WO2003068424A1 - Apparatus and method for removing gaseous compounds from an article - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for removing gaseous compounds from an article Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003068424A1
WO2003068424A1 PCT/GB2003/000525 GB0300525W WO03068424A1 WO 2003068424 A1 WO2003068424 A1 WO 2003068424A1 GB 0300525 W GB0300525 W GB 0300525W WO 03068424 A1 WO03068424 A1 WO 03068424A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gaseous compound
chamber
fragments
fragmenter
gaseous
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2003/000525
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ervan Connell
Original Assignee
Connell Group Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Connell Group Limited filed Critical Connell Group Limited
Priority to AU2003245685A priority Critical patent/AU2003245685A1/en
Publication of WO2003068424A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003068424A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
    • B03B9/00—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets
    • B03B9/06—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for refuse
    • B03B9/061—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for refuse the refuse being industrial
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
    • B09B3/00—Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
    • B09B2101/00—Type of solid waste
    • B09B2101/02—Gases or liquids enclosed in discarded articles, e.g. aerosol cans or cooling systems of refrigerators

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus and methods of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article.
  • ozone-depleting compounds have been of great concern to governments and environmental organisations around the world.
  • many household appliances such as refrigerators and freezers contain substantial quantities of ozone-depleting chemicals in form of chlorofluorocarbon compounds which are utilised to provide the refrigerant effect in the appliance.
  • the ozone -depleting compounds are contained within the appliances, when the useful operational lifetime of the appliance ends, and the appliance must be disposed of, there are difficulties in disposing of the appliances without releasing the ozone depleting compounds into the atmosphere, thereby causing further ozone depletion.
  • the fragmenter includes the filters within the fragmenter casing, and many other components within the casing, the fragmenters must be expertly constructed such that no ozone-depleting compound can escape from the fragmenter. This reduces the operating efficiency of the fragmenter, as power and space is needed in which to mount and operate filters and other components of the fragmenter.
  • the maximum throughput of appliances through the apparatus is generally between 35 to 50 units per hour.
  • a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus comprising a means for fragmenting a gaseous compound-containing article, a means to entrap at least one gaseous compound released from the fragmented article, a chamber enclosing the fragmenting means and a suction means arranged to draw the at least one released gaseous compound from the article through the chamber and into the gaseous compound entrapment means .
  • the suction means may be arranged to create reduced air pressure within the chamber, and therefore substantially prevent released gaseous compounds from leaving the chamber.
  • gaseous compound we mean a compound which is present in its gaseous or vapour state within the article or which volatilises to a gaseous or vapour state in the article or chamber due to reduced air pressure within the article or chamber caused by the suction means of the apparatus, or caused by any other air pressure reduction means which may be employed in the apparatus .
  • gaseous compound suction means is enclosed in the chamber.
  • gaseous compound entrapment means may be enclosed in the chamber.
  • the apparatus comprises means to effect ingress of gas from outside the chamber into the chamber.
  • the gas ingress means comprise suction means within the chamber arranged to draw gas from outside of the chamber through the chamber and to the gaseous compound entrapment means .
  • the gas ingress means comprises the gaseous compound suction means.
  • the gas outside the chamber is air.
  • both of the suction means and entrapment means are enclosed in the chamber, with the fragmenting means, and. thus, the possibility of released gaseous compounds escaping from the chamber is minimised.
  • the chamber is the interior of a room.
  • the fragmentation means comprises at least one fragmenter, arranged in use to fragment the article into a plurality of fragments, thereby releasing gaseous compounds contained, entrained and/or entrapped in the article .
  • the fragmenter may comprise any suitable apparatus such as the fragmenter known as "The Beast”, manufactured by Bandit Industries Inc, Michigan, USA and the Hosokawa fragmenter, manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Limited, Runcorn, UK, for example.
  • the fragmenting means comprises a first fragmenter arranged, in use, to fragment the article into first fragments, and a second fragmenter arranged to further fragment at least a portion of the first fragments into second fragments of smaller dimensions .
  • first and second fragmenters are arranged sequentially in series such that articles are first fragmented in the first fragmenter and the fragments conveyed to the second fragmenter to be further fragmented.
  • the first fragments produced in the first fragmenter are conveyed to the second fragmenter by way of a conveyor belt.
  • the apparatus preferably comprises a separation means, arranged to use to separate out defined first fragments produced in the first fragmenter.
  • the separation means includes means to prevent defined first fragments from being conveyed to the second fragmenter.
  • each separation mean arranged to separate out fragments of a prescribed material .
  • the separation means comprises at least one magnet means, arranged to separate out magnetic fragments, such as steel or iron fragments, for example.
  • the separation means comprises at least one non- ferrous metal extraction means, arranged to separate out non-ferrous metal fragments such as aluminium or copper, for example.
  • the separation means comprises at least one means to separate out rubber fragments.
  • the separation means comprises a magnet means, a non-ferrous metal extraction means and a rubber and plastics separation means.
  • the separation means is operatively connected to a conveyance means, to convey separated out fragments away from the first fragmenter.
  • the conveyance means comprises a conveyer belt .
