WO2003103840A1

WO2003103840A1 - Water jet waste reduction apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2003103840A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/018179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Hesse
Original assignee: THI International Inc
Current assignee: THI International Inc
Priority date: 2002-06-07
Filing date: 2003-06-09
Publication date: 2003-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2004-12-07

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing solid refuse includes a holding bin (10), a conveying means, and at least one nozzle (50). The holding bin includes a bottom and a first and second sidewall. The conveying means is located within the holding bin. The at least one nozzle is located within the holding bin and is capable of emitting a high pressure stream of liquid to reduce the solid waste materials.

Description

WATER JET WASTE REDUCTION APPARATUS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application serial number 60/386448, filed June 7, 2002, entitled "Hydrojet Recycling Machine".

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates to apparatuses for solid waste reduction, and more particularly to the use of high pressure streams of liquid in such apparatuses to reduce solid waste materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Due to the vast amount of solid waste generated daily, especially in large metropolitan areas, the management of such waste has become of crucial importance. Common practice is to dump solid waste into landfills. Due to the volume of waste materials being dumped, landfill capacity is quickly diminishing and available landfill sites are being exhausted. Several efforts to reduce waste volume before dumping have thus been made in an attempt to curb this escalating problem.

[0004] Currently, various types of crushing equipment are employed to reduce the size or volume of waste materials. For example, rollers, hammer mills, and shredders have been employed to crush or shred the waste. However, these types of equipment often lack efficiency and efficacy and also create issues with respect to unshreddable items and safety concerns.

[0005] An improved apparatus for reducing solid waste is desired. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to another aspect, an apparatus for reducing solid refuse comprises a holding bin, a conveying means, and at least one nozzle. The holding bin includes a bottom and a first and second sidewall. The conveying means is located within the holding bin. The at least one nozzle is located within the holding bin for emitting a high pressure stream of liquid to reduce the solid waste materials.

[0007] The apparatus will reduce the volume of waste or bulk materials processed by the apparatus, resulting in conservation of landfill space and an expansion in the amount of time a landfill can operate prior to becoming filled. The apparatus may also advantageously reduce bulk materials at a transfer station so as to allow for the loading of more waste materials onto trucks for transport to an end location. The apparatus can also be used on a demolition project for filling hauling trucks with a maximum amount of materials. The apparatus can be used to cut or process, for example, residential and commercial solid waste materials, whole trees and wood debris, rubber, solid mixed waste, concrete and asphalt, demolition debris, old furniture and scrap metal.

[0008] According to a further aspect, an apparatus for retrieving and transporting solid refuse comprises a transportation vehicle having a holding bin, and at least one nozzle. The holding bin includes an inside surface. The nozzles are capable of emitting a high pressure stream of liquid and are located proximate the inside surface of the holding bin. [0009] According to one aspect, an apparatus for reducing solid refuse comprises a holding bin having a compacting means and at least one nozzle for emitting a high pressure stream of liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIGURE 1 is a cross sectional side view of an exemplary apparatus for reducing solid waste materials according to one aspect;

[0011] FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional top view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

[0012] FIGURE 3A is a front elevational view of a bar having a plurality of nozzles;

[0013] FIGURE 3B is a front elevational view of a cover plate for covering a plurality of nozzles;

[0014] FIGURE 3C is a cross sectional end view of a nozzle and cover plate;

[0015] FIGURE 4 is a front view of an apparatus for reducing solid waste materials according to another aspect;

[0016] FIGURE 5 is a back view of an apparatus for reducing solid waste materials according to a further aspect;

[0017] FIGURE 6 is an isometric view of an exemplary transportation vehicle according to one aspect; and

[0018] FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional end view of a holding bin of the transportation vehicle of FIGURE 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] This application hereby incorporates by reference the entire disclosure in U.S. provisional application serial number 60/386448, filed June 1, 2002, entitled "Hydrojet Recycling Machine".

