JP2011005429A - Automatic sorting apparatus and method for manufacturing material - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic sorting apparatus that properly sorts objects to be sorted (workpieces), by eliminating deviation of content level of specific elements in the powdery or granular workpieces, and thereby eliminating discrepancy between the measurement result of the content level of specific elements in a measuring place for the workpieces and the content level of the specific elements of the entire workpieces.SOLUTION: The automatic sorting apparatus includes: a hopper 2 for storing powdery or granular workpieces S to be sorted; a screw type stirring machine 3 for mixing the workpieces S stored in the hopper 2; a belt conveyor 4 for transporting the workpieces S mixed by the screw type stirring machine 3; a fluorescent X-ray measuring part 6 that irradiates the workpieces S transported by the belt conveyor 4 with X-rays and to measure the fluorescent X-rays generated by the irradiation; a determination part 7 that determines the content level of the specific elements contained in the workpieces S from the measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray measuring part 6; and a sorting part 9 for sorting the workpieces S of the belt conveyor 4 in accordance with the determination result of the determination part 7.

Description

  The present invention relates to sorting of sorting objects such as raw materials, products, and wastes, and relates to an automatic sorting apparatus and a material manufacturing method for sorting sorting objects according to the content level of a specific element.

In recent years, a decrease in the remaining capacity of final disposal sites due to a stable supply of resources and an increase in the amount of waste generated has become a problem. For this reason, there is a need to reduce resource consumption and reduce environmental impacts by efficiently using raw materials and promoting recycling of waste.
However, specific elements contained in raw materials, wastes, and the like are particularly problematic when efficiently using raw materials and appropriately promoting waste recycling. Currently, there are regulations for specific elemental components contained in raw materials and wastes, and it is required to use those that have cleared this regulation value. It is required to ship products with quality control.
For example, in the cement manufacturing field, various wastes such as incineration ash and contaminated soil are mixed as cement raw materials to promote recycling. Therefore, the content level of specific elements in these various wastes is measured in advance. However, it is required to select and use a safe material suitable for mixing.

  As an apparatus for appropriately sorting raw materials and wastes, for example, the inclusion of a specific element by fluorescent X-ray analysis is disclosed in Patent Document 1 while always moving a waste circuit board to be sorted at a constant speed. There is known an apparatus that detects the presence or absence of wastewater and sorts waste according to the detection result.

JP 2002-310952 A

  By the way, when the selection target is powdery or granular, the content level of the specific element may be biased in the powdery or granular selection target. In such a state, when the content level of a specific element is measured at a certain measurement location with respect to the selection target object, the measurement result may deviate from the total content level of the specific element of the selection target object. As a result, there is a variation in the determination accuracy of the content level of the specific element of the selection target, and as a result, there is a problem that the selection target is not properly selected.

  The present invention proposes to solve the above-mentioned problem, eliminates the unevenness of the content level of the specific element in the powdery or granular sorting object, and the specific element at the measurement location in the sorting object. By eliminating the discrepancy between the measurement result of the content level and the content level of the specific element in the entire selection object, the determination of the content level of the specific element can be performed accurately and stably, and the selection object can be appropriately selected. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sorting device and a method for manufacturing materials.

The automatic sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores powdery or granular sorting objects, a mixing unit that mixes the sorting objects stored in the storing unit, and the sorting that is mixed in the mixing unit. A transport unit that transports an object, a fluorescent X-ray measurement unit that irradiates the selection target transported by the transport unit with X-rays and measures X-ray fluorescence generated by the irradiation, and the fluorescent X-ray measurement A determination unit that determines the content level of the specific element contained in the selection target from the measurement result of the unit, and a selection unit that selects the selection target of the transport unit according to the determination result of the determination unit It is characterized by that.
In the said structure, the bias | inclination of the specific element content level which exists in the powdery or granular selection target object can be eliminated by mixing a selection target object before performing fluorescent X-ray measurement. Therefore, the content level of the specific element at the location where the selection object is measured and the content level of the specific element in the entire selection object do not deviate in the measurement result, and therefore the selection object can be appropriately selected. it can.

