FR2951660A1 - Aggregate processing device, has resonance vibrating sieve with sieving surfaces, where sieve is equipped with inlet for battered aggregate, outlet for sieved metallic component, and another outlet for sieved non-residual aggregate - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has an aggregate tapping column (3) that is equipped with an upper part of an aggregate inlet (f1), where the tapping column has a central vertical shaft (33). A pair of chains (C5-C6) is mounted on the central vertical shaft, where the chains are diametrically opposite to each other. A resonance vibrating sieve (5) has sieving surfaces (51-55), where the sieve is equipped with an inlet (f3) for battered aggregate, an outlet (f4) for sieved metallic component, and another outlet (f5) for sieved non-residual aggregate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a granulate processing device comprising polymer components bonded to metal components and textile components. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is particularly concerned with the recycling of polymers, for example polymers derived from vehicle tires. The polymers of the recycled products, once crushed, are generally in the form of granules, which can then be valorized, for example by dyeing and agglomerating the granules to make coatings for sports facilities or playgrounds, which are both flexible and aesthetic. However, this granulate can not generally be reused as such or as a secondary raw material because it contains other components than the polymer, which must be eliminated prior to any re-use. If we continue the example of the recycling of tires mentioned above, the elastomer granulate from the grinding of the tires thus contains residues of textile fibers, fibers used to strengthen the tires, and metal residues, from the rods and / or the carcass of the tires, especially steel in the form of particles or fibers (a certain fraction of these residues may also be in the form of fines, in other words in the form of flying dust). As the proportion of metal, especially steel, in this type of aggregate is significant, it is extremely interesting not only to rid the polymer of its metal residues to value, but also to value the metal recovered, if as long as it can have sufficient purity.

However, until now, no solution has been entirely satisfactory to sufficiently separate the various components of the aggregate without deteriorating, in particular, the quality of the polymer. Indeed, the aggregates are complex mixtures of polymer, metal and other elements of the textile fiber type, partly at least very closely related, and it is very difficult to separate without damaging them or using means that it would be difficult to use on an industrial scale.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to propose a device for treating such aggregates in order to better separate the polymer components from the other components, and more particularly to better insulate the metal components of the granulate, in order to be able to value them also, and this in an industrial way. GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned problem is solved according to the invention by means of a device for treating a granulate comprising polymer components bonded to metal components and textile components including fines, the device comprising: a granulation threshing column, which is provided at the top with an inlet of the aggregate and a fines outlet by suction and at the bottom of an outlet for the beaten aggregate, said column comprising a vertical central shaft adapted to be rotated and on which are mounted at least one pair of chains diametrically opposed to each other by one of their ends, their other ends (free) may, where appropriate, be weighed down by weights, and the inner wall is equipped with jets protruding from the rest of the wall, and - a resonance vibrating sieve comprising at least one sieving surface and provided with an inlet e for the beaten aggregate, a first output for the sieved metal components and a second output for the unbaked residual granulate (sieve rejection). Preferably, the inner wall of the threshing column is at least partially, in particular completely, covered with interchangeable anti-wear plates (also known as shielding plates). By successively treating the granulate by a threshing column and then by a resonance vibrating screen, a completely surprising result is obtained, as explained hereinafter. The main effect of the threshing column is to "beat" the granulate, in that the granulate before treatment is in most cases in the form of irregular clumps tending to agglomerate in an anarchic and dense manner, making his treatment difficult. The action of the chains combined with those of the breakers which stop the "balls" in formation of the granulate will "demotter" it, by cutting / separating the clumps to disintegrate them without deteriorating the components: this "démottage" of the granulate can indeed be carried out by the column according to the invention without having to subject the aggregate to excessive forces, including excessive shear forces, which would be apt to degrade, in particular, the mechanical properties of the polymer. And it is thanks to this prior threshing of the granulate that the resonance vibrating sieve manages to separate two fractions from the beaten granulate, by adjusting the vibration of the sieve at an appropriate frequency of resonance: we recover a first fraction, which is the sifted fraction and which happens to be metal, pure or almost pure, and therefore often directly recoverable / reusable. The vibrating screen thus allows the segregation and recovery of the metal which is least bound to the polymer granules, in significant amounts. This recovery by sieving is all the easier when the metal to be recovered is spring steel type. Another fraction, which constitutes the unscreened residual granulate, is recovered and comprises a mixture containing granules which are very rich in polymer and granules which still contain a residual fiber content of textile and / or metal. This other fraction, in fact, does not react or very little under the effect of resonance, and therefore remains on the sieve. We can then, as will be detailed below, continue to treat this polymer-rich fraction, but this dual treatment can already recover a pure metal or almost pure, quite unexpectedly. Optionally, it is possible to provide an aspiration of dust and textile fines to the falling of the sieved metal in order to refine its cleaning: the first output for the sieved metal components of the resonance vibrating sieve is then preferably equipped with a fines outlet. residuals by suction. The device according to the invention is also interesting for the following reasons: The threshing column is flexible, since its configuration, in particular its height and the number of the pairs of chains, can be adapted according to the needs, in particular depending on the type and the amount of granulate to be treated. It is the same for the vibrating screen, which can be adjusted the number of sieving surfaces and their size, as well as the frequency of vibration. The device does not generate dust, the granulate being cleared of its fines as soon as it passes through the threshing column thanks to the suction system provided for this purpose.

