JP2008136999A - Method and apparatus for separating substance - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for separating substances, in each of which a composite material such as a waste electric wire or a mixture such as waste oil is treated and separated into a useful material and an unnecessary material. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus 1 for separating substances, which is used for treating the composite material such as the waste electric wire or the mixture such as waste oil, is provided with a housing tank 2 and a superheated steam generating unit (a superheated steam generating means) 3. The superheated steam generated in the superheated steam generating unit 3 is sent to a superheated steam introduction part 53 and jetted from a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipelines 56 toward the composite material to be treated. When the composite material contains a metal and thermoplastic plastic or synthetic rubber like the waste electric wire, the thermoplastic plastic or synthetic rubber in the composite material is pyrolyzed and gasified by the action of superheated steam. Meanwhile, the metal in the composite material can be recovered as it is without being oxidized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a substance separation method and substance separation apparatus, and more particularly, a substance separation method for separating a useful substance and an unnecessary substance by treating a mixture or composite material containing a plurality of substances using superheated steam. And a substance separation apparatus for use in the separation method.

In recent years, there has been a growing demand for effective recycling of waste from the viewpoint of effective use of resources. On the other hand, products made of composite materials composed of a plurality of types of materials (for example, metal and plastic) are increasing, making it difficult to recycle them from waste (composite waste). For example, an electric wire has a surface of a metal wire such as copper provided with a coating made of a material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVA) or polyethylene (PE). Various processes for collection are performed. As a method for treating electric wire waste (waste electric wire), for example, a method of separating a metal wire and a covering by physical treatment and collecting the metal wire is performed. A representative example of the physical processing is manual. On the other hand, a method of burning a coating by burning a waste wire to separate the metal and the coating is also performed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2000-15218 A JP 2002-349831 A

  However, the method of processing waste wires by physical processing such as manpower is unsuitable for mass processing because its processing capacity depends on the number of workers. On the other hand, according to the method of burning waste wires, a large amount of waste wires can be treated. However, in this method, the coating can be removed efficiently, but the metal to be recovered is oxidized. Therefore, in order to recover the target metal, it is necessary to reduce the metal oxide separately, which is complicated.

  Further, the disposal of a mixture containing various oil components and sludge such as sludge, such as waste oil from a ship, is complicated and problematic.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a material separation method and a material separation device for efficiently separating a useful material and an unnecessary material by treating a composite material such as a waste electric wire. .

  Invention of Claim 1 for solving an above-mentioned subject is a mixture containing the 1st substance which converts into gas by contact with superheated steam, and the 2nd substance which does not convert into gas by contact with superheated steam, or A method for separating a substance, wherein the composite material is brought into contact with superheated steam to convert the first substance into a gas, thereby separating the first substance and the second substance.

  The present invention relates to a method for separating a substance, and a mixture or composite material including a first substance that is converted into a gas by contact with superheated steam and a second substance that is not converted to a gas by contact with superheated steam is treated. And the mixture or composite is brought into contact with superheated steam to convert the first substance into a gas, and the first substance and the second substance are separated. In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the second substance is converted into a gas and separated from the first substance, so that the separation can be easily performed. Moreover, since the superheated steam is used in the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the mixture or the composite material can be treated in an oxygen-free state or a state very close to oxygen-free. As a result, the oxidation of the second substance is highly suppressed, which is suitable when it is desired to recover the second substance. Furthermore, the generation of carbon dioxide is highly suppressed, which is also effective for environmental measures.

  Here, as an example of “conversion of a substance into a gas”, pyrolysis gasification is representative. For example, when the first substance is a thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, synthetic rubber, or oil, it is converted into a gas mainly by pyrolysis gasification.

  It is recommended that the first substance be a thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, synthetic rubber, or oil (claim 2). A configuration in which the second substance is a metal, a metal oxide, or an inorganic substance is also recommended (Claim 3).

  The invention according to claim 4 is the method for separating a substance according to claim 1, wherein the mixture is waste oil.

  In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the object to be treated is waste oil. With this configuration, oil can be recovered from waste oil more efficiently and simply. Furthermore, since superheated steam is used, carbon generation from waste oil is suppressed, and separation can be easily performed.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the method for separating a substance according to claim 1, characterized in that the composite material contains thermoplastic plastic or synthetic rubber as the first substance and metal as the second substance. .

  In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the object to be treated is a composite material containing a metal as the first substance and a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber as the second substance. With this configuration, the metal can be recovered in a state where oxidation is highly suppressed, and there is no need to reduce it separately. Here, examples of “a composite material including a thermoplastic plastic or a synthetic rubber and a metal” include a metal laminate material such as an aluminum laminate material used for electric wires and packaging, and a plastic plastic or synthetic rubber around a metal pipe. And a composite material provided with a coating layer made of

  The invention according to claim 6 is the method for separating a substance according to claim 5, wherein the composite material is an electric wire in which a coating made of a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber is provided on the surface of the metal wire. It is.