  • the conveyer belt is operatively associated with a storage means, arranged to store the separated out fragments conveyed by the conveyer means.
  • the storage means comprises a storage drum or container.
  • the separation means are arranged such that only first fragments which still contain at least one gaseous compound are conveyed from the first fragmeter to the second fragmenter.
  • the first fragments conveyed to the second fragmenter substantially comprise plastics fragments, more preferably plastics foam fragments, and most preferably polyurethane fragment .
  • the. second fragmenter is arranged to fragment the first fragments produced in the first fragmenter to second fragments of a powder or granular form.
  • the second fragmenter may be operatively connected to a separation means arranged to separate any entrapped gaseous compound remaining in the powder or granulated second fragments.
  • the separation means may comprise a cyclonic separator arranged to separate one or more fluids from the powder or granular second fragments .
  • the separation means is operatively connected to the chamber of the apparatus.
  • the suction means comprises at least one fan.
  • the suction means comprises a plurality of fans, each fan preferably arranged to draw in air from outside the chamber and released gaseous compounds from substantially defined areas in the chamber.
  • there are two fans and suitably one fan is arranged to draw gaseous compounds from the region around the first fragmenter, and the second fan is arranged to draw gaseous compounds from the region around the second fragmenter.
  • the apparatus may comprise a back-up suction means, which in use is arranged to operate if the primary suction means malfunctions or is inoperable.
  • the gaseous compound entrapment means comprises at least one removable filter.
  • the or each filter is a carbon filter, preferably comprising carbon black or charcoal.
  • one or more filters may be removed when saturated with gaseous compounds, and one or more filters will remain operable to entrap gaseous compounds during continuous running of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus comprises a back-up gaseous compound entrapment means, arranged in use, to operate if the primary gaseous compound entrapment means malfunctions or is inoperable.
  • a method of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article comprising the steps of:
  • the suction means creates reduced air pressure within the chamber such that gaseous compounds released from the article are substantially contained within the chamber and drawn into the gaseous compound entrapment means.
  • the gas outside the chamber is air.
  • the method comprises continuously feeding articles into the fragmenting means.
  • the article is an appliance containing at least one entrapped gaseous compound, preferably at least one entrapped ozone-depleting gaseous compound such as chlorofluorocarbon compound for example .
  • the article is a domestic or industrial refrigeration unit such as a refrigerator or freezer, for example.
  • the article may be any article comprising fragmentable material which contains at least one entrapped, entrained or enclosed gaseous compound.
  • the method further comprises a step (c) of condensing the or each entrapped gaseous compound into the liquid state and subsequently removing the liquid from the entrapment means .
  • a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article using an apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention.
  • a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus 2 comprises a chamber in the form of first room 4 , which is connected via a partition wall 5 to a second room 6.
  • a gaseous compound article conveyor 8 extends from outside the first room 4, into the first room, and into a first fragmenter 10.
  • a second conveyor 12 extends from the first fragmenter 10 to a hopper 20.
  • the magnetic metal conveyor 16 extends from the first room 4, across the partition wall 5, through the second room 6 and outside into a first collection station 19.
  • a third conveyor 18 extends from the conveyor 12, including means to separate out fragments not comprising magnetic metal, into fragments of different sizes, with fragments of a maximum size entering the hopper 20, whereas fragments of a minimum size are deposited on the conveyor 18, which extends through the first room 4, across the partition wall 5 through the second room 6 and out into a second collection station 21.
  • a non-ferrous metal collecting station 17 is situated partway along the third conveyor 18, which is arranged to collect fragments of non-ferrous metal. Extending from the hopper is a fragment conduit 23 which enters a second fragmenting means in the form of a second fragmenter 22, present within the first room 4.
  • a powder conduit 24 extends from the second fragmenter, across the partition wall 5 through the second room 6, out of the second room 6 and into a cyclonic separator 26. Beneath the cyclonic separator are located two collection chambers 30 and 32. Within the first room 4 there is a first suction means in the form of a fan 32. Two suction tubes 38 and 39 extend from the fan 32 towards the first conveyor 8 and second conveyor 12. A gas conduit 40 extends from the first fan 32 through the first room 4 across the partition wall 5 into the second room 6 and through a junction 49 into a first gaseous compound entrapment means in the form of a first filter 50, situated in the second room 6.
  • a second suction means in the form of second fan 34 Situated in the second room 6 is a second suction means in the form of second fan 34, and a back up suction means in the form of back up fan 36.
  • a gas conduit 44 which passes through the junction 49 and into a second filter 52 situated in the second room. The gas conduit 44 may also pass through the first filter 50 or may by-pass the first filter 50 and extend directly into the second filter 52.
  • the back up fan 36 includes a suction conduit 46 which is connected to the junction 49 and extending to the first and second filters 50 and 52.
  • the back up fan 36 is directly connected to the first fan 32 by way of a connecting conduit 37.
  • the back up fan is also directly connected to the second fan 34.
  • the second room 6 also includes a back up filter 54 which is directly connected to the first and second filters 50 and 52, and to the junction 49 through which each of the gas conduits 40, 44, and 46 pass through.
