Title:
PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ALUMINUM AND SIMILAR COMPONENTS FROM CARDBOARD PACKAGES
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2010/054449
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention refers to an unpublished process for separating aluminum and other compounds from 'Tetra Pak'-type cardboard packages, also known as aluminized packages, with a view to separating aluminum or other compound for the recycling thereof by using the induction heating process.
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Inventors:
SANERIP, Wagner Jansiski (Rua Doutor Homem de Melo, 1109, -002 São Paulo - SP, 05007, BR)
Application Number:
BR2008/000395
Publication Date:
May 20, 2010
Filing Date:
December 17, 2008
Export Citation:
Assignee:
SANERIP, Wagner Jansiski (Rua Doutor Homem de Melo, 1109, -002 São Paulo - SP, 05007, BR)
International Classes:
B09B3/00; C22B4/02; C22C21/00; F27B1/09
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Claims:
| C L A I M S 1st) "PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ALUMINUM AND SIMILAR COMPONENTS FROM CARDBOARD PACKAGES" is characterized for consisting of a process for separating aluminum (1) and other compounds (2), such as paper (3) and gases (4) from "Tetra Pak"-type cardboard packages (5) for the recycling of materials (6) consisting in the heating of packages (7) in induction (9) furnaces (8), gradually increasing their power so that the aluminum temperature (10) increases until the beginning of the thermal decomposition of paper (3A), plastic (2A) and any other residues, such as gases (4A), which are optionally utilized to feed the furnace operation (7) so that the melted aluminum (1B) is put in ingots (11), not requiring preliminary preparation of packages (5); the process energy may be converted and used by the induction (9) furnace (7) itself or others, and the paraffin from plastic (12) may also be utilized. |
Description:
"PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ALUMINUM AND SIMILAR COMPONENTS FROM CARDBOARD PACKAGES" The present invention refers to an unpublished process for separating aluminum and other compounds from "Tetra Pak"-type cardboard packages, also known as aluminized packages, with a view to separating aluminum or other compound for the recycling thereof by using the induction heating process. The present invention is intended to allow the separation of aluminum and other compounds from cardboard packages, through a process of induction heating by furnaces. Cardboard packages have an internal aluminum layer that is electricity conductor. When receiving the magnetic field in the induction furnace, there is generation of "Eddy currents" in the aluminum, and these currents, due to the material resistance, cause heating by Joule effect. The aluminum starts heating and transmitting heat to all other package materials: paper, plastic and residues. The separation occurs because the aluminum melting temperature is much higher than the temperature for thermal decomposition of paper, plastic and other components, such as food and dirt remains contained in the packages. When the aluminum reaches the decomposition temperature of paper and plastic, these will carbonize releasing gases that can be used for advantage. After thermal decomposition, there will be aluminum and ashes in the furnace, without adherence between them. The aluminum may then be melted and molded in ingots for recycling. These gases can be used to generate energy for the process. This utilization can produce electric power consumed by the induction furnace, thereby minimizing the use of external energy source and, thus, reducing costs. In addition, the paraffin contained in the gas and originating from the plastic can be utilized. The packages may be placed in bales in the induction furnace. It is not necessary to wash or dry the packages. Wetness will be eliminated during thermal decomposition. The process steps are: Place the packages in the induction furnace; turn on the furnace and gradually increase the power so that the aluminum temperature increases until the beginning of the thermal decomposition of paper, plastic and any other residue, such as food or dirt remains. This step can be followed-up through the outflow of gases from the furnace. After the end of the thermal decomposition, increase the furnace power gradually, so that the aluminum temperature increases gradually until it thermally decomposes all other possible package materials, such as remains of food and dirt. In this phase, the aluminum is already separated from the plastic and paper and can be melted to form ingots. The aluminum does not oxidize when heated because the process does not have fire or ignition flame. In addition, the aluminum does not reach the combustion temperature. The furnace does not have a specific shape, and even a continuous process furnace may be used. The process does not incinerate, that means, the induction furnace is not an incinerator because incineration is a controlled combustion process; however, in this process there is no combustion. The process does not use microwaves, which is usually confounded with magnetic induction heating. The heat is not generated by the induction furnace walls, but in the aluminum, which, when heated, thermally decomposes the other materials. It does not need preliminary preparation of packages, such as washing, drying or removal of plastic spouts and dispensers, because these will be thermally decomposed in the process. That saves machinery and washing water, and also labor for preparing the material. By eliminating preparation machinery, it takes little physical room. Since gases from decomposition of materials can be used for advantage, the process energy can be converted and used by the induction furnace itself or others. And also the paraffin from plastic can be used. Since it is now possible to separate the aluminum, the package starts having more value for the recycling chain, thereby valuing the selective collection and minimizing the disposal at landfills and land waste sites. This is a major environmental advantage. The process operator does not need to have broad knowledge on the technique involved. Training on the furnace running and safety at work will suffice. The process may work at small, middle and large scale, according to the induction furnace employed. Notwithstanding that the induction heating technique is known for many years, the induction furnace is not so common and has a high cost in relation to more commonly used furnaces. "Tetra Pak" uses a recycling technique that separates plastic and aluminum from the package in a process called "Plasma". This process was totally developed in Brazil after six years of studies and tests, in a partnership of "Tetra Pak" with the Institute for Technological Research - "IPT". However, this process is not very advantageous. The advantages of the process at issue, of separation in relation to "plasma" are as follows: Much lower energy consumption; it does not need paper separation before separating the aluminum; it does not need washing of packages; the induction heating allows a large-scale continuous process; it is not necessary to apply nitrogen or other gas, thus simplifying the process. Another process that exists is the burning of plastic with aluminum, which results in paraffin and aluminum oxide. From this oxide, the aluminum for new packages is recovered. But this recovery process consumes a lot of energy, making it unviable. Thus, a process was developed for separating aluminum and similar components from cardboard packages, with practicality, economy in its development, combining low cost and improving the environment, allowing the recycling of materials that take many years for their natural decomposition. According to the foregoing, the "PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ALUMINUM AND SIMILAR COMPONENTS FROM CARDBOARD PACKAGES" hereby in question is characterized for consisting of a process for separating aluminum (1) and other compounds (2), such as paper (3) and gases (4) from "Tetra Pak"-type cardboard packages (5) for the recycling of materials (6) consisting in the heating of packages (7) in induction (9) furnaces (8), gradually increasing their power so that the aluminum temperature (10) increases until the beginning of the thermal decomposition of paper (3A), plastic (2A) and any other residues, such as gases (4A), which are optionally utilized to feed the furnace operation (7) so that the melted aluminum (1B) is put in ingots (11), not requiring preliminary preparation of packages (5); the process energy may be converted and used by the induction (9) furnace (7) itself or others, and the paraffin from plastic (12) may also be utilized. For the advantages and for possessing truly innovative features, the "PROCESS FOR SEPARATING ALUMINUM AND SIMILAR COMPONENTS FROM CARDBOARD PACKAGES" gathers the conditions necessary for earning the Patent of Invention.