  In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, electric wires are treated. With this configuration, the covering can be easily removed from the electric wire, and the metal wire with highly suppressed oxidation can be recovered.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the superheated steam has a temperature in the range of 150 ° C. to 1000 ° C. and is manufactured under a pressure of 1.0 MPa or less. 6. The method for separating a substance according to any one of 6 above.

  Since the temperature of the superheated steam used in the method for separating a substance of the present invention is in the range of 150 ° C. to 1000 ° C., for example, the thermal decomposition gasification of the thermoplastic or synthetic rubber as the first substance is efficiently performed. be able to. Furthermore, since the superheated steam is produced under a pressure of 1.0 MPa or less, its production is easy.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the method for separating a substance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is gradually increased or gradually increased with time.

  In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the temperature of the superheated steam brought into contact with the mixture or the composite is gradually increased or gradually increased over time. With this configuration, the first substance and the second substance can be separated, and at the same time, a plurality of components constituting the first substance can be separated and recovered with different boiling points.

  After the mixture or composite material is stored in the storage tank, a configuration in which the superheated steam is brought into contact with the mixture or composite material by introducing a predetermined amount of superheated steam into the storage tank is recommended.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the method for separating a substance according to claim 9, wherein superheated steam is introduced into the storage tank and the storage tank is further heated from the outside.

  In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the mixture or composite material is heated from the outside of the storage tank while contacting the superheated steam inside the storage tank. With such a configuration, conversion of the first substance into gas (for example, pyrolysis gasification) can be advanced more rapidly.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, after a plastic that does not generate corrosive substances by heating is stored in the storage tank, a predetermined amount of superheated steam is introduced into the storage tank to liquefy the plastic, and the inner wall of the storage tank The method for separating a substance according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the pretreatment step for forming an oil film on the container is performed before the mixture or the composite material is stored in the storage tank.

  In the method for separating a substance of the present invention, a pretreatment process for forming an oil film on the inner wall of the storage tank is performed before the treatment of the mixture or the composite material is started. With such a configuration, even if the mixture or composite material is made of a material containing an organic halogen (for example, organic chlorine) and a corrosive substance (for example, hydrogen chloride) is generated by contact with superheated steam, the pretreatment step The inner wall of the storage tank is protected by the oil film formed in (1), and erosion of the storage tank is suppressed. Examples of “plastic that does not generate corrosive substances by heating” include various plastics that do not contain organic halogen.

  The invention according to claim 12 is an apparatus for use in the method for separating a substance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and a storage tank for storing a mixture or a composite material, and generates superheated steam. And a superheated steam generating means for introducing the superheated steam generated from the superheated steam generating means into the storage tank.

  The present invention relates to a substance separation apparatus, and relates to an apparatus for use in the substance separation method of the present invention. That is, the substance separation apparatus of the present invention includes a storage tank for storing a mixture or a composite material, and superheated steam generation means for generating superheated steam, and introduces superheated steam generated from the superheated steam generation means into the storage tank. Is possible. In the substance separation apparatus of the present invention, superheated steam can be brought into contact with the mixture or composite material (including the first substance and the second substance) contained in the containing tank, and the gas of the first substance in the containing tank Conversion to can be done. Furthermore, at this time, since the inside of the storage tank is kept in an oxygen-free state or a state that is extremely close to no residue, oxidation of the second substance such as metal is highly suppressed, which is suitable when it is desired to recover the second substance.

  The invention according to claim 13 further includes a superheated steam introduction pipe connecting the superheated steam generation means and the inside of the storage tank, and the superheated steam is introduced from the superheated steam generation means to the inside of the storage tank through the superheated steam introduction pipe. The substance separation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the substance separation apparatus can be introduced.

  With such a configuration, a material separation device can be provided that facilitates the introduction of superheated steam into the storage tank.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the substance separation device according to claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes are provided, and superheated steam can be introduced into the storage tank from a plurality of locations.

  In the substance separation device of the present invention, a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes are provided, and superheated steam can be introduced into the storage tank from a plurality of locations. With this configuration, the superheated steam can be uniformly brought into contact with the mixture or the composite material in the storage tank.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the substance separation device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a storage tank heating means for heating the storage tank from the outside.

  With this configuration, the conversion of the first substance into the gas in the storage tank can be advanced more quickly.

  The invention described in claim 16 further includes a dehalogenation device, and can dehalogenate a gas generated by converting the first substance into a gas. 2. The substance separation apparatus according to item 1.