[0020] This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal," "vertical,", "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary apparatus 100 for reducing solid waste is shown comprising a holding bin 10, a conveying means 30, and at least one nozzle 50 for emitting a high pressure stream of liquid (e.g., a water jet or hydrojet). The holding bin 10 preferably includes a top 12, a bottom 14, and a first and second sidewall 18, 20. The size of the holding bin 10, including the height, width and length may vary depending on the amount of waste needed to be reduced. As shown if FIG. 2, preferably the holding bin is wider at a front end 22 to allow for the unloading of solid waste materials by a plurality of refuse vehicles 90 simultaneously. The sidewalls 18, 20 may include an angled portion 26 to aid in funneling the solid waste materials towards a central portion of the holding bin 10.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, the holding bin 10 of apparatus 100 may be equipped with one or more blast doors 28. The blast door 28 may be located at the front 22 and/or back 24 of the holding bin 10. The blast door 28 may protect workers from, for example, combustible waste products such as aerosol cans, propane tanks or other pressurized containers. Preferably the blast door 28 or doors are hinged to allow for opening and closing of the door and thus the entry and/or removal of the waste materials from the holding bin 10. The holding bin 10 also preferably includes removable blast stoppers 29 located outside of the blast door to keep the door from swinging out in the event of an explosion.

[0023] The conveying means 30 preferably comprises one or more conveyor belts 30a-e, but may include any other means known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as rollers, for example. Preferably the conveying means 30 is located towards a bottom 32 of the holding bin 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of conveyor belts 30a-e are located in side-by-side relation proximate to the bottom of the holding bin 10 and are utilized to advance the solid waste materials from a front 22 towards a back 24 of the holding bin 10. Preferably, conveying means 30 also includes at least one peripheral belt 32a-d to aid in funneling the solid waste materials onto the centrally located conveyor belts 30a-e where they can be conveyed towards the back 24 of the holding bin 10. These peripheral belts 32a-d may operate either parallel to the centrally located conveyor belts 30a-e or may operate perpendicular to the centrally located conveyor belts 30a-e. The use of peripheral belts operating perpendicular to the centrally located belts 30a-e aids in funneling the solid waste into the center of the holding bin 10. Secondary advancing means (not shown) may also be included in the holding bin 10 including, for example, steel drums with non-tangling teeth attached to the top and/or side walls of the enclosure for pulling the solid waste material into the holding bin. Preferably the secondary advancing means is synchronized to match the speed of the conveying means 30.

[0024] At least one nozzle 50 is attached proximate to one or more of the top 12 and first 18 and second 20 side walls of the holding bin 10. Preferably, a plurality of nozzles are connected to the top 12 and both of the first 18 and second 20 sidewalls of the holding bin 10. Referring to FIGS. 3A-C, the plurality of nozzles 50 on the top 12 and sidewalls 18, 20 are fastened to a bar or manifold 52 which is itself attached to top 12 and sidewalls 18, 20 of the holding bin 10. The nozzles, and/or manifold 52 containing the nozzles 50, maybe located at any position along the top 12 and/or sidewalls 18, 20. Also, the nozzles 50 maybe stationary or movable side to side or front to back (such as on a track). The nozzles 50 may also or alternatively be pivotable on one or more axis of rotation. As shown in FIGS. 3B-C, the nozzles 50 may be protected from the moving solid waste materials by a cover plate 54.

[0025] The nozzles 50 are fluidly attached to pumping mechanism (not shown) for supplying a high pressure stream of liquid to and out of the nozzles 50. The technology for application of high pressure water, and the nozzles and delivery mechanisms therefore, are well lαiown for applications such as pressurized water cleaning and water-jet cutting. Such known nozzles and mechanisms may be used in apparatus 100. Although water alone may be employed as the cutting vehicle, an abrasive may also be added to the liquid to enhance the cutting ability, especially where the solid waste includes materials, such as metal or concrete, which are more difficult to cut. The liquid pressure flowing through the nozzles is preferably adjustable to allow the apparatus to be effectively and efficiently employed with various types of waste materials.