It is possible to limit as much as possible, or even entirely eliminate, any conveyor for transporting the granulate during treatment of the sieve threshing column, advantageously exploiting simple gravity, which makes the device particularly compact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the following and the accompanying drawings, of particular embodiment, in the accompanying drawings, in which: illustrates very diagrammatically the description which will relate to a reference to the figures - Figure 1 an installation the invention; the granulator treatment figure according to 2 is a simplified view in full perspective of the aggregate threshing column belonging to the installation according to FIG. 1; - Figure 3 is an elevational view of the vibrating screen belonging to the installation according to Figure 1; FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of the vibrating screen opening on the magnetic drum separator belonging to the installation according to FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a variant of the complete installation according to FIG. 1. The set of figures is diagrammatic and does not necessarily respect the scale for ease of reading, each element shown retaining the same reference in all the figures. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 show a treatment plant according to the invention of a granulate obtained by prior grinding of tires based on rubber-type elastomers, Textile, some of which in the form of fines, and metal residues, here for the most part spring-steel type steel. The installation shown in FIG. 5 differs from that represented in FIG. 1 only in the means used to evacuate the various fractions of the treated granulate, the devices treating the granulate being the same in both figures. The upstream downstream installation will be described, namely from the first to the last granulate processing station.

Firstly, it is expected that the granulate is introduced (arrow fl) into a first inlet made in the upper wall 31 of a column 3 (described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2) by a means here vibrating hopper type 2 (alternatively, it may be, for example, a belt vibrating conveyor). The upper wall 31 of the column is also provided with a second opening for the extraction of fines (arrow f2) by suction, opening opening into a discharge pipe 4 supplying a device for separating the fines from the air, in particular the cyclone type, with end a recovery bag (not shown here). Then, the granulate is treated in the threshing column, as detailed below, and treated spring (arrow f3) through an opening in the bottom wall 32 of the column where it is collected by a hopper 58 which discharges the granulate to the surface of a vibrating sieve with resonance 5 (detailed in FIG. 3): the vibratory sieve comprises at least two stepped sieving surfaces, the inlet for the beaten aggregate (arrow f3) being disposed at the upstream portion of the first sieving surface 51 , which is the highest, the first output for the sieved metal components being disposed under all the sieving surfaces 51 to 55 (arrows f4). The second outlet for the unscreened residual granulate (arrow f5) is disposed downstream of the lower sieving surface 55. This is a collecting apron 59. According to FIG. 1, the resonance vibrating sieve 5 comprises five successive sieving surfaces 51 to 55 stepped: These surfaces are substantially horizontal and connected to each other by substantially vertical or oblique walls, in the manner of steps, which they are not sieving surfaces.

Alternatively, there may be less than five sieving surfaces or more than five sieving surfaces, or even a single sieving surface. In case of single sieving surface, it is preferred that this sieving surface is inclined from upstream to downstream, to promote the displacement of the granulate from the upstream portion to the downstream portion of the sieving surface. In Figure 3, there is shown a resonance vibrating sieve with more than five sieving surfaces (twelve in this case). In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the outlet for the sieved metal components (arrow f4) is recovered in the lower part of the vibrating screen itself, which is arranged under the sieving surface (s) 51 to 55 of the vibrating screen 5, so as to to collect and evacuate said metal components to a container 61.

Alternatively, it is possible to collect the sieved metal components by a conveying system (vibrating belt ...) simplifying their handling. A housing with suction system is installed at the exit of the vibrating screen, at the fall of the sieved metal components (arrow f4). This suction box 6 (FIG. 1) remains optional, but it advantageously makes it possible to carry out a complementary cleaning in order to eliminate the residual fines particles and to evacuate them through a suction duct 62 (arrow f2 ').

The or each sieving surface 51 to 55 of the resonance vibrating sieve 5 is vibrated using at least one vibrator motor transmitting a vibration movement through a frame 56 (FIG. 4).