  The substance separation apparatus of the present invention includes a dehalogenation apparatus, and can process a gas generated by pyrolysis gasification of the first substance by the dehalogenation apparatus. With this configuration, even if the first substance of the mixture or composite material contains an organic halogen such as organic chlorine and there is a risk of generating harmful gases such as hydrogen chloride gas due to pyrolysis gasification, etc. Separation of the one substance and the second substance can be performed. Examples of the first substance containing organic chlorine include polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylidene chloride which are thermoplastics.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the substance separation device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the storage tank includes a viewing window for monitoring the inside of the storage tank.

  With this configuration, the inside of the storage tank can be easily observed, and the progress state of the pyrolysis gasification reaction or the like can be visually checked.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the substance separation device according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the inner wall of the storage tank is provided with a ceramic coating.

  With this configuration, even when the first substance contains organic chlorine or the like and corrosive gas such as hydrogen chloride may be generated in the storage tank, corrosion of the inner wall of the storage tank can be prevented.

  According to the method for separating a substance of the present invention, since the first substance (thermoplastic, thermosetting plastic, synthetic rubber, etc.) of the mixture or composite material is converted into gas (pyrolysis gasification, etc.), the first substance Can be easily removed. Moreover, since superheated steam is used for the treatment of the mixture or the composite material, the mixture or the composite material can be treated in an oxygen-free state or a state very close to oxygen-free. As a result, the oxidation of the second substance (metal or the like) is highly suppressed, which is suitable when it is desired to recover the second substance. Further, when the mixture is waste oil, carbon generation is suppressed and separation can be easily performed.

  The same applies to the substance separation apparatus of the present invention, and the first substance of the mixture or composite material is pyrolyzed and gasified, so that the first substance can be easily removed. Furthermore, the mixture or composite can be treated in an oxygen-free state or in a state very close to oxygen-free, and the oxidation of the second substance is highly suppressed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In the following description, a mixture or composite containing a “first substance that is converted into a gas upon contact with superheated steam and a second substance that is not converted into a gas upon contact with superheated steam, which is a treatment target of the present invention. The “material” will be referred to as a “processing object”. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a substance separation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a dehalogenation apparatus and the like further provided in the substance separation apparatus of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the superheated steam introducing portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the substance separation device 1 of this embodiment includes a storage tank 2 and a superheated steam generator (superheated steam generation means) 3. The storage tank 2 includes a storage tank main body 6 and an upper lid 7, both of which are hermetically joined via packing. The storage tank 2 has a diameter of about 500 mm to 1000 mm and a height of about 1000 mm to 2000 mm. The storage tank 2 is made of stainless steel such as SUS304 or SUS316. The other parts of the material separation device 1 are also formed of similar stainless steel unless otherwise specified.

  On the side surface of the storage tank body 6, a processing object input unit 10, a catalyst / residue extraction unit 11, an internal monitoring port (viewing window) 12, and a temperature sensor 14 are provided. The processing object input unit 10 includes a processing object input passage 15 and a lid 16. The processing object input passage 15 is cylindrical and communicates with the inside of the storage tank 2. The lid 16 is provided at the tip of the processing object input passage 15 and can be opened and closed and sealed. A part of the lid 16 is made of heat-resistant glass, and the inside of the storage tank 2 can be visually observed. The processing object input passage 15 is provided at a substantially vertical center of the storage tank body 6 and extends obliquely upward. When the processing object is put into the storage tank 2, the lid 16 is opened to put the processing target object, and the processing target is put into the storage tank 2 through the processing target input passage 15.

  The catalyst / residue extraction portion 11 is provided on the side surface of the storage tank body 6 at the lowermost end. The catalyst / residue extraction unit 11 includes a catalyst / residue extraction passage 18 and a lid 20. The catalyst / residue extraction passage 18 has a rectangular cross section and communicates with the inside of the storage tank 2. The lid 20 is provided at the tip of the catalyst / residue extraction passage 18 and can be opened and closed and sealed. The catalyst / residue extraction passage 18 extends in the horizontal direction from the storage tank body 6, and is configured such that a catalyst / residue receiver 22, which will be described later, can be taken in and out through the catalyst / residue extraction passage 18.

  The internal monitoring port (view window) 12 is for visually observing the inside of the storage tank 2, and a part thereof is made of heat resistant glass. The internal monitoring port 12 is provided at a position between the processing object input unit 10 and the catalyst / residue extraction unit 11.

  The temperature sensor 14 is installed in the vicinity of a superheated steam outlet 57 described later, and is for measuring the temperature of the superheated steam ejected from the superheated steam outlet 57.

  In the substance separation device 1 in FIG. 1, for the sake of convenience, the processing object input unit 10, the catalyst / residue extraction unit 11, the internal monitoring port 12, and the temperature sensor 14 are illustrated as being provided in a straight line. These horizontal arrangements are arbitrary. Further, also in the vertical direction, the arrangement of the processing object input unit 10, the catalyst / residue extraction unit 11, the internal monitoring port 12, and the temperature sensor 14 is not limited to the order shown in FIG. Moreover, you may provide the process target object injection | throwing-in part 10, the catalyst and residue extraction part 11, the internal monitoring port 12, and the temperature sensor 14 as needed.