[0026] Apparatus 100 may further comprise one or more of the following: an unloading dock 70, a water retrieval/return system (not shown), a water filtration system 82, and a baler (not shown).

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, an unloading dock 70 is shown proximate to the holding bin 10. The unloading dock 70 may include one or more sections 72a-c. In one preferred embodiment, the unloading dock 70 includes three sections 72a-c, which are hinged together. The hinges 74 allows the two outer sections 72a,c to either be raised (as shown in FIG. 1) or lowered (as shown in FIG. 2). In the lowered position, additional unloading vehicles 90, such as dump trucks, garbage trucks or bull dozers, can simultaneously unload or push waste materials into the holding bin 10. The size or width of the sections 72a-c can be varied depending on the size of the unloading vehicle and/or the size or width of the holding bin 10. The hinges 74 may be operated hydraulically, manually, or by other known means. The unloading dock 70 may be attachable/detachable from the holding bin 10 or simply located proximate to the holding bin 10, either of which is advantageous where the apparatus 100 is transportable, as described below, or alternatively may be integral with the holding bin 10. The unloading dock may also include runners 76 on a bottom 78 of the dock 70 for facilitating transportation of the unloading dock 70 to a different location.

[0028] The unloading dock 70 preferably includes a stopper or wedge 80 on one or more of the sections 72a-c. The stopper 80 may act as a stop to guide unloading vehicles 90 that are backing up to the holding bin 10 to dump the solid waste. The stopper 80 is preferably angled as shown in FIG. 1 to facilitate entry of the waste onto the conveying means 30 and into the holding bin 10. The stopper 80 may optionally include an advancing means (not shown), such as a conveyor belt, to aid in advancing the solid waste into the holding bin. Where the unloading dock 70 includes stoppers on the outside sections 72a,c, preferably the hinges 74 are located at a top inside edge of the stoppers 80 on the outside sections, as shown in FIG. 2, to allow the outside sections 72a,c to be lifted to a raised position. Alternatively the stoppers may be detachable and the hinges 74 located on a bottom 78 of the unloading dock 70. In an alternative embodiment of apparatus 100, the stoppers may be adjacent to the holding bin 10 or integral with the holding bin without the presence of an unloading dock.

[0029] Apparatus 100 may further include a water retrieval/return system (not shown) for collecting water that has been emitted from the nozzles and returning the water to the nozzles where it can be reused. This system advantageously eliminates the need for a constant supply of water. The apparatus 100 may further include a water filtration system 82, which will filter the water before it is recycled to the nozzles 50. Preferably the filtration system 82 includes a intake hose 84, which takes the water collected by the water retrieval return system and delivers it to the water filter 86, and an export hose 88, which delivers the filtered water from the filter 86 to the nozzles 50. Optionally, the water filtered by the filtration system can be emptied into the environment or a separate container.

[0030] Apparatus 100 may also include a baler (not shown) connected to an output end of the holding bin to further reduce, compress, and/or aggregate the waste materials. Such baler may include any type of baler as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. [0031] Apparatus 100 may further include compacting means (not shown), such as rollers or presses, for example, within the holding bin 10, which may aid in reducing the volume of solid waste and may also allow the water jet action from the nozzles 50 to work more efficiently.

[0032] Apparatus 100 may be stationary or may include transportation means. Such transportation means may include, for example, one or more tracks or tires. The apparatus 100 may further include an operator's compartment and drive machinery for allowing an operator to drive the unit under its own power to various locations.

[0033] Although the apparatus for reducing solid refuse has been described above with respect to the exemplary embodiment of apparatus 100, it is not limited thereto, but rather such apparatus may include any known waste compactor and/or bagger machines with the addition of nozzles for the emission of high pressure liquid to reduce the solid waste. Such machines include, for example, the waste compactors described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,235,165 to Fenner et al., 5,868,068 to Lee, and 3,708,953 to Aluotto, for example, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6-7, there is shown an exemplary apparatus for retrieving and transporting solid refuse comprising a transportation vehicle 200. Transportation vehicle 200 includes a holding bin 210 and at least one nozzle 230 for emitting a high pressure stream of liquid. The transportation vehicle may include any known garbage truck or waste collection vehicle with the attachment of at least one nozzle (e.g., wateqet) for the emission of a high pressure stream of liquid for cutting solid waste materials. [0035] The holding bin 210 preferably includes a top 212 and a first and second sidewall 214, 216. Each of the top 212 and first and second sidewalls 214, 216 have an inside surface 212a, 214a, 216a.