Here, two vibrating motors 57 are used, according to a principle known per se in the field of vibrating conveyors or vibrating screens. Such devices are commonly used, so that their mode of operation, the transmission of their vibration to sieving surfaces and the adjustment of the vibration frequency will not be described here in more detail. It should be noted that here the output of beaten aggregate from the threshing column 3 is directly above the entrance for the beaten granulate of the vibrating sieve 5: the beaten granulate "falls" thus by simple gravity of the column 3 threshing in the hopper 58, then on the first sieving surface 51 of the vibrating screen 5, without requiring additional conveying means. Finally, the installation comprises here, in addition, a magnetic drum separator 7 disposed downstream of the resonance vibrating sieve 5 (see also FIG. 4). The separator 7 is provided with an inlet for the unscreened residual granulate (arrow f5), a first outlet (arrow f6) for the granulate loaded with metal components and a second outlet (arrow f7) for the granulate not or lightly loaded with metal components. Said outlets f6 and f7 ending in a distributor member 75 and respective containers 73 and 74, or conveyor systems (belt, vibrating, screw, pneumatic conveying ...) simplifying their handling. Again, it is noted that the second outlet 59 of the vibrating screen 5 for the unscreened residual granulate is here disposed above the entrance of the magnetic drum separator 7, the granulate then falling by simple gravity from one to the other devices. The design detail of the magnetic drum separator 7, whose principle is known per se, does not enter here. Briefly, it will be recalled that it comprises a cylindrical drum 71 rotating about its horizontal axis of revolution composed of a rotating outer partition and a fixed magnetic core 72 equipped with magnets forming, on the surface of the drum, a magnetic field which makes it possible to capture the ferromagnetic metallic components, here the granules rich in steel, and to evacuate them behind the axis of the drum. Once arrived at this point, the drum is demagnetized, and the metal-rich granules fall (arrow f6) into the associated container 73 (or any conveying system), unlike the metal-free or metal-poor granules which, they fell before reaching the axis of the magnetic drum (arrow 7) in the associated container 74 (or any conveying system). FIG. 5 shows a variant of the installation, where the containers 61, 73 and 74 collecting different fractions of the granulate have been replaced by conveyor belts: the conveyor B (arrow f4) which evacuates the sieved metal components by the vibrating screen 5 , the conveyor C for the granulate loaded with metal components (arrow f6), and the conveyor D for discharging granulate with little or no metal components (arrow f7). FIG. 5 further represents the conveyor belt A used to bring the granulate to be treated (arrow fl) to the hopper 2 at the top of the threshing column 3.

We will now return in more detail to the particular structure of the threshing column 3 with reference to FIG. 2. The column 3 comprises a vertical central shaft 33, which is, in operation, rotated with the aid of FIG. a motor 37 rotating a pulley integral with the shaft 33 via a transmission belt 38. On this shaft 33 are mounted a plurality of, in this example, four pairs of chains cl, c2; c3, c4; c5, c6; c7, c8 distributed at different levels on the height of the shaft 33, and therefore of the column 3, and which are metallic in nature. More than four pairs of chains may be used, but preferably at least two pairs of chains. These chains are each provided with a mounting end hooked on the central shaft 33 of the column 3 with a washer 34 engaged and wedged around the shaft and which is provided with a plurality of orifices. 35 regularly distributed on their periphery to pass a chain link. The free end of the chains is, in this embodiment, weighed down by weights p, for example simple metal balls, in the manner of a flail. Column 3 is cylindrical and here has a section of substantially polygonal shape with side walls here eight in number, the column thus having an octagonal section. On the side of the inner wall of the column, there are provided baffle profiles 36 distributed regularly radially with respect to the central shaft 33 and arranged over substantially the entire height of the column 3, these sections being projecting with respect to the wall column 3 (which is also doubled by anti-wear plates). These profiles 36 break the speed of the "pellets" of aggregates in formation driven by the chains, they realize the demolition of the granulate and reduce the balls remaining attached to the chains. The jets 36 can, as shown in Figure 2, be arranged at the junction between the plates constituting the octagonal side wall of the column 3, and be in the form of polyhedra, corners of two, three or four sections. Alternatively, they may be arranged not in the junction areas of the plates, but in the middle of the faces of said plates. Their dimensioning is adjusted so as to leave an appropriate distance between their most salient point towards the center of the column and the free end of the chains when the shaft 33 is rotated. This distance must indeed be neither too great, the presence of the profiles then not being effective, nor too small, which would impose the granules that fall into the column by the feed hopper excessive shear forces that would deteriorate . In cooperation with the heavy chains rotating around the shaft 33 mu in rotation, the profiles 36 disintegrate, or demotect the granules that have tended to agglomerate, so as to recover in the lower part of the column 3 granules better They are of a more uniform size, which will then be easier to process by the vibrating screen 5 and then by the magnetic drum separator 7, which alone would not make it possible to recover a reusable metal fraction. Note also that, preferably, it is expected to equip the column 3 with an access door (not shown) including preferably disposed over almost the entire height thereof and practiced in at least one of the plates of shielding doubles the inner wall of the column, to allow inspection, cleaning if necessary and replacement of shielding plates and chains. Upper and lower wall stiffeners 39 and 32 of the column 3 may also be provided for taking up forces exerted at the ends of the shaft during its operation. Racks are provided to support in a known manner the various elements of the installation 1, which will not be detailed here.

The invention thus makes the following treatments to the granulate: disintegration of the "clumps" of granulate and removal of fines in the upper part of the threshing column 3, extraction of particulate metal reusable by the resonance vibrating sieve 5, separation of the non components sifted into fractions of granules rich and poor in metal by the magnetic drum device, in order either to reprocess them or to reuse them as such (in particular the metal-poor fraction). The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described with the aid of the figures, but on the contrary covers any variant using, with equivalent means, the characteristics mentioned above. Thus, the installation according to this mode is very compact and uses gravity to circulate the granulate from one machine to another, but it is of course possible to provide conveying means specific to each other. machines. It is also possible to continue the treatment of the metal-rich granules collected at the end of the treatment by the magnetic drum, in particular by making them undergo additional mechanical treatment, or by making them return to the installation. Such recycling then makes it possible to recover an additional fraction of metal components. The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for upgrading aggregates from recycled tires containing metal residues, but applies more widely to any mixture of polymer particles and metal components.

Claims (16)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) for treating a granulate comprising polymer components bonded to metal components and textile components including fines, characterized in that said device comprises: - a column (3) for threshing granules, which is provided in the upper part with an inlet (f1) of the granulate and an outlet (f2) of fines by suction and at the bottom of an outlet for the beaten granulate, said column (3) comprising a vertical central shaft (33). ) adapted to be rotated and on which are mounted at least one pair of chains (cl, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6, c7, c8) diametrically opposite one another, by one of their ends and whose inner wall is provided with baffle bars (36) protruding from the rest of the wall, and - a resonance vibrating sieve (5) comprising at least one sieving surface (51,52,53,54, 55) and provided with an inlet (f3) for the beaten granulate, a first outlet (f4) for the sieved metal components and a second outlet (f5) for the unscreened residual granulate. 2. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the input of the aggregate in the upper part of the threshing column (3) is equipped with a feed means (2) vibrating hopper type or conveyor to bandaged. 3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threshing column (3) comprises at least two, in particular at least three pairs of chains (cl, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6 , c7, c8) distributed at different levels over the height of the column (3). 30 4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free ends of the chains (cl, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6, c7, c8) of the threshing column (3) are increased. by weights (p). 5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jets (37) of the threshing column (3) are distributed regularly radially relative to the central shaft (33) and arranged on substantially the entire height of said column. 6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting end of the chains (cl, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6, c7, c8) of the threshing column (3) is hooked on the central shaft (33) of the column with a washer (34) engaged and wedged around the shaft and which is provided with a plurality of orifices (35) regularly distributed on their in order to pass a chain link. 7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threshing column (3) has a cylindrical wall of polygonal section, in particular octagonal. 8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner wall of the threshing column (3) is lined by anti-wear plates. 9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threshing column (3) is provided with an access door. 10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output of fines (f2) by suction opens into a discharge pipe (4) supplying a device for separating the fines from the air, in particular cyclone type. 11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output of beaten aggregate of the threshing column (3) is directly above the entrance for the beaten aggregate of the resonance vibrating sieve. (5). 12. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resonance vibrating screen (5) comprises a succession of at least two stepped sieving surfaces (51,52,53,54,55), inlet for the pressed granulate being disposed at the upstream portion of the highest sieving surface (51), the first outlet (f4) for the sieved metal components being disposed under all the sieving surfaces, and the second outlet (f5) for the unscreened residual granulate being disposed downstream of the lowest sieving surface (55). 13. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each sieving surface (51,52,53,54,55) of the resonance vibrating sieve (5) is vibrated using at least one vibrating motor (57) transmitting a vibration movement through a frame (56). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first outlet (f4) for the sieved metal components of the resonance vibrating sieve (5) is equipped with a residual fines outlet (f'2 ) by aspiration. 15. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a magnetic drum separator (7) disposed downstream of the vibrating resonance sieve (5), said separator being provided with a inlet for the unsifted residual granulate, a first outlet (f6) for the granulate loaded with metal components, and a second outlet (f7) for the granulate with little or no metal components. 16. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second outlet (f5) of the resonance vibrating sieve (5) for the unscreened residual granulate is disposed vertically above the inlet of the magnetic drum separator. (7).