Moreover, the automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the mixing section is a screw type agitator, a horizontal blade rotation type agitator, or a horizontal biaxial agitator.
In the above configuration, it is possible to mix the powdery or granular sorting objects so as to surely average them, and it is possible to eliminate the unevenness of the content level of the specific element in the sorting objects.

Further, the automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention is configured such that the surface of the sorting object transported by the transport unit is disposed at a position between the storage unit and the measurement site by the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit in the transport path by the transport unit. It is characterized by comprising a smoothing unit for smoothing.
In the above configuration, the surface of the selection object can be smoothed, and the measurement error of the fluorescent X-ray and the determination error of the content level of the specific element can be reduced.

Further, the automatic sorting apparatus of the present invention comprises a roller that rolls and smoothes the smoothing portion while pressing the surface of the sorting object, or a convex portion formed on the surface of the sorting object. And at least one of a scraper for smoothing and a compaction plate of a compactor for pressing and smoothing the surface of the selection object.
In the above-described configuration, the surface of the selection object can be reliably smoothed, and the measurement error of the fluorescent X-ray and the determination error of the content level of the specific element can be reduced.

In addition, the automatic sorting device of the present invention includes a classification unit that classifies the powdery or granular sorting target before storing the sorting target in the storage unit, and the classification unit determines a predetermined target from the sorting target. It classifies | sorts the selection target object below a particle size, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
In the above-described configuration, when the objects to be sorted have a large particle size or the like, the sorting object is made to have a predetermined particle diameter before measuring the fluorescence X-rays, so that the fluorescence X-ray can be measured with higher accuracy. As a result, the determination result of the content level of a specific element can be obtained, and by aligning the selection object to a predetermined particle size before mixing, the selection object can be made more uniform by mixing and specified in the selection object The unevenness of the element content level can be more reliably eliminated. The predetermined particle size is preferably set to 1 mm or less, for example, and an appropriate one can be used for the classifying portion. For example, a vibrating sieve is preferable.

Moreover, the manufacturing method of the material of the present invention includes a step of storing a powdery or granular sorting object, a step of mixing the stored sorting object, a step of conveying the mixed sorting object, The step of irradiating the transported sorting object with X-rays, measuring the fluorescent X-rays generated by the irradiation, and determining the content level of the specific element contained in the sorting object from the measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit And a step of acquiring the selection object of the transport unit as a material when the content level of the specific element satisfies a predetermined standard based on a determination result of the determination unit.
In the said structure, the bias | inclination of the content level of the specific element in a powdery or granular selection target object can be eliminated by mixing the selection target object before fluorescent X-ray measurement. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the difference between the content level of the specific element at the measurement location in the selection target object and the content level of the specific element in the entire selection target object, and appropriately select the selection target object.

  The automatic sorting apparatus or material manufacturing method of the present invention eliminates a bias in the content level of a specific element in a powdery or granular sorting object, and the content level of the specific element and the sorting object in the measurement location of the sorting object. Deviation from the content level of the specific element in the entire object can be eliminated, and the object to be selected can be appropriately selected.

Side explanatory drawing which shows the automatic sorting apparatus of embodiment of this invention.

[Automatic sorting apparatus of embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view showing an automatic sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The automatic sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment sorts powdery or granular sorting objects S such as raw materials, products, wastes, etc., and as shown in FIG. A vibrating sieve 1 corresponding to the classification unit to be charged, a hopper 2 corresponding to the storage unit, a screw type agitator 3 corresponding to the mixing unit provided in the hopper 2, and a belt conveyor 4 corresponding to the conveying unit A roller 5 corresponding to a smoothing unit, a fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and a storage unit such as a hard disk or a memory for storing a predetermined control program and the like. Further, the apparatus includes a determination unit 7 for determining a content level such as a content concentration of a specific element of the selection target S from a measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6, an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, a predetermined control program, and the like. The determination unit 7 includes a storage unit such as a hard disk or a memory for storing, and is provided on the downstream side of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 in the conveyance path by the belt conveyor 4 and the control unit 8 to be described later. And a sorting unit 9 that sorts the sorting object S according to the above.