[0036] At least one nozzle 230 is attached proximate to the inside surface 212a, 214a, 216a of one or more of the top 212 and first 214 and second 216 sidewalls of the holding bin 210. Preferably, a plurality of nozzles are connected to the top 212 and both of the first 214 and second 216 sidewalls of the holding bin 10. Preferably, the plurality of nozzles 230 on the top 212 and sidewalls 214, 216 are fastened to a bar or manifold 232 which is itself attached to the inside surface of the top 212 and sidewalls 214, 216 of the holding bin 210. The nozzles, and/or manifold 232 containing the nozzles 230, may be located at any position along the top 212 and/or sidewalls 214, 216. Also, the nozzles 230 may be stationary or movable side to side or front to back (such as on a track). The nozzles 230 may also or alternatively be pivotable on one or more axis of rotation. Preferably, the nozzles 230 are protected from the moving solid waste materials by a cover plate 234.

[0037] The nozzles 230 are fluidly attached to pumping mechanism (not shown) for supplying a high pressure stream of liquid to and out of the nozzles 230. As stated above, the technology for application of high pressure water, and the nozzles and delivery mechanisms therefore, are well known for applications such as pressurized water cleaning and water-jet cutting. Such known nozzles and mechanisms may be used in apparatus 200. Although water alone may be employed as the cutting vehicle, an abrasive may also be added to the liquid to enhance the cutting ability, especially where the solid waste includes materials, such as metal or concrete, which are more difficult to cut. Further, the liquid pressure flowing through the nozzles is preferably adjustable to allow the apparatus to be effectively and efficiently employed with various types of waste materials

[0038] Transportation vehicle 200 preferably includes a water storage tank (not shown) for storing the water used for the high pressure cutting by the nozzles. Preferably, the transportation vehicle 200 also includes a water retrieval/return system (not shown) for collecting water that has been emitted from the nozzles and returning the water to the nozzles where it can be reused. The vehicle 200 may further include a water filtration system (not shown), which will filter the water before it is recycled to the nozzles 230.

[0039] Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for reducing solid refuse comprising:

a holding bin having a bottom and a first and second sidewall;

a conveying means located within the holding bin; and

at least one nozzle within the holding bin capable of emitting a high pressure stream of liquid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the holding bin further comprises a top, and wherein the at least one nozzle is located on at least one of said top or first or second sidewalls.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of nozzles located on at least one of said top or first or second sidewalls, and further including a cover plate having apertures which covers the plurality of nozzles.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the nozzles are capable of pivoting on at least one axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a water retrieval and return means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including a water filtration means.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conveying means comprises a conveyor belt.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second sidewalls are angled outwardly at a first end of the holding bin.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a docking means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the docking means comprises three hinged sections.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the docking means comprises guiding means.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holding bin further comprises a blast door at a second end of the holding bin.

13. An apparatus for retrieving and transporting solid refuse comprising a transportation vehicle including:

a holding bin having an inside surface; and

at least one nozzle capable of emitting a high pressure stream of liquid located proximate the inside surface of the holding bin.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transportation vehicle is a garbage truck.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transportation vehicle further includes a compacting means contained within the holding bin.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the holding bin comprises a top, and a first and second sidewall, and wherein the at least one nozzle is located on at least one of said top or first or second sidewalls.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the vehicle comprises a plurality of nozzles located on at least one of said top or first or second sidewalls, and further including a cover plate having apertures which covers the plurality of nozzles.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the nozzles are capable of pivoting on at least one axis

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the vehicle further includes a water retrieval and return means.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further including a water filtration means.

21. