ft3, then pyrolyzed.

Abstract: The method and systems efficiently extract recyclable materials from a mixed solid waste stream. The methods and systems use sizing, density and dimensional separation to produce intermediate waste streams that are enriched in particular recyclable materials. The recyclable materials can then be efficiently sorted from the individual intermediate streams using mechanized sorting equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a quantity of cullet having at least two colors of glass from an input stream of recyclable material and non-recyclable material. In an embodiment, the system includes a sortation station, a screening apparatus, an air classifier, and a crushing apparatus to provide as output substantially pure cullet having at least two colors.

Abstract: A process for industrial disposal for electro-waste. The process contains steps for separating material that are contained in such waste, for re-introducing material into a re-using process in order to save resources and to meet ecologic and economic interests.

Abstract: In a facility and a method for separating glass residues from PVB-film, comminuted material is passed through several process steps, where treating with beaters (12) in a chamber (2) is effected in one of the first steps. At the discharge end (18) of the chamber there is arranged a separation, as heavy particular material can be discharged through a perforated bottom section (19) in the chamber (2). Through an air inlet (22) at the side (15) of the chamber, air is drawn in induced by a ventilator-like impeller rotor (28) drawing air in through a central opening (26) spaced apart from the bottom section (19). Thereby, light film-like materials are carried away from the heavy particles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method for separating a material comprising a super absorbent polymer, a fiber and a plastic to separate the material into components thereof, one method comprising shredding the material, adding salt to the material, and agitating the material, wherein the material does not comprise a slurry.

Abstract: A method for the removal of wood pulp and other adhering substances from waste plastics in the recycling of all types of waste plastics, of mixed plastics (MKS) in particular, in which foils and pieces from thicker plastic parts of if necessary pre-sorted waste plastics are mechanically pre-shredded into flakes or particles up to a preset size, wherein oversizes are sorted out, the shredded product is charged into a disc refiner together with water, wherein the proportion of flakes and other particles is at least 10% of the total volume, substances adhering on the flakes are rubbed down by the co-operating discs of the refiner to a large extent, and are then present as separate substances, and the substances rubbed down are separated from the plastic particles by a suitable separation method.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used PET bottles having the step of shredding the bottles to form plastic flakes, sorting the plastic flakes according to at least one criterion into at least two partial quantities, and performing an individual processing treatment including a decontamination treatment. The device permits performing the method whereby it is possible to separate the plastic flakes produced from the threaded part of a PET bottle, these flakes being more difficult to purify, from the lighter plastic flakes from the wall of the bottle, which have a thin wall and are easier to purify, and treating them further in separate reprocessing steps.

Abstract: A sorting member with an optimized surface shape is adopted to pressurize a mixture heated on the sorting member to allow a melted resin mixed in the mixture to adhere to the sorting member to sort the resin from an unmelted resin. Thus, resin materials are sorted and recovered from unwanted home electric appliances and the like at a high purity.

Abstract: A method for recycling comprises a pulverization step (S1) of pulverizing thermoplastic resin molded articles, each having a different softening point in a resin substrate and having a metal part and a coupling film, a metal-material selection-removal step (S3) of selecting and removing a metal material from pulverized pieces, a pulverized resin-material selection step (S5) of selecting a target pulverized resin material for recycling by allowing the pulverized pieces from which the pulverized metal material has been removed to drop and by ejecting gas towards either one of the target pulverized resin material and a non-target pulverized resin material for changing a drop direction thereof, and a coating-film peeling step (S7) of peeling the coating film from the resin substrate by applying a shearing force to the target pulverized resin material under the softening point of the resin substrate of the target pulverized resin material for recycling.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally provide processes for recovering and/or using one or more constituent components of carpeting. More specifically, various embodiments provide processes for reclaiming a filler material from carpet as well as processes for using the recovered filler material in subsequent carpet manufacturing processes. The present filler recovery processes can provide recycled filler material, which can be extracted at various stages of processing, and in different purities, depending on the subsequent need or use for the recovered filler material. In some instances, the filler recovery processes described herein can be implemented as sub-processes for recycling other carpet components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the comminution of composite materials, e.g. of electronics scrap, and also for the separation of the materials present therein, using a plurality of comminution stages and separation stages, with use of at least one hammer mill or rotor-impact mill (6), where, prior to the comminution of the material in the hammer mill or rotor-impact mill (6), a separation of previously comminuted composite material is achieved, into plastics on the one hand and composite material and also metals on the other hand.

Abstract: In a facility and a method for separating glass residues from PVB-film, comminuted material is passed through several process steps, where treating with beaters (12) in a chamber (2) is effected in one of the first steps. At the discharge end (18) of the chamber there is arranged a separation, as heavy particular material can be discharged through a perforated bottom section (19) in the chamber (2). Through an air inlet (22) at the side (15) of the chamber, air is drawn in induced by a ventilator-like impeller rotor (28) drawing air in through a central opening (26) spaced apart from the bottom section (19). Thereby, light film-like materials are carried away from the heavy particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a fuel substance by separating materials in a recycling operation based on BTU component content is provided. A stream of materials including non-sorted, heterogeneous, recycled materials is shredded. The stream of materials is separated into heavy and light materials with a separator that discharges the light and heavy materials in respective light and heavy material streams. Ferrous and non-ferrous materials are magnetically separated from the heavy material stream. The non-ferrous materials are discharged to a screen for further separation. The light materials are processed through a rotary trommel and a non-ferrous metal separator to separate the light materials into fine, coarse, and non-ferrous metal materials, the coarse materials having a BTU component content of at least four thousand BTU's per ton. Low density materials are separated from the coarse materials with a low density separator, thereby increasing the BTU component content of the coarse materials.

Abstract: A process to transform solid waste into fuel by adding water and heat to provide no more than 350 BTUs/lb of the weight of the solid waste for no more than 85 minutes. Such a process transforms the solid waste into fuel in a process time of not greater than 85 minutes. The system uses a pressure vessel; a condenser tank to permit selective addition of water to and evacuation of steam from the vessel; a heater to increase the temperature of the vessel; a vacuum pump to selectively reduce pressure within the vessel and to help evacuate steam from the vessel to the condenser tank; and a water pump to selectively add water from the condenser tank to the interior volume of the vessel. A method for converting solid waste into fuel includes loading the solid waste into a rotating pressure vessel and transforming the solid waste into fuel by adding water; reducing pressure; adding heat; and then evacuating steam. The contents are evacuated from the pressure vessel. At least some of the contents are fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating contaminated plastic material from various types of contaminants, including paper, includes a grinder for reducing the size of the contaminated plastic material to a reduced size of pieces and an eductor for receiving the pieces of contaminated plastic material from the grinder. The eductor has a nozzle portion at one end for producing a turbulent flow of compressed air and an intermediate portion with a mixing chamber for receiving the turbulent flow of air and the reduced size of pieces whereby the pieces are pulled into the eductor by the compressed air flow and the contaminants are separated from the plastic.

Abstract: A transportable system for separating materials in a waste stream. An arrangement of separation and grinding devices is mounted on a transportable platform. The devices are configured and arranged to produce three or more product streams from a plastic-rich feed mixture. One of the product streams is a coarse heavy stream, one stream is a ground plastic-rich product stream, and one stream is a ground light material stream. The system can be transported to a waste-goods location, operated to separate waste-goods, and relocated a new location.

Abstract: Process for pre-concentration of recoverable polymer materials formed from residues from grinding consumer durable goods at the end of their lives such as automobiles, computer equipment and household appliances, consisting of treating the residue by steps in sequence consisting of screening, aeraulic separation, grinding and ultimate aeraulic separation, to eliminate the major part of contaminating materials from them, such as metals, glass, rubber, sand or others in order to obtain a fraction pre-concentrated in recoverable polymer materials by recycling. The pre-concentration process is a means of reaching preferably at least 85% by weight of recoverable polymer materials by recycling.

Abstract: A method for recycling polymeric materials, including a mechanical separation step (B), a first density separation step (C), an intensive cleaning step (E), and a second density separation step (G, V) is described. Additional separation steps, such as a third density separation step (M, W), and optionally a fourth density separation step (Ga, Gb). Further less essential steps such as wetting (A), grinding (D), air flow separation (K), drying (I), electrostatic sorting (Z) and optional sorting (Za) steps may also be carried out to achieve optimized and refined separation. Polymeric materials from refuse or crushed motor vehicles may thus be separated, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins may be recycled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering monomeric units of a nylon from carpet material. The carpet material includes fibres containing nylon bound to a backing containing one or more non-nylon components. The carpet material contains between 15 and 35 wt. % of the nylon. The process includes: a) mechanically separating the carpet material into an enriched carpet mixture containing between 35 and 55 wt. % of said nylon and into a depleted carpet mixture having a lower content of nylon than the carpet material; and b) exposing the enriched carpet mixture to conditions at which depolymerization of the nylon is effected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus of recycling a printed circuit board for separating and retrieving a metallic material, which includes a printed metallic material, and an insulating material, both composing the printed circuit board. Both the metallic material and the insulating material, which are separated and retrieved, are possible for recycling. In the method for recycling the printed circuit board, hot filtration equipment 4a and resin-metal separation equipment 51 are used in hot filtration process P400. The waste printed circuit board 1 is heated and force-filtered so that only the insulating material 1a pass through the filter. Then, the insulating material 1a and the metallic material 1b are separated and retrieved. It is preferred that the insulating body base 23 of the printed circuit board 100 as the waste printed circuit board is made of thermoplastic resin or a mixture of thermoplastic resin and inorganic loading material.

Abstract: A method for recycling polymeric materials, including a mechanical separation step (B), a first density separation step (C), an intensive cleaning step (E), and a second density separation step (G, V) is described. Additional separation steps, such as a third density separation step (M, W), and optionally a fourth density separation step (Ga, Gb). Further less essential steps such as wetting (A), grinding (D), air flow separation (K), drying (I), electrostatic sorting (Z) and optional sorting (Za) steps may also be carried out to achieve optimized and refined separation. Polymeric materials from refuse or crushed motor vehicles may thus be separated, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins may be recycled.

Abstract: A toner recycling method and a toner recycling system use two personal computers and a display. A personal computer carries out management of information of toner, which is collected at a toner collection site. Another personal computer generates recycling information, which includes information about toner requirement of a granule manufacturer. A display at the toner collection site displays recycling information. Collected toner is used for manufacturing flux by mixing with aluminum dross, aluminum ash, aluminum dregs etc.

Abstract: Waste that contains fibers and combustible material is slushed in a continuous-operation high-consistency pulper (10) to suspend in water the fibers contained in the waste. From the pulper (10) are discharged substantially continuously a fiber suspension (P1) through a screen plate; and non-defibrable material (R1) by means of a mechanical transfer device (22). The fiber suspension (P1) is sorted and cleaned for use as raw material in paper or board. The non-defibrable material (R1) and the rejects (R2-R4) separated from the fiber suspension (P1) in the sorting and cleaning stages are used as fuel in energy production and/or utilized as raw material.

Abstract: A method for recovering fuel substance and providing an alternative periodic cover material for landfills by separating materials in a salvage operation. A non-sorted material stream including metallic and non-metallic components, which preferably includes automobile scrap, is fed to a shredder. After shredding, the non-sorted material stream is separated. The non-sorted material stream is first separated into two streams, namely, a heavy material stream and a light material stream. The heavy material stream is conveyed to a magnetic separator where ferrous metals are separated from non-ferrous materials. The light material stream is passed under a cross belt magnetic separator where the light ferrous metals are separated. The remaining light material stream is further separated to remove non-ferrous metal material. The remaining non-metallic material can be used as a fuel substance or as a cover material for landfills.

Abstract: A method for processing municipal waste substantially reduces the volume of material to be disposed into a landfill by increasing the volume of materials of value collected from the municipal waste and by composting the remaining materials to create a salable product. The process includes the removal of materials of value by magnetic devices to extract ferrous materials, by an air classifier to extract light plastic materials, by an eddy current mechanism to extract aluminum materials, and by a plastic sort mechanism to extract large plastic materials. Composting can be accomplished with a composting vessel that is located in the process either before the materials of value are removed or afterward. A grinding of the materials before a final screening allows the commercial grade compost to be separated from the materials that are to be sent to the landfill for final disposal.

Abstract: The process applies to synthetic-grass floorings of the type comprising a sheet substrate with a plurality of filiform formations extending from the substrate to simulate natural-grass cover or turf, the substrate and the filiform formations being made of plastic material, as well as a particulate filling material or infill dispersed between the filiform formations so as to maintain the filiform formations in a substantially erect condition. The process comprises the operations of removing the synthetic-grass flooring from the laid condition and subjecting the sheet substrate and the filiform formations to shredding so as to produce a salvaged particulate material. This salvaged particulate material can then be used as component of the particulate filling material or infill in a synthetic-grass flooring that is to be newly laid.

Abstract: A granulator for reducing the size of plastic particles to facilitate the removal of contaminants therefrom. The granulator includes an upper chamber and a lower chamber defined by an exit screen. The upper chamber includes a rotary shear and an air handling system for creating a pressure drop across the screen to facilitate the transit of particulate material therethrough.

Abstract: A method of making plastic materials, such as plastic lumber, wherein recyclable plastics are sorted into at least two categories and the recyclable plastics in each category are then shredded and chipped, extruded, and mixed with selected colour concentrates to produce the plastic materials of a selected colour. This invention allows for the control of the selected colour to enable replication of such colour of the plastic materials, regardless of any variation in colour of the recycled plastics in each category.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reducing particle size by the use of a supercritical fluid, generally carbon dioxide. The material is swollen by the supercritical carbon dioxide at a high pressure. After the material has been allowed to swell under a high pressure, the pressure is rapidly dropped. When the external pressure is rapidly dropped, the material explodes as the supercritical gas absorbed into the material rapidly expands outward.

Abstract: Coarsely crushed toner particles comprising at least a binder resin and a colorant are effectively pulverized by a mechanical pulverizer including a generally cylindrical rotor rotating about an axis and a stator surrounding the rotor with a minute gap from the rotor. Each of the outer wall of the rotor and the inner wall of the stator is provided with a plurality of grooves which extend generally in parallel with the rotation axis of the rotor and are formed of a wave-shaped plurality of projections and intervening recesses. Each recess on at least one of the rotor and the stator is provided with a flat-shaped bottom between a forward corner and a rear corner adjacent a forward slope and a rear slope respectively, with respect to the rotation direction.