  Inside the storage tank 2, a catalyst / residue receiver 22 and a secondary catalyst packed layer 23 are provided. The catalyst / residue receiver 22 is a “dish” with a handle placed on the bottom surface of the storage tank 2, and can be taken in and out through the catalyst / residue extraction passage 18. In the case of processing an object to be processed by the substance separating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the substance separating apparatus 1 is operated with the object to be processed and the primary catalyst placed on the catalyst / residue receiver 22.

  The secondary catalyst packed layer 23 is provided on the uppermost part of the storage tank body 6. The gas generated in the storage tank 2 is pretreated by passing through the secondary catalyst packed bed 23. Specifically, the catalyst filled in the secondary catalyst packed bed 23 is zeolite. The upper lid 7 of the storage tank 2 is provided with a storage tank exhaust port 25 that communicates with the inside of the storage tank 2 through the secondary catalyst packed layer 23. Further, a temperature sensor 26 for measuring the temperature of the gas is installed in the vicinity of the storage tank exhaust port 25.

  A ceramic coating is applied to the inner wall of the storage tank 2. Therefore, even if corrosive gas is generated from the object to be treated during operation of the substance separation device 1, the inner wall will not corrode.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the substance separation device 1 further includes a dehalogenation device 27. The dehalogenation device 27 is connected to the storage tank exhaust port 25 shown in FIG. 1 via a pipe 24, and the gas that has passed through the secondary catalyst packed bed 23 is introduced. The gas is dehalogenated by the action of the dehalogenating device 27. The dehalogenation device 27 is, for example, one containing iron as an active ingredient.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust port 28 of the dehalogenation device 27 is connected to a capacitor 60. As a result, the dehalogenated gas is condensed and the oil is recovered. The condensed oil is recovered in the liquid receiving tank 61. Further, the liquid receiving tank 61 is connected to a water-sealed tank 62 for preventing backfire, and the water-sealed tank 62 is connected to the external heat heating space 31 shown in FIG. The remaining gas that has not been condensed by the condenser 60 flows through the return gas flow path 63 via the water-sealed tank 62, enters the external heat heating space 31, and is discharged from the exhaust cylinder 32.

  The storage tank body 6 of the storage tank 2 is surrounded by a jacket-like surrounding member 30. An external heat heating space 31 is formed between the enclosing member 30 and the bottom of the storage tank body 6. The external heat heating space 31 communicates with an exhaust cylinder 32, and the exhaust cylinder 32 is open to the outside. Note that the processing object input unit 10, the catalyst / residue extraction unit 11, and the internal monitoring port 12 all penetrate a part of the surrounding member 30 and can be operated from the outside of the surrounding member 30. In addition, the space between the surrounding member 30 and the storage tank main body 6, the processing object input unit 10, the catalyst / residue extraction unit 11, and the internal monitoring port 12 is hermetically sealed. Open to the outside only through.

  The superheated steam generator (superheated steam generation means) 3 includes a burner 35, a superheated cylinder 36, and a coil 37. The burner 35 is a gun-type burner, and is connected to the overheating cylinder 36 so that the inside of the overheating cylinder 36 can be heated. The overheating cylinder 36 is a cylindrical member, and the tip thereof communicates with the external heating space 31.

  The coil 37 is provided inside the overheating cylinder 36. The coil 37 is supplied with steam. That is, one end of the coil 37 is a steam supply port 50 and the other end is a steam discharge port 51, and steam is supplied from the boiler 38 to the steam supply port 50. The supplied steam flows through the coil 37 and is discharged from the steam discharge port 51. The steam outlet 51 is connected to a superheated steam supply line 55 described later via a pipe 52. During the operation of the superheated steam generator 3, the coil 37 is heated by the burner 35, and the steam that flows through the coil 37 and is discharged from the steam outlet 51 becomes superheated steam.

  A superheated steam introducing portion 53 is provided around the housing tank body 6 and inside the surrounding member 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the superheated steam introduction part 53 is configured by a superheated steam supply line 55 and a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes 56. The superheated steam supply line 55 is a pipe having a substantially circular shape as a whole, and is provided so that the storage tank body 6 is wound around a vertical position between the processing object input part 10 of the storage tank body 6 and the internal monitoring port 12. ing. A steam discharge port 51 of the coil 37 is connected to the superheated steam supply line 55 via a pipe 52, and superheated steam produced by the superheated steam generator 3 is supplied. The superheated steam supply line 55 branches downward, and a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes 56 are connected. The superheated steam introduction pipe 56 penetrates the wall surface of the storage tank main body 6, and a tip portion thereof opens to the inside of the storage tank 2. The tip portion functions as a superheated steam outlet 57. Further, all of the plurality of superheated steam outlets 57 are open in the direction toward the catalyst / residue receiver 22, and the superheated steam ejected from the superheated steam outlet 57 is a processing object placed on the catalyst / residue receiver 22. And uniform contact with the primary catalyst.