  The specific element in the present invention is an element that generates fluorescent X-rays by X-ray irradiation. For example, heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, and platinum, nickel, cobalt, Examples include ore components such as manganese. Further, the content level of the specific element is appropriate depending on the amount, the rate, or the level set independently. In addition, the operation of each unit to be described later can be appropriately controlled as necessary by the determination unit 7 or the control unit 8 or a control unit that is a concept including these.

  The vibration sieve 1 separates and removes the coarse particles Sr exceeding the predetermined particle size from the selection object S containing the specific element before storing the selection object S in the hopper 2, and the selection object S having a predetermined particle size or less. It classifies into (fine grain Sm). The vibrating sieve 1 is provided by supporting a plurality of bars 1a arranged side by side on the hopper 2, and by adjusting the interval between the bars 1a and 1a serving as a sieve, the particle size in the selection object S exceeds 1 mm. Coarse particles Sr exceeding a predetermined particle size are kept on the bar 1a so as not to fall on the hopper 2, and only a selection object S (fine particles Sm) having a particle size of 1 mm or less, such as a particle size of 1 mm or less, can be charged into the hopper 2. It has become. Furthermore, the vibration sieve 1 in the present embodiment is provided with a vibro motor not shown in the figure, and the vibration sieve 1 is vibrated by the vibro motor so that the selection object S having a predetermined particle size or less passes between the bars 1a and 1a. It is the structure which can make it easy to do. Further, when discharging the coarse grain Sr retained on the bar 1a, the bar 1a is inclined and supported so as to be discharged to the transport path to the process for performing the process corresponding to the coarse grain Sr. It has become.

  The hopper 2 removes the coarse Sr content with the vibrating sieve 1, temporarily stores a selection object S (fine grain Sm) having a predetermined particle size or less that is introduced through the vibrating sieve 1, and is placed below the hopper 2. The selection object S (fine grain Sm) is mixed and stirred by a screw type agitator 3 having spiral screw blades around the installed rotary shaft, and then the selection object S (fine grain Sm) having a predetermined particle size or less. Is stably supplied to the belt conveyor 4. Further, the belt conveyor 4 conveys the selection object S (fine particles Sm) discharged from the hopper 2 by a predetermined amount by a predetermined amount, and conveys the selection object S (fine particles Sm) at a set constant speed. .

  The roller 5 is provided at a location between the hopper 2 and the measurement location of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 in the conveyance path of the sorting object S, that is, upstream of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6, and is conveyed by the belt conveyor 4. The surface of the sorting object S is rotated while being pressed to smooth the surface of the sorting object S, and at the same time, the density or filling degree of at least the upper layer of the sorting object S can be increased. Since the roller 5 needs to obtain sufficient smoothness and filling degree according to the moisture content or properties of the sorting object S and to prevent it from being excessively pressed and adhered on the belt conveyor 4, The pressure applied to the sorting object S can be increased or decreased by a lifting mechanism not shown in the figure.

  A sensor 5a such as a photoelectric sensor is installed on the support part of the roller 5, and a sensor 5a such as a photoelectric sensor is installed on the support part of the roller 5, and the sensor 5a is directly below or near the roller 5. The distance to the sorting object S at the position is measured, and the measured distance is output to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 stores a control program, a distance when there is no sorting object S, and a conveyance time set corresponding to the speed of the belt conveyor 4 in the storage unit, and the arithmetic processing unit In accordance with the control program, the measured distance input from the sensor 5a is compared with the distance when there is no sorting object S, and when the measured distance exceeds the distance when there is no sorting object S, The belt conveyor 4 is continuously stopped for the set conveyance time, and the portion of the selection object S detected by the sensor 5a is positioned directly under or near the fluorescent X-ray measuring unit 6. Further, the sensor 6b of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 described later is controlled to operate.

  In addition, instead of the configuration controlled by the transport time, for example, a sensor that detects the number of rotations of the roller 5 is provided in the roller 5, and the distance is set when the measurement distance exceeds the distance when there is no selection target S. From the point in time, the rotation speed of the roller 5 is measured by the sensor, and the rotation speed is output to the control unit 8. The control unit 8 compares the stored set rotation speed with the measured rotation speed, and the measurement When the rotation speed reaches the set rotation speed, the conveyance of the belt conveyor 4 is stopped, and the portion of the selection object S detected by the sensor 5a is positioned directly below or in the vicinity of the fluorescent X-ray measurement section 6. A configuration for controlling the belt conveyor 4 is also possible.

  The fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 abuts the measurement window 6a on the surface of the sorting object S (fine grain Sm) whose layer is adjusted by the roller 5 on the belt conveyor 4, and the measurement window 6a is moved from the internal X-ray irradiation unit. X-rays are radiated through the X-rays, and the fluorescent X-rays generated by the X-ray irradiation are acquired by an internal fluorescent X-ray measuring unit through the measurement window 6a to measure the fluorescent X-rays. The fluorescent X-ray measuring unit 6 is configured to be moved up and down by a driving unit 6c such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder and moved in a horizontal direction as necessary. The measurement window 6a is brought into contact with the display window, and the measurement window 6a is moved up after completion of the fluorescent X-ray measurement to move away from the selection object S and return from the contact state.

More specifically, the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 is provided with a sensor 6b such as a photoelectric sensor, and the sensor 6b reaches the selection object S immediately below or near the measurement window 6a of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6. Is measured, and the measured distance is output to the control unit 8.
The control unit 8 stores a control program in the storage unit, and the arithmetic processing unit lowers the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 by the measurement distance input from the sensor 6b according to the control program, and selects the measurement window 6a. Abutting on the surface of the object S, the fluorescent X-ray measuring unit 6 is operated. In accordance with the operation command, the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 irradiates the selection target S from the measurement window 6a with X-rays, acquires fluorescent X-rays from the measurement window 6a, acquires measurement values of fluorescent X-rays, and acquires fluorescent X-rays. The measurement value of the line is output to the determination unit 7. Then, along with the completion of the measurement of the fluorescent X-ray, the control unit 8 raises the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 to return it to the original position and operates the belt conveyor 4 to select the selection object S (fine particles Sm). ) To the end of the conveyor direction of the belt conveyor 4.

The cleaning unit 61 removes the selection target S attached to the measurement window 6a by contact between the measurement window 6a of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 and the surface of the selection target S, and cleans the measurement window 6a. is there. The arithmetic processing unit of the control unit 8 operates the cleaning unit 61 according to a control program stored in the storage unit, and stops after completing a predetermined cleaning operation. The cleaning unit 61 is, for example, an air injection unit that ejects compressed air from the injection port to remove the selection target S attached to the measurement window 6a, and a selection target S that is suctioned from the suction port and attached to the measurement window 6a. The suction part that removes water, or the water jet part that ejects water from the injection port to remove the sorting object S adhering to the measurement window 6a, or the sorting object S that adheres to the measurement window 6a is charged with negative static electricity. An electrostatic dust collecting part that collects dust with a positive electrode, or a sweeping part that sweeps the measurement window 6a with a wiper, a brush, etc., and removes the sorting object S attached to the measurement window 6a, or a cloth for the measurement window 6a, It is possible to use a wiping unit for wiping with a sponge or the like to remove the sorting object S attached to the measurement window 6a, or an appropriate combination thereof.
The cleaning unit 61 can always keep the measurement window 6a clean, and can measure fluorescent X-rays and determine the content level of a specific element accurately over a long period of time. The removal of the selection target S by the cleaning unit 61 is performed at an appropriate position before the measurement window 6a is separated from the surface of the selection target S and the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 returns to the original position. Is possible.

