Separation process for carpets

US7152742B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Zimmer, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Roland Donaj · Biebertal, DE
• Wolfgang Dilly-Louis · Friedberg, DE
• Rudolf Kampf · Ortenburg, DE
• Norman Schnittker · Niederrodenbach, DE
• Reinhard Wolf · Isny im Allgäu, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 10, 2002
• Grant date: Dec 26, 2006
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02W30/66
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Comminuted carpet pieces are fed to a first stirred tank together with an aqueous solution containing separating salt, to form a first suspension, which is fed to a first mechanical separating stage. A first high-solids phase, a second high-solids phase containing polymer fiber material, and a liquid phase are obtained therefrom. The second high-solids phase is mixed with a water-containing separation solution in a stirred tank, to give a second suspension, which is fed to a second mechanical separating stage. A third high-solids phase, a polymer fiber material-rich phase and a liquid phase are withdrawn therefrom. An acid which is stronger than H2CO3 is introduced into the stirred tank together with the water-containing separation solution, and the pH of the liquid in the stirred tank is adjusted to 2–6.