  The size of the substance separation device 1 is compact enough to fit in a 1.5 meter square. Therefore, for example, it can be used in a corner of a factory. Further, the size can be further reduced by using an existing boiler as it is. For example, since it is normal that the ship is equipped with the boiler, the waste oil which comes out of a ship can be processed only by bringing the substance separation apparatus 1 into the ship.

  Next, the operation of the substance separation apparatus 1 will be described by taking as an example the case where the object to be treated is a waste electric wire, and an embodiment of the substance separation method of the present invention will also be described. The waste electric wire is assumed to be provided with a coating made of polyvinyl chloride around a copper wire.

  As a procedure for separating the copper wire of the waste wire and the covering using the material separation device 1, first, a catalyst / residue receiver 22 is installed on the inner bottom surface of the material separation device 1. Specifically, the lid 20 of the substance separation device 1 is opened, a catalyst / residue receiver 22 is placed, and the catalyst / residue extraction passage 18 is introduced into the storage tank 2. At this time, the primary catalyst is put in the catalyst / residue receiver 22 in advance. As the primary catalyst, one capable of generating hydrogen by reacting with water (for example, iron) is employed.

  Next, the lid 16 of the processing object input unit 10 is opened, and the waste electric wire to be processed is input into the storage tank 2 through the processing object input passage 15. At this time, the waste electric wires fall along the processing object input passage 15 and are collected on the catalyst / residue receiver 22. As a result, the waste wire and the primary catalyst are placed on the catalyst / residue receiver 22. In addition, it is preferable to cut | disconnect the waste electric wire which should be processed finely beforehand. Thereby, in the process of making it contact with subsequent superheated steam, it is because a waste wire can contact with superheated steam more uniformly.

  After confirming that the lids 16 and 20 are closed and sealed, the superheated steam generator 3 is operated. The procedure for operating the superheated steam generator 3 is as follows. First, the burner 35 is operated, and the coil 37 is heated in the superheated cylinder 36. In this state, steam produced by the boiler 38 is supplied from the steam supply port 50 to the coil 37. At this time, the steam supplied from the boiler 38 may have a low pressure of 1.0 MPa (gauge pressure) or less. When the steam from the boiler 38 is supplied to the steam supply port 50, the steam is overheated in the coil 37 to become superheated steam and is discharged from the steam discharge port 51. The temperature of the produced superheated steam can be adjusted by the output of the burner 35 and is adjusted so that the superheated steam is in the range of 150 ° C. to 1000 ° C. in the storage tank 2. Specifically, the temperature measurement value by the temperature sensor 14 may be in the range of 150 ° C to 1000 ° C.

  The superheated steam produced by the coil 37 is sent to the superheated steam introduction part 53. Specifically, superheated steam is supplied from the steam outlet 51 of the coil 37 to the superheated steam supply line 55 via the pipe 52. The superheated steam supplied to the superheated steam supply line 55 is branched and sent to the plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes 56, and superheated steam is ejected from the plurality of superheated steam outlets 57. As a result, superheated steam is ejected toward the catalyst / residue receiver 22, and the superheated steam contacts the waste wire on the catalyst / residue receiver 22 and the primary catalyst. As described above, the temperature of the superheated steam to be ejected is adjusted to the range of 150 ° C to 1000 ° C. Thereby, the covering of the waste electric wire made of polyvinyl chloride is pyrolyzed and gasified, and the copper wire and the covering are separated. In addition, since the object to be treated is processed in an oxygen-free state or near oxygen-free state due to superheated steam, the copper wire can exist in a state in which oxidation is highly suppressed, and can be recovered as metal copper as it is. is there.

  On the other hand, the burner 35 heats the coil 37, and at the same time, the heat is transferred from the tip of the overheating cylinder 36 to the external heat heating space 31. As a result, the storage tank 2 is also heated from the outside. That is, in this embodiment, the burner 35 also functions as a storage tank heating means. The heating by the external heat is performed around the outer bottom surface of the storage tank 2. Heating by external heat assists the pyrolysis gasification of polyvinyl chloride with superheated steam, and has a role of causing the pyrolysis gasification to proceed rapidly. The temperature of the external heat can be set to, for example, about 800 ° C. close to the temperature of the superheated steam.

  The gas generated by pyrolyzing the coating is first passed through the secondary catalyst packed bed 23 made of zeolite. Thereby, some toxic components in the gas are removed. The gas that has passed through the secondary catalyst packed bed 23 is sent to the dehalogenation device 27 via the exhaust port 28 and the pipe 24. The gas is dehalogenated by the dehalogenator 27 and then sent to the capacitor 60. Thereby, the dehalogenated gas is condensed, and the condensed oil is recovered in the liquid receiving tank 61. Further, the remaining gas is returned to the external heat heating space 31 via the water-sealed tank 62 and the return gas passage 63, and is discharged from the exhaust cylinder 32.

  What is necessary is just to determine suitably the introduction amount and introduction time of the superheated steam in the storage tank 2 according to the kind of the metal and the covering constituting the waste electric wire, the amount of the waste electric wire, and the like. The amount of superheated steam to be introduced and the introduction time may be determined while observing the state of the waste wire being processed from the internal monitoring port 12 and confirming the state of pyrolysis gasification (separation state) of the coating.

  Moreover, although the metal of a waste wire can be recovered in a state where oxidation is highly suppressed, a part of the metal may be oxidized. Even in that case, a desired metal can be obtained by recovering as a metal oxide and reducing by a known method.

  In this embodiment, superheated steam is introduced into the storage tank 2 from a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes 56 branched from the superheated steam supply line 55, but other embodiments are also possible. For example, a shower ball may be attached to the tip of the superheated steam introduction pipe 56 and the superheated steam may be ejected from a plurality of holes in the shower ball. In this case, there is no need to provide a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes 56, the number of superheated steam introduction pipes 56 penetrating the containing tank body 6 can be reduced, and the processing of the containing tank body 6 is easy.

  In this embodiment, the processing object is placed on the catalyst / residue receiver 22 and processed. However, when the processing object is a liquid such as waste oil, the bottom of the storage tank 2 is used without using the catalyst / residue receiver 22. Alternatively, waste oil or the like may be directly added to the tank.

  In this embodiment, the object to be treated is a waste electric wire, but regardless of the kind of the object to be treated, when the method for separating a substance of the present invention is applied to the object to be treated containing an organic compound, carbon and oil are removed from the organic compound. Is produced, and carbon dioxide is not generated. This is because, in the present invention, superheated steam is used, so that the treatment is performed in a substantially oxygen-free state. At this time, the carbon can be recovered as a residue, but in the present invention, the effect of volume reduction by superheated steam is significant, and the recovered carbon has a high calorie with a low water content. As a result, the carbon is easily combusted.

  In this embodiment, the ceramic coating is applied to the inner wall of the storage tank 2, but an embodiment in which the ceramic coating is not applied is also possible. In this case, the material of the inner wall of the storage tank 2 is stainless steel itself, but in this embodiment, a large amount of superheated steam is introduced into the storage tank 2, so that even if corrosive gas is generated, it is considerably diluted. And does not become high concentrations. For example, even if hydrogen chloride gas or sulfuric acid gas is generated, it does not become concentrated hydrochloric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid in the storage tank 2, but only dilute hydrochloric acid or diluted sulfuric acid with a very low concentration. As a result, even if the inner wall of the storage tank 2 remains stainless steel, corrosion is not a problem and the possibility of cracking is low. Furthermore, there is no big problem even if the storage tank 2 is made of iron instead of stainless steel. For example, if thick iron is used, the possibility of occurrence of corrosion and cracking is low as in the case of using stainless steel.

  Embodiment which performs the pre-processing process for protecting the inner wall of the storage tank 2 before processing a process target object is also possible. That is, first, “plastic that does not generate corrosive substances by heating” is stored in the storage tank 2, and superheated steam is introduced into the storage tank 2. Examples of the plastic include plastics that do not contain organic halogen such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Then, oil is generated from these plastics, and an oil film can be formed on the inner wall of the storage tank 2. The oil film has an action of protecting the inner wall of the storage tank 2 from corrosive substances (for example, hydrochloric acid). If a normal processing object is processed after performing such a pretreatment process, even if the processing object contains organic chlorine such as polyvinyl chloride, corrosion of the inner wall of the storage tank 2 due to hydrochloric acid is suppressed. It is done. According to this embodiment, the ceramic coating of the storage tank 2 becomes unnecessary, and the material of the storage tank 2 may be stainless steel or iron.

In above-mentioned embodiment, the thing of 150 to 1000 degreeC is employ | adopted as superheated steam introduce | transduced into the storage tank 2, and the thing of constant temperature is assumed fundamentally. However, an embodiment in which the temperature of the superheated steam is gradually increased (gradually increased) with time and an embodiment in which the temperature of the superheated steam is increased in stages can be adopted. According to this embodiment, a plurality of vaporized components can be separated and recovered with different boiling points. As a specific example, certain thermosetting plastics are hardened and shrunk when suddenly brought into contact with superheated steam at about 450 ° C., but the temperature of the superheated steam gradually decreases from a low temperature (for example, 200 ° C. or lower). When it is raised, some components are vaporized. At this time, a plurality of components can be separated and recovered with different boiling points (fractional distillation). For example, light oil can be separated and recovered at about 200 ° C, light oil A at 400 ° C to 450 ° C, and heavy oil C at about 600 ° C. What is necessary is just to select suitably about the temperature rise rate at the time of making temperature rise according to the kind of process target object and the kind of substance to collect | recover. The same applies when the temperature is raised stepwise, and the maintenance temperature and the maintenance time of each step may be appropriately selected.
This embodiment is effective, for example, when processing fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) waste. That is, FRP consists of a glass fiber (inorganic) aggregate and a plastic base material. When the superheated steam is brought into contact with FRP, which is a thermosetting plastic, the base material gradually increases or gradually increases the temperature of the superheated steam. The thermosetting plastic is vaporized and fractionated for each component, leaving a glass fiber portion. As a result, the FRP becomes brittle and physical destruction is facilitated, and a plurality of components can be separated and recovered from the thermosetting plastic.
In the method and apparatus for separating substances according to the present invention, superheated steam is introduced to heat the object to be treated, so that a uniform temperature rise can be achieved with respect to the object to be treated. Especially suitable for doing.

  Next, the operation of the substance separation method and the substance separation apparatus of the present invention will be described for each type of treatment object. The first example is a case where the object to be treated is a composite material including a metal (second substance) such as a waste electric wire or a metal laminate and a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber (first substance). In this case, the thermoplastic or synthetic rubber is pyrolyzed and gasified by the action of superheated steam and separated from the metal. At this time, the metal can be recovered in a state where oxidation is highly suppressed. The coating can be recovered as an oil.

  Here, the metal is not particularly limited, and all metals such as iron, copper, nickel, and aluminum can be the second substance in the present invention. In addition, various alloys can be the second material.

  Moreover, there is no limitation in particular as the said thermoplastic plastic used as a 1st substance, Any of general-purpose resin and engineering plastic (engineering plastic) may be sufficient. For example, crystalline general-purpose resins such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PE), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyvinyl chloride (PVA), polystyrene (PS) , ABS resin, AS resin, Acrylic resin (PMMA) and other non-crystalline general purpose resins; polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), GF reinforced polyethylene terephthalate (GF-PET) Crystalline general engineering plastics such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); Noncrystalline general engineering plastics such as polycarbonate (PC) and modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE); Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEE) ), Crystalline special engineering plastics such as liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and fluororesin (FR); polyarylate (PAR), polysulfone (PSF), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamideimide (PAI), polyetherimide ( Non-crystalline special engineering plastics such as PEI) and thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) are examples of thermoplastics.

  The synthetic rubber as the first substance is not particularly limited, and isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), 1,2-polybutadiene (1,2-BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene. Rubber (CR), nitrile rubber (NBR), butyl rubber (IIR) ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM, EPDM), chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber (CSM), acrylic rubber (ACM, ANM), epichlorohydrin rubber (CO, Synthetic rubbers such as ECO), polysulfide rubber (T), silicone rubber (Q), methyl vinyl silicone rubber (VMQ), fluorinated silicone rubber (FVMQ), fluorine rubber (FKM, FZ), urethane rubber (U), etc. Take as an example.

  In the case where the object to be treated is a composite waste containing an aluminum foil such as an aluminum laminate and a plastic, the following effects are also obtained. That is, in general, when handling waste containing aluminum foil, the risk of dust explosion must always be considered. Therefore, conventionally, it has been recommended to separate the aluminum foil and the plastic in advance and treat them separately. However, since the superheated steam is used in the method for separating a substance of the present invention, waste is treated in an oxygen-free state or a state very close to oxygen-free. As a result, even if the composite waste containing aluminum foil and plastic is treated as it is, the possibility of explosion is very low. In addition, as an example of the composite waste containing aluminum foil and plastic, waste such as lunches discharged from a convenience store or the like can be given.

  The second example is a case where the object to be treated is a composite waste such as a video tape. The video tape includes a thermoplastic (such as PET), a thermosetting plastic, and a metal. However, by the method for separating a substance of the present invention, the thermoplastic is pyrolytically gasified and separated from the thermosetting plastic and the metal. be able to. In addition, what is necessary is just to isolate | separate a metal and a thermosetting plastic suitably after a process by well-known methods, such as using a magnet. In addition, when raising the temperature of superheated steam gradually or in steps, a thermosetting plastic can also be vaporized.

A third example is a case where the object to be treated is a composite waste such as an automobile bumper. The bumper is a composite material containing metal and FRP. However, the FRP base material (made of thermosetting plastic or thermoplastic) is pyrolyzed and gasified by the method of separating a substance of the present invention, and the FRP is aggregated (glass). (Made of fiber). As a result, FRP becomes brittle and physical destruction becomes easy. Conventionally, bumper waste is cut and destroyed as it is with a chain saw or the like, but there is a problem that the physical strength of FRP is high and the teeth of the chain saw are easily broken. However, by applying the material separation method of the present invention to the bumper waste, the physical strength of the FRP can be reduced and the bumper waste can be easily cut. The same effect can be obtained when the treatment object is an automobile tire (with wire).
As described above, when the temperature of the superheated steam is increased gradually or stepwise when the base material is a thermosetting plastic, a plurality of components can be separated and recovered from the thermosetting plastic.

  The fourth example is a case where the processing object is a used agricultural sheet. Agricultural sheets are often made of thermoplastics, but soil and mud are attached to used agricultural sheets, making them difficult to recycle. However, when the method for separating a substance of the present invention is applied to a used agricultural sheet, the agricultural sheet is pyrolyzed and gasified by the action of superheated steam and can be separated from soil and mud. As a result, oil can be easily recovered from the agricultural sheet. According to the method for separating a substance of the present invention, it is not necessary to remove soil and mud from a used agricultural sheet in advance.

  The fifth example is a case where the processing object is waste oil. For example, waste oil from a ship is a high-viscosity oil in which sludge is mixed with waste oil from engine oil, light oil, heavy oil, or the like. Conventionally, when performing waste oil treatment on ships, centrifugal separation was performed in advance to remove solids such as sludge.However, if the method for separating substances of the present invention is applied to waste oil, the oil content is reduced by the action of superheated steam. It is possible to recover pyrolyzed gasified and lightened clear recycled oil. At this time, waste oil derived from C heavy oil can be regenerated to A heavy oil equivalent. Furthermore, by using superheated steam, carbon generation during processing is suppressed, and separation can be easily performed.

It is sectional drawing showing the internal structure of the substance separation apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view showing the dehalogenation apparatus etc. with which the substance separation apparatus of FIG. 1 is further provided. It is a perspective view which represents typically the structure of a superheated steam introduction part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Material separation apparatus 2 Containment tank 3 Superheated steam generator (superheated steam generation means)
12 Internal monitoring port (view window)
27 Dehalogenation device 35 Burner (container heating means)
56 Superheated steam introduction piping

Claims (18)

  The first substance is converted to gas by contacting the superheated steam with a mixture or composite material containing a first substance that converts to gas upon contact with superheated steam and a second substance that does not convert to gas upon contact with superheated steam. And separating the first substance and the second substance.   The method for separating a substance according to claim 1, wherein the first substance is a thermoplastic, a thermosetting plastic, a synthetic rubber, or an oil.   The method for separating a substance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second substance is a metal, a metal oxide, or an inorganic substance.   The method for separating a substance according to claim 1, wherein the mixture is waste oil.   2. The method for separating a substance according to claim 1, wherein the composite material contains a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber as the first substance and a metal as the second substance.   6. The method for separating a substance according to claim 5, wherein the composite material is an electric wire in which a coating made of a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber is provided on the surface of the metal wire.   The superheated steam has a temperature in the range of 150 ° C to 1000 ° C and is manufactured under a pressure of 1.0 MPa or less, according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Method for separating substances.   The method for separating a substance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is increased gradually or stepwise over time.   The superheated steam is brought into contact with the mixture or the composite material by introducing a predetermined amount of superheated steam into the interior of the storage tank after the mixture or composite material is stored in the storage tank. The method for separating a substance according to any one of the above.   The method for separating a substance according to claim 9, wherein superheated steam is introduced into the storage tank and the storage tank is further heated from the outside.   A pre-treatment step of storing a plastic that does not generate corrosive substances by heating in a storage tank, and then introducing a predetermined amount of superheated steam into the storage tank to liquefy the plastic and form an oil film on the inner wall of the storage tank. The method for separating a substance according to claim 9 or 10, which is performed before the mixture or the composite material is stored in the storage tank.   An apparatus for use in the method for separating a substance according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a storage tank for storing a mixture or a composite material, and superheated steam generation means for generating superheated steam, The substance separating apparatus characterized in that the superheated steam generated from the superheated steam generating means can be introduced into the storage tank.   It further comprises a superheated steam introduction pipe for connecting the superheated steam generation means and the inside of the storage tank, and the superheated steam can be introduced into the storage tank from the superheated steam generation means through the superheated steam introduction pipe. The substance separation device according to claim 12.   The substance separation device according to claim 13, comprising a plurality of superheated steam introduction pipes, wherein the superheated steam can be introduced into the storage tank from a plurality of locations.   The substance separation device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising a storage tank heating means for heating the storage tank from the outside.   The substance separation apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a dehalogenation apparatus, wherein a gas generated by conversion of the first substance into a gas can be dehalogenated.   The substance separation device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the storage tank is provided with a viewing window for monitoring the inside of the storage tank.   18. The substance separation device according to claim 12, wherein the inner wall of the storage tank is provided with a ceramic coating.

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