The determination unit 7 analyzes the measurement value input from the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 and determines the content level of the specific element in the selection target S. The determination unit 7 stores a control program, a table of content levels of specific elements corresponding to measured values of fluorescent X-rays, and a threshold value of content levels of specific elements corresponding to regulation values and the like in the storage unit, The arithmetic processing unit recognizes the content level of the specific element corresponding to the measurement value input from the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 from the table according to the control program, and compares the recognized content level with the threshold value. If it is less than the threshold value, the sorting unit 9 is controlled so as to make a route for reuse, and if it exceeds the threshold value, the sorting unit 9 is controlled so as to make a route for disposal or purification processing.
Further, the determination unit 7 stores a control program and a threshold value corresponding to the content level of the specific element and corresponding to the regulation value in the storage unit, and the arithmetic processing unit performs fluorescent X-ray measurement according to the control program. The selection unit 9 compares the measured value input from the unit 6 with the threshold value, acquires the comparison result as the determination result of the content level of the specific element, and uses the path for reuse or the like when the value is less than the threshold value. If the threshold value is exceeded, the sorting unit 9 may be controlled so as to use a path for disposal or purification. The determination unit 7 and the control unit 8 may be configured with different hardware or the same hardware.

  The sorting unit 9 sorts the sorting object S according to the control of the judging unit 7 and switches the sorting path of the sorting object S according to the judgment result of the judging unit 7 to sort the sorting target S. The selection unit 9 of the present embodiment is a guide plate that tilts about the horizontal axis and has a variable tilt angle. The guide plate is in contact with the sorting object S discharged from the belt conveyor 4, the inclination angle is changed according to the control of the determination unit 7, and the falling direction of the discharged sorting object S is changed, Sorting objects S are sorted into sorting paths 10 or 11 each constituted by a belt conveyor. The sorting path is appropriate as long as the sorting object S can be conveyed in different directions, and in addition to the two belt conveyors, a forward / reverse belt conveyor, or two or a plurality of movable containers, or the like. It is possible.

  When sorting the sorting object S with the automatic sorting device, first, the powdered or granular sorting object S is put into the vibrating sieve 1, and the vibrating sieve 1 has a coarse particle size exceeding the predetermined particle size from the sorting object S. The particle Sr is separated and removed and classified into a selection object S (fine particle Sm) having a predetermined particle size or less. The classified sorting object S is stored in the hopper 2, mixed and stirred by the screw type agitator 3, and then placed on the belt conveyor 4. The sorting object S is conveyed by the belt conveyor 4 and pressed by the rollers 5 to be smoothed, and the sorting object S is arranged directly below or near the fluorescent X-ray measuring unit 6.

Then, the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6 descends to abut the measurement window 6a on the surface of the selection object S (fine particles Sm), irradiates the X-rays through the measurement window 6a, and is generated by the X-ray irradiation. The fluorescent X-ray is acquired through the measurement window 6a to measure the fluorescent X-ray. The fluorescent X-ray measuring unit 6 rises after the fluorescent X-ray measurement is finished and separates the measuring window 6a from the selection target S from the contact state, and the measuring window 6a is cleaned by the cleaning unit 61.
In addition, the measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray is input to the determination unit 7, and the determination unit 7 determines the content level of the specific element contained in the selection object S from the measurement result, and the content level of the specific element is based on a predetermined standard. When it is satisfied, the sorting unit 9 is controlled so as to be a route for reuse, and when it is not satisfied, the sorting unit 9 is controlled so as to be a route for disposal or purification processing. The sorting object S sorted in the reuse route is used as a material.

The automatic sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment mixes the sorting object S (fine particles Sm) with the screw type stirrer 3 before the fluorescent X-ray measurement, so that the specific elements in the powdery or granular sorting object S are mixed. The unevenness of the content level can be surely eliminated. Therefore, the difference between the measurement result of the content level of the specific element at the measurement location for the selection object S and the content level of the specific element in the entire selection object S can be eliminated, and the selection object S can be appropriately selected. .
Moreover, the surface of the selection object S can be smoothed by the roller 5, and the measurement error of the fluorescent X-rays and the determination error of the content level of the specific element can be further reduced. In addition, the screening object S can be made uniform by aligning the fine particles Sm having a predetermined particle size or less by sieving with the vibrating sieve 1 performed before the mixing and stirring of the selection object S, and in the selection object S. The bias of the content level of the specific element can be eliminated more reliably, and the measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray and the determination result of the content level of the specific element can be obtained with higher accuracy.

[Modifications of Embodiment, etc.]
In addition to the configurations of the inventions and embodiments, the invention disclosed in this specification is specified by changing these partial configurations to other configurations disclosed in the present specification, to the extent applicable. Including those identified by adding other configurations disclosed in the present specification, or by subclassifying these partial configurations to the extent that partial effects can be obtained. These modifications are also included.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the screw type stirrer 3 is adopted as the mixing unit provided in the hopper 2, but the mixing unit in the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a horizontal having a mixing blade in the horizontal direction on the rotating shaft. A wing rotary agitator or a horizontal biaxial agitator that mixes by rotating each of the two winged shafts may be used, and these agitators can also reliably mix and agitate the powdered or granular sorting object S. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the unevenness of the content level of the specific element in the selection object S with certainty.

In addition, the smoothing unit in the present invention may be an appropriate unit that can smooth the surface of the sorting object S in addition to the roller 5 that rolls and smoothes while pressing the surface of the sorting object S of the above embodiment. For example, a scraper that grinds and smoothes the convex portions generated on the surface of the sorting object S, or a rolling machine that presses and smooths the surface of the sorting object S is used. It is possible to use a pressure plate or the like or an appropriate combination thereof.
Further, when a scraper and a roller or a combination of a scraper and a rolling plate are provided, the scraper is provided on the upstream side of the conveying path by the belt conveyor 4 and the roller or the rolling plate is provided on the downstream side of the conveying path. If the surface is smoothed to some extent, and then the surface of the object to be sorted is smoothed with a higher degree of smoothness by using a roller or a rolling plate to increase the smoothness in order, the surface is smoothed more uniformly and more accurate measurement results are obtained. Is preferred.

[Example 1]
The automatic sorting device in FIG. 1 repeatedly determines the content level of the specific element contained in the fly ash that is the powdery sorting object S at the same measurement location or by changing the measurement location, and based on the result. An experiment was conducted to calculate the measurement accuracy of fluorescent X-rays and evaluate the degree. If the content level of specific elements in the fly ash can be accurately determined and the fly ash can be continuously selected, valuable metals such as lead, zinc, and copper can be efficiently recovered from the fly ash. Can contribute to the promotion of recycling.
In the above experiment, first, fly ash was classified by the vibrating sieve 1 and supplied into the hopper 2, stirred by the screw type agitator 3 in the hopper 2, placed on the belt conveyor 4 and transported. Then, after being filled with the roller 5 while being transported, it was transported to just below the measurement window 6a of the fluorescent X-ray measuring unit 6, and measurement with fluorescent X-rays was carried out with the measurement window 6a in close contact with the fly ash. . The specific elements to be measured were lead, zinc and copper. The measurement by fluorescent X-ray was performed for 10 seconds with the measurement window 6a kept in close contact at the same location. After the measurement was completed, the measurement window 6a was washed by the cleaning unit 61 using the air injection unit, and then the fly ash was conveyed for a predetermined distance, and the same measurement as described above was performed again. The said operation was implemented about the fly ash of 10 places in total, and the precision was calculated about each from the content level of each target element measured in each place, and evaluated. The accuracy was calculated with 2σ. As a result, it was confirmed that each element to be measured contained in the fly ash can be measured with an accuracy of about ± 10%.

[Example 2]
Using the automatic sorting apparatus of FIG. 1, sorting tests of fly ash A to E with different content levels of lead, zinc and copper were performed. As for the selection conditions, among the lead, zinc and copper in fly ash, if the content level is below the threshold even with one element, it is classified as a low content level, and if all three elements are above the threshold, it is classified as a high content level. The fly ash A, C was prepared as a low content level fly ash, and the fly ash B, D, E was prepared as a high content level fly ash.
100 kg of fly ash A was introduced into the hopper 2 through the vibrating sieve 1 and stirred with the screw type agitator 3 in the hopper 2 to place the fly ash A on the belt conveyor 4. Then, while being conveyed by the belt conveyor 4, after being filled with the roller 5, the material is conveyed to just below the measurement window 6 a of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit 6, and after stopping, the fluorescence is observed while the measurement window 6 a is in close contact with the fly ash A. X-ray measurement was performed. The fluorescent X-ray measurement was performed in 10 seconds. After the measurement is completed, the measurement window 6a is cleaned by the cleaning unit 61 of the air injection unit, and the fly ash A is conveyed for a predetermined distance so that 10 points of fluorescent X-ray measurement can be performed on 100 kg of fly ash A. Similarly, fluorescent X-ray measurement was performed. The same operation as described above was performed for fly ash B to E. As a result, it was confirmed that all the fly ash A and C were discharged to the low content level side by the sorting unit 9, and all the fly ash B, D, and E were discharged to the high content level side by the sorting unit 9. Therefore, it was confirmed that the content level of valuable metals such as lead, zinc and copper in the fly ash can be surely captured by the automatic sorting device of FIG.

  The present invention can be used when sorting raw materials, products, wastes, and the like according to the content level of a specific element.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vibrating sieve 2 ... Hopper 3 ... Screw type stirrer 4, 10, 11 ... Belt conveyor 5 ... Roller 5a ... Sensor 6 ... X-ray fluorescence measurement part 6a ... Measurement window 6b ... Sensor 6c ... Drive part 61 ... Cleaning part 7 ... Determining unit 8 ... Control unit 9 ... Selection unit 10, 11 ... Sorting path S ... Selection object Sr ... Coarse grain Sm ... Fine grain

Claims (6)

A reservoir for storing powdery or granular sorting objects;
A mixing unit that mixes the selection objects stored in the storage unit;
A transport unit for transporting the selection object mixed in the mixing unit;
A fluorescent X-ray measurement unit that irradiates the selection object conveyed by the conveyance unit with X-rays and measures fluorescent X-rays generated by the irradiation;
A determination unit for determining a content level of a specific element included in the selection object from the measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit;
A sorting unit that sorts the sorting object of the transport unit according to a judgment result of the judging unit;
An automatic sorting apparatus comprising:   2. The automatic sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing unit is a screw type stirrer, a horizontal blade rotary stirrer, or a horizontal biaxial stirrer.   A smoothing unit that smoothes the surface of the selection object conveyed by the conveyance unit is provided at a position between the storage unit and the measurement position by the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit in the conveyance path by the conveyance unit. The automatic sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The smoothing unit,
A roller that rolls and smoothes while pressing the surface of the selection object;
Or a scraper that sharpens and smoothes the convex portions generated on the surface of the selection object,
Or a compaction plate of a compactor that presses and smoothes the surface of the object to be sorted,
The automatic sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the above is used. A classification unit for classifying the powdery or granular sorting object before storing the sorting object in the storage unit;
The automatic sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a sorting object having a predetermined particle size or less is classified from the sorting object by the classification unit and stored in the storage unit. Storing powdered or granular sorting objects;
Mixing the stored sorting objects;
Transporting the mixed sorting object;
Irradiating the conveyed sorting object with X-rays, and measuring fluorescent X-rays generated by the irradiation;
Determining the content level of the specific element contained in the selection object from the measurement result of the fluorescent X-ray measurement unit;
When the content level of the specific element satisfies a predetermined standard according to the determination result of the determination unit, the step of acquiring the selection object of the transport unit as a material;
The manufacturing method of the material characterized by comprising.

Images