  • the cyclonic separator 26 includes a central portion 28 through which separated air may travel .
  • the central section 28 includes an air conduit 30 which extends into the second room 6 and into the junction 49.
  • the first and second fans 32 and 34 are powered up, which produce suction which draws in air from outside the first and second rooms 4 and 6 via the entry points of conveyors 8, 16 and 18. Thus the fans 32 and 34 create reduced air pressure within the first room 4. The air is drawn into suction tubes 38, 39 and 42.
  • the conveyors 8, 16 and 18 are powered up and gaseous compound containing articles 7 such as fridges and freezers, are loaded onto the conveyor 8 from outside the first room 4 which then travel along the conveyor 8 into the first fragmenter 10. Within the first fragmenter 10, the article 7 are fragmented into fragments of varying material and sizes.
  • the first fragmented material within the first fragmenter 10 is passed onto the conveyor 12, which runs towards the hopper 20.
  • any fragments of magnetic metal such as steel and iron are collected by the magnet 14, and deposited onto the magnetic metal conveyor 16.
  • the magnetic metal conveyor 16 then conveys the magnetic metal fragments through the first room 4, across the partition wall 5, through the second room 6 and out into the first collection area 19.
  • Fragmented material 11 not comprising magnetic metal then passes onto the conveyor 18.
  • Fragments of a maximum size are passed towards the hopper 20. Fragments above the maximum size are conveyed along the conveyor 18, passing over the non magnetic metal collection station 17, where non magnetic metal is collected, and through the second room 6 to the second collecting area 21 outside of the second room 6.
  • the remaining fragments generally comprising small plastics pieces are blown by air jets (not shown) into the hopper 20, aided by suction from the fan 34 and/or the cyclonic separator 26.
  • the fragments remaining in the hopper 20, are deposited in the fragment conduit 23 and passed into the second fragmenter 22 which fragments the first fragmented material into a second fragmented material of smaller dimensions, in the form of powder.
  • the powder is then passed down the powder conduit 24, across the partition wall 5, through the second room 6 and outside the second room 6 into the cyclonic separator 26.
  • the cyclonic separator 26 separates the powder material from any remaining entrapped or entrained gaseous compounds.
  • the powder material drops into the containers 30 and 32 whilst gaseous compounds and ambient air are passed up through the cyclonic centre 28 and into the air conduit 30 which extends back into the second room 6 and joins the junction 49.
  • the first fan 32 sucks air in through the conduits 38 and 39.
  • any gaseous compounds released in the fragmentation of the articles 7 in the first fragmenter 10 will be sucked through the suction tubes 38 and 39 along with air drawn in from outside of the first room 4.
  • the fan then pushes the gaseous compounds and air through the gas conduit 40 towards the junction 49 in the second room 6.
  • the second fan also creates suction through the suction tube 42 which opens out near to the second fragmenter 22.
  • gaseous compounds released during fragmentation of the fragments in the second fragmenter will generally be sucked through the suction tube 42 through the fan 34 and along the gas conduit 44 towards the junction 49 in second room 6.
  • Both the first 32 and second 34 fans are capable of creating enough suction to withdraw all of the gaseous compounds released in the first and second fragmenters 10 and 22, individually.
  • the other of the fans would be able to cope with suction of all the gaseous compounds released from the article 7.
  • the back up fan 36 activates.
  • the back up fan 36 is directly connected to the second fan 34 and indirectly connected to the first fan 32 via the connection conduit 37.
  • the back up fan activates it will draw and gaseous compounds through each of the suction tubes 38, 39, and 42. Air and gaseous compounds sucked into the back up fan 36 pass into the gas conduit 46 and to the junction 49.
  • Each of the first second and back up fans 32, 34 and 36 are connected via junction 49 to a suction tube 48, which allows increased suction in the area around the second fragmenter 22.
  • Gaseous compounds, gas and air passing through the gas conduits 40, 44, 46 and 48 each pass through junction 49, and into the filterbank which includes the first, second and third filters 50, 52 and 54.
  • the gaseous compounds and air passing through the gas conduit 40 from the first fan 32 primarily passes into the first filter 50.
  • the gaseous compounds and gas travelling through the gas conduit 44 primarily passes into the second filter 52.
  • the gaseous compounds and gas travelling through the gas conduit 46 from the third fan 36 can be diverted such that they pass primarily through either the first or second filters 50 and 52.
  • the filters 50, 52 and 54 are all removable. Thus, when a filter is saturated, it may be removed, and the gaseous compounds and gas arriving from the gas conduits 40, 44, 46 and 48 may then be diverted to another of the filters, which then acts as the primary filter.
  • Any gaseous compounds and air coming from the cyclonic centre 28 through the gas conduit 30 will also pass through junction 49 into a desired filter selected from the first, second and third filters 50, 52 and 54.
  • the filter When a filter is saturated, the filter may be removed and cooled to below the boiling point of the gaseous compounds entrapped within the filter, such that the gaseous compounds condense into a liquid, which may then be drained from the filter and the filter reused.
  • the chamber may comprise the first room 4 and second room 6 with the partition wall 5 removed, such that the fragmenting means, suction means and gaseous compound entrapment means are all enclosed within the chamber formed by the combined first and second rooms 4 and 6.
  • This configuration minimises the risk that any gaseous compound escaping from the fragmenters 10 and 22 would leak outside of the first or second rooms 4 and 6 on the way to the filters 50, 52 and 54.
  • the apparatus 2 is primarily used for chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) containing articles such as fridges and freezers, which include polyurethane foam casings in which the CFCs are entrapped.
  • CFC chlorofluorocarbon
  • the fragments 11 passing into the hopper 20, preferably primarily polyurethane fragments, are then powdered in the second fragmenter 22 to release substantially all of the entrapped chlorofluorocarbons . Any remaining chlorofluorocarbons or contaminated air within the powder will be separated out in the cyclonic separator 26 before the powder is deposited in the containers 30 and 32.

Abstract

The invention provides a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus (2) comprising a means (10, 22) for fragmenting a gaseous compound-containing article, a means (50, 52) to entrap at least one gaseous compound released from the fragmented article, a chamber (4) enclosing the fragmenting means and a suction means arranged to draw the at least one released gaseous compound from the article through the chamber and into the gaseous compound entrapment means. The invention further provides a method of entrapment of gaseous compounds released from fragmentation of an article containing the gaseous compound.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING GASEOUS COMPOUNDS FROM AN ARTICLE
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus and methods of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article.
Background to the Invention
In recent years ozone-depleting compounds have been of great concern to governments and environmental organisations around the world. In particular, many household appliances such as refrigerators and freezers contain substantial quantities of ozone-depleting chemicals in form of chlorofluorocarbon compounds which are utilised to provide the refrigerant effect in the appliance. Although the ozone -depleting compounds are contained within the appliances, when the useful operational lifetime of the appliance ends, and the appliance must be disposed of, there are difficulties in disposing of the appliances without releasing the ozone depleting compounds into the atmosphere, thereby causing further ozone depletion.
Attempts have been made to overcome this problem by providing self contained appliance fragmenters in which a household appliance such as a fridge or freezer is loaded into the fragmenter, which fragments the appliance and filters the chlorofluorocarbon content of the appliance within the fragmenter. Although these appliances are adequate for disposing of appliances containing the ozone- depleting compounds, each appliance must be loaded into the fragmenter individually, and the appliance fragmented fully before the next appliance is loaded. This reduces the throughput capacity of appliance disposal through the fragmenter.
Furthermore, as the fragmenter includes the filters within the fragmenter casing, and many other components within the casing, the fragmenters must be expertly constructed such that no ozone-depleting compound can escape from the fragmenter. This reduces the operating efficiency of the fragmenter, as power and space is needed in which to mount and operate filters and other components of the fragmenter.
Thus, in existing appliance fragmenters, the maximum throughput of appliances through the apparatus is generally between 35 to 50 units per hour.
It is therefore an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to overcome or mitigate at least one problem of the prior art, whether expressly disclosed herein or not .
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus comprising a means for fragmenting a gaseous compound-containing article, a means to entrap at least one gaseous compound released from the fragmented article, a chamber enclosing the fragmenting means and a suction means arranged to draw the at least one released gaseous compound from the article through the chamber and into the gaseous compound entrapment means .
Thus the suction means may be arranged to create reduced air pressure within the chamber, and therefore substantially prevent released gaseous compounds from leaving the chamber.
By "gaseous compound" we mean a compound which is present in its gaseous or vapour state within the article or which volatilises to a gaseous or vapour state in the article or chamber due to reduced air pressure within the article or chamber caused by the suction means of the apparatus, or caused by any other air pressure reduction means which may be employed in the apparatus .
Suitably the gaseous compound suction means is enclosed in the chamber. The gaseous compound entrapment means may be enclosed in the chamber.
Suitably the apparatus comprises means to effect ingress of gas from outside the chamber into the chamber. Preferably the gas ingress means comprise suction means within the chamber arranged to draw gas from outside of the chamber through the chamber and to the gaseous compound entrapment means . Most preferably the gas ingress means comprises the gaseous compound suction means. Suitably the gas outside the chamber is air.
In a preferred embodiment, both of the suction means and entrapment means are enclosed in the chamber, with the fragmenting means, and. thus, the possibility of released gaseous compounds escaping from the chamber is minimised. Suitably the chamber is the interior of a room.
Suitably the fragmentation means comprises at least one fragmenter, arranged in use to fragment the article into a plurality of fragments, thereby releasing gaseous compounds contained, entrained and/or entrapped in the article .
The fragmenter may comprise any suitable apparatus such as the fragmenter known as "The Beast", manufactured by Bandit Industries Inc, Michigan, USA and the Hosokawa fragmenter, manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Limited, Runcorn, UK, for example.
Preferably the fragmenting means comprises a first fragmenter arranged, in use, to fragment the article into first fragments, and a second fragmenter arranged to further fragment at least a portion of the first fragments into second fragments of smaller dimensions .
Suitably the first and second fragmenters are arranged sequentially in series such that articles are first fragmented in the first fragmenter and the fragments conveyed to the second fragmenter to be further fragmented.
Suitably the first fragments produced in the first fragmenter are conveyed to the second fragmenter by way of a conveyor belt.
The apparatus preferably comprises a separation means, arranged to use to separate out defined first fragments produced in the first fragmenter. Suitably the separation means includes means to prevent defined first fragments from being conveyed to the second fragmenter.
Suitably there are a plurality of separation means, each separation mean arranged to separate out fragments of a prescribed material .
Preferably the separation means comprises at least one magnet means, arranged to separate out magnetic fragments, such as steel or iron fragments, for example.
Suitably the separation means comprises at least one non- ferrous metal extraction means, arranged to separate out non-ferrous metal fragments such as aluminium or copper, for example. Suitably the separation means comprises at least one means to separate out rubber fragments.
In a preferred embodiment, the separation means comprises a magnet means, a non-ferrous metal extraction means and a rubber and plastics separation means.
Preferably the separation means is operatively connected to a conveyance means, to convey separated out fragments away from the first fragmenter. Preferably the conveyance means comprises a conveyer belt . Suitably the conveyer belt is operatively associated with a storage means, arranged to store the separated out fragments conveyed by the conveyer means. Suitably the storage means comprises a storage drum or container.
Suitably the separation means are arranged such that only first fragments which still contain at least one gaseous compound are conveyed from the first fragmeter to the second fragmenter. Suitably the first fragments conveyed to the second fragmenter substantially comprise plastics fragments, more preferably plastics foam fragments, and most preferably polyurethane fragment .
Suitably the. second fragmenter is arranged to fragment the first fragments produced in the first fragmenter to second fragments of a powder or granular form.
The second fragmenter may be operatively connected to a separation means arranged to separate any entrapped gaseous compound remaining in the powder or granulated second fragments. The separation means may comprise a cyclonic separator arranged to separate one or more fluids from the powder or granular second fragments . Suitably the separation means is operatively connected to the chamber of the apparatus. Thus, any gaseous compounds still remaining in the powdered or granular second fragments may be separated out and entrapped by the gaseous compound entrapment means via the suction means of the apparatus .
Preferably the suction means comprises at least one fan. Suitably, the suction means comprises a plurality of fans, each fan preferably arranged to draw in air from outside the chamber and released gaseous compounds from substantially defined areas in the chamber. Preferably there are two fans, and suitably one fan is arranged to draw gaseous compounds from the region around the first fragmenter, and the second fan is arranged to draw gaseous compounds from the region around the second fragmenter. The apparatus may comprise a back-up suction means, which in use is arranged to operate if the primary suction means malfunctions or is inoperable.
Suitably the gaseous compound entrapment means comprises at least one removable filter. Suitably the or each filter is a carbon filter, preferably comprising carbon black or charcoal. Suitably there are a plurality of filters. Thus, one or more filters may be removed when saturated with gaseous compounds, and one or more filters will remain operable to entrap gaseous compounds during continuous running of the apparatus. Preferably the apparatus comprises a back-up gaseous compound entrapment means, arranged in use, to operate if the primary gaseous compound entrapment means malfunctions or is inoperable.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) fragmenting the article in a fragmenting means enclosed within a chamber; and
(b) applying suction within the chamber to draw the or each gaseous compound released from the fragmented article, and gas from outside the chamber, through the chamber and to a gaseous compound entrapment means .
Suitably the suction means creates reduced air pressure within the chamber such that gaseous compounds released from the article are substantially contained within the chamber and drawn into the gaseous compound entrapment means. Suitably the gas outside the chamber is air. Suitably the method comprises continuously feeding articles into the fragmenting means.
Preferably the article is an appliance containing at least one entrapped gaseous compound, preferably at least one entrapped ozone-depleting gaseous compound such as chlorofluorocarbon compound for example . More preferably the article is a domestic or industrial refrigeration unit such as a refrigerator or freezer, for example. The article may be any article comprising fragmentable material which contains at least one entrapped, entrained or enclosed gaseous compound.
Suitably the method further comprises a step (c) of condensing the or each entrapped gaseous compound into the liquid state and subsequently removing the liquid from the entrapment means .
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article using an apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention.
Brief Description of the Drawing
For a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be put into effect, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1, which illustrates a schematic plan of a preferred embodiment of a gaseous compound entrapment apparatus of the invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiment
A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus 2 comprises a chamber in the form of first room 4 , which is connected via a partition wall 5 to a second room 6. A gaseous compound article conveyor 8 extends from outside the first room 4, into the first room, and into a first fragmenter 10. A second conveyor 12 extends from the first fragmenter 10 to a hopper 20. Along the second conveyor 12 is situated a separating means in the form of a magnet 14, from which extends a magnetic metal conveyor 16. The magnetic metal conveyor 16 extends from the first room 4, across the partition wall 5, through the second room 6 and outside into a first collection station 19. A third conveyor 18 extends from the conveyor 12, including means to separate out fragments not comprising magnetic metal, into fragments of different sizes, with fragments of a maximum size entering the hopper 20, whereas fragments of a minimum size are deposited on the conveyor 18, which extends through the first room 4, across the partition wall 5 through the second room 6 and out into a second collection station 21. A non-ferrous metal collecting station 17 is situated partway along the third conveyor 18, which is arranged to collect fragments of non-ferrous metal. Extending from the hopper is a fragment conduit 23 which enters a second fragmenting means in the form of a second fragmenter 22, present within the first room 4. A powder conduit 24 extends from the second fragmenter, across the partition wall 5 through the second room 6, out of the second room 6 and into a cyclonic separator 26. Beneath the cyclonic separator are located two collection chambers 30 and 32. Within the first room 4 there is a first suction means in the form of a fan 32. Two suction tubes 38 and 39 extend from the fan 32 towards the first conveyor 8 and second conveyor 12. A gas conduit 40 extends from the first fan 32 through the first room 4 across the partition wall 5 into the second room 6 and through a junction 49 into a first gaseous compound entrapment means in the form of a first filter 50, situated in the second room 6.
Situated in the second room 6 is a second suction means in the form of second fan 34, and a back up suction means in the form of back up fan 36. Extending from the second fan 34 through the partition wall 5 and into the first room 4 is a suction tube 42. Also extending from the second fan 34 is a gas conduit 44 which passes through the junction 49 and into a second filter 52 situated in the second room. The gas conduit 44 may also pass through the first filter 50 or may by-pass the first filter 50 and extend directly into the second filter 52.
The back up fan 36 includes a suction conduit 46 which is connected to the junction 49 and extending to the first and second filters 50 and 52. The back up fan 36 is directly connected to the first fan 32 by way of a connecting conduit 37. The back up fan is also directly connected to the second fan 34.
The second room 6 also includes a back up filter 54 which is directly connected to the first and second filters 50 and 52, and to the junction 49 through which each of the gas conduits 40, 44, and 46 pass through. The cyclonic separator 26 includes a central portion 28 through which separated air may travel . The central section 28 includes an air conduit 30 which extends into the second room 6 and into the junction 49.
Use of the gaseous compound entrapment apparatus 2 of the invention will now be described. The first and second fans 32 and 34 are powered up, which produce suction which draws in air from outside the first and second rooms 4 and 6 via the entry points of conveyors 8, 16 and 18. Thus the fans 32 and 34 create reduced air pressure within the first room 4. The air is drawn into suction tubes 38, 39 and 42. The conveyors 8, 16 and 18 are powered up and gaseous compound containing articles 7 such as fridges and freezers, are loaded onto the conveyor 8 from outside the first room 4 which then travel along the conveyor 8 into the first fragmenter 10. Within the first fragmenter 10, the article 7 are fragmented into fragments of varying material and sizes.
The first fragmented material within the first fragmenter 10 is passed onto the conveyor 12, which runs towards the hopper 20. As the first fragmented material 11 passes under the magnet 14, any fragments of magnetic metal such as steel and iron are collected by the magnet 14, and deposited onto the magnetic metal conveyor 16. The magnetic metal conveyor 16 then conveys the magnetic metal fragments through the first room 4, across the partition wall 5, through the second room 6 and out into the first collection area 19. Fragmented material 11 not comprising magnetic metal then passes onto the conveyor 18. Fragments of a maximum size are passed towards the hopper 20. Fragments above the maximum size are conveyed along the conveyor 18, passing over the non magnetic metal collection station 17, where non magnetic metal is collected, and through the second room 6 to the second collecting area 21 outside of the second room 6.
The remaining fragments, generally comprising small plastics pieces are blown by air jets (not shown) into the hopper 20, aided by suction from the fan 34 and/or the cyclonic separator 26.
The fragments remaining in the hopper 20, are deposited in the fragment conduit 23 and passed into the second fragmenter 22 which fragments the first fragmented material into a second fragmented material of smaller dimensions, in the form of powder. The powder is then passed down the powder conduit 24, across the partition wall 5, through the second room 6 and outside the second room 6 into the cyclonic separator 26. The cyclonic separator 26 separates the powder material from any remaining entrapped or entrained gaseous compounds. The powder material drops into the containers 30 and 32 whilst gaseous compounds and ambient air are passed up through the cyclonic centre 28 and into the air conduit 30 which extends back into the second room 6 and joins the junction 49.
Throughout this process, the first fan 32 sucks air in through the conduits 38 and 39. Thus, any gaseous compounds released in the fragmentation of the articles 7 in the first fragmenter 10 will be sucked through the suction tubes 38 and 39 along with air drawn in from outside of the first room 4. The fan then pushes the gaseous compounds and air through the gas conduit 40 towards the junction 49 in the second room 6.
At the same time, the second fan also creates suction through the suction tube 42 which opens out near to the second fragmenter 22. Thus, gaseous compounds released during fragmentation of the fragments in the second fragmenter will generally be sucked through the suction tube 42 through the fan 34 and along the gas conduit 44 towards the junction 49 in second room 6. Both the first 32 and second 34 fans are capable of creating enough suction to withdraw all of the gaseous compounds released in the first and second fragmenters 10 and 22, individually. Thus, if one of the first or second fans 32 and 34 were to fail, the other of the fans would be able to cope with suction of all the gaseous compounds released from the article 7.
However, if both the first and second fans were to fail, the back up fan 36 activates. The back up fan 36 is directly connected to the second fan 34 and indirectly connected to the first fan 32 via the connection conduit 37. Thus, when the back up fan activates it will draw and gaseous compounds through each of the suction tubes 38, 39, and 42. Air and gaseous compounds sucked into the back up fan 36 pass into the gas conduit 46 and to the junction 49.
Each of the first second and back up fans 32, 34 and 36 are connected via junction 49 to a suction tube 48, which allows increased suction in the area around the second fragmenter 22. Gaseous compounds, gas and air passing through the gas conduits 40, 44, 46 and 48 each pass through junction 49, and into the filterbank which includes the first, second and third filters 50, 52 and 54. The gaseous compounds and air passing through the gas conduit 40 from the first fan 32 primarily passes into the first filter 50. The gaseous compounds and gas travelling through the gas conduit 44, primarily passes into the second filter 52. The gaseous compounds and gas travelling through the gas conduit 46 from the third fan 36 can be diverted such that they pass primarily through either the first or second filters 50 and 52. The filters 50, 52 and 54 are all removable. Thus, when a filter is saturated, it may be removed, and the gaseous compounds and gas arriving from the gas conduits 40, 44, 46 and 48 may then be diverted to another of the filters, which then acts as the primary filter.
Any gaseous compounds and air coming from the cyclonic centre 28 through the gas conduit 30 will also pass through junction 49 into a desired filter selected from the first, second and third filters 50, 52 and 54.
When a filter is saturated, the filter may be removed and cooled to below the boiling point of the gaseous compounds entrapped within the filter, such that the gaseous compounds condense into a liquid, which may then be drained from the filter and the filter reused.
In an alternative embodiment of the gaseous compound entrapment apparatus 2 of the invention, the chamber may comprise the first room 4 and second room 6 with the partition wall 5 removed, such that the fragmenting means, suction means and gaseous compound entrapment means are all enclosed within the chamber formed by the combined first and second rooms 4 and 6. This configuration minimises the risk that any gaseous compound escaping from the fragmenters 10 and 22 would leak outside of the first or second rooms 4 and 6 on the way to the filters 50, 52 and 54.
The apparatus 2 is primarily used for chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) containing articles such as fridges and freezers, which include polyurethane foam casings in which the CFCs are entrapped. Thus, when the polyurethane foam casings are fragmented, the CFCs will be released from the casings, and removed by the fans 32, 34 and 36. The fragments 11 passing into the hopper 20, preferably primarily polyurethane fragments, are then powdered in the second fragmenter 22 to release substantially all of the entrapped chlorofluorocarbons . Any remaining chlorofluorocarbons or contaminated air within the powder will be separated out in the cyclonic separator 26 before the powder is deposited in the containers 30 and 32.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar .features .
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus comprising a means for fragmenting a gaseous compound-containing article, a means to entrap at least one gaseous compound released from the fragmented article, a chamber enclosing the fragmenting means and a suction means arranged to draw the at least one released gaseous compound from the article through the chamber and into the gaseous compound entrapment means.
2. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the suction means is arranged to create reduced air pressure within the chamber, and therefore substantially prevent released gaseous compounds from leaving the chamber.
3. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein the gaseous compound suction means is enclosed in the chamber.
4. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the gaseous compound entrapment means is enclosed in the chamber.
5. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising means to effect ingress of gas from outside the chamber into the chamber.
6. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the gas ingress means comprises suction means within the chamber arranged to draw gas from outside of the chamber through the chamber and to the gaseous compound entrapment means .
7. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the gas ingress means comprises the gaseous compound suction means.
8. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein both of the suction means and entrapment means are enclosed in the chamber, with the fragmenting means.
9. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the chamber is the interior of a room.
10. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the fragmentation means comprises at least one fragmenter, arranged in use to fragment the article into a plurality of fragments, thereby releasing gaseous compounds contained, entrained and/or entrapped in the article.
11. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the fragmenting means comprises a first fragmenter arranged, in use, to fragment the article into first fragments, and a second fragmenter arranged to further fragment at least a portion of the first fragments into second fragments of smaller dimensions.
12. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first and second fragmenters are arranged sequentially in series such that articles are first fragmented in the first fragmenter and the fragments conveyed to the second fragmenter to be further fragmented.
13. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 11 or 12 wherein the first fragments produced in the first fragmenter are conveyed to the second fragmenter by way of a conveyor belt.
14. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 comprises a separation means, arranged to use to separate out defined first fragments produced in the first fragmenter.
15. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the separation means includes means to prevent defined first fragments from being conveyed to the second fragmenter.
16. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or 15 there are a plurality of separation means, each separation mean arranged to separate out fragments of a prescribed material.
17. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the separation means comprises at least one magnet means, arranged to separate out magnetic fragments, such as steel or iron fragments.
18. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the separation means comprises at least one non-ferrous metal extraction means, arranged to separate out non-ferrous metal fragments.
19. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein the separation means is operatively connected to a conveyance means, to convey separated out fragments away from the first fragmenter.
20. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein the separation means is arranged such that only first fragments which still contain at least one gaseous compound are conveyed from the first fragmeter to the second fragmenter.
21. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein the first fragments conveyed to the second fragmenter substantially comprise plastics fragments .
22. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 21 wherein the second fragmenter is arranged to fragment the first fragments produced in the first fragmenter to second fragments of a powder or granular form.
23. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the second fragmenter is operatively connected to a separation means arranged to separate any entrapped gaseous compound remaining in the powder or granulated second fragments .
24. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the separation means comprises a cyclonic separator arranged to separate one or more fluids from the powder or granular second fragments .
25. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the separation means is operatively connected to the chamber of the apparatus.
26. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the suction means comprises at least one fan.
27. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the suction means comprises a plurality of fans, each fan arranged to draw in air from outside the chamber and release gaseous compounds from substantially defined areas within the chamber.
28. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein there are two fans, and one fan is arranged to draw gaseous compounds from the region around the first fragmenter, and the second fan is arranged to draw gaseous compounds from the region around the second fragmenter.
29. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein comprising a back-up suction means, which in use is arranged to operate if the primary suction means malfunctions or is inoperable.
30. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gaseous compound entrapment means comprises at least one' removable filter.
31. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 30 wherein the or each filter is a carbon filter.
32 A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in claim 30 or 31 wherein there are a plurality of filters .
33. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus comprises a back-up gaseous compound entrapment means, arranged in use, to operate if the primary gaseous compound entrapment means malfunctions or is inoperable.
34. A method of removing at least one gaseous compound from an article, the method comprising the steps of: (a) fragmenting the article in a fragmenting means enclosed within a chamber; and (b) applying suction within the chamber to draw the or each gaseous compound released from the fragmented article, and gas from outside the chamber, through the chamber and to a gaseous compound entrapment means .
35. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the suction means creates reduced air pressure within the chamber such that gaseous compounds released from the article are substantially contained within the chamber and drawn into the gaseous compound entrapment means .
36. A method as claimed in claim 34 or 35 wherein the method comprises continuously feeding articles into the fragmenting means.
37. A method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 36 wherein the article is an appliance containing at least one entrapped gaseous compound.
38. A method as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 37 further comprising a step (c) of condensing the or each entrapped gaseous compound into the liquid state and subsequently removing the liquid from the entrapment means .
39. A method of removing at least one gaseous compound as claimed in any one of claims 34 to 38 from an article using an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33.
40. A gaseous compound entrapment apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
'41. A method substantially as described in reference to the accompanying drawing.
PCT/GB2003/000525 2002-02-15 2003-02-07 Apparatus and method for removing gaseous compounds from an article WO2003068424A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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AU2003245685A AU2003245685A1 (en) 2002-02-15 2003-02-07 Apparatus and method for removing gaseous compounds from an article

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0203578.0A GB0203578D0 (en) 2002-02-15 2002-02-15 Improvements in and relating to gaseous compound entrapment
GB0203578.0 2002-02-15

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0397971A2 (en) * 1989-02-23 1990-11-22 Tönsmeier Entsorgung GmbH Method and plant for the non-pollutant recycling of refrigerators with foam parts, containing fluorocarbons, in particular polyurethane
EP0442113A2 (en) * 1990-02-13 1991-08-21 APU GmbH, GESELLSCHAFT FÜR ANALYTIK UND PLANUNG VON UMWELTTECHNOLOGIE Method and plant for the disposal of refrigerators
US5301881A (en) * 1991-12-02 1994-04-12 Hitachi, Ltd. System for disposing waste
EP0606891A1 (en) * 1993-01-14 1994-07-20 Gert Pohl Process and device for the comminution of discarded appliances comprising hard foam or hard plastic
EP0956910A1 (en) * 1998-04-15 1999-11-17 Gary Taylor An installation for recovering gases which damage the environment

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0397971A2 (en) * 1989-02-23 1990-11-22 Tönsmeier Entsorgung GmbH Method and plant for the non-pollutant recycling of refrigerators with foam parts, containing fluorocarbons, in particular polyurethane
EP0442113A2 (en) * 1990-02-13 1991-08-21 APU GmbH, GESELLSCHAFT FÜR ANALYTIK UND PLANUNG VON UMWELTTECHNOLOGIE Method and plant for the disposal of refrigerators
US5301881A (en) * 1991-12-02 1994-04-12 Hitachi, Ltd. System for disposing waste
EP0606891A1 (en) * 1993-01-14 1994-07-20 Gert Pohl Process and device for the comminution of discarded appliances comprising hard foam or hard plastic
EP0956910A1 (en) * 1998-04-15 1999-11-17 Gary Taylor An installation for recovering gases which damage the environment

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GB0203578D0 (en) 2002-04-03
AU2003245685A1 (en) 2003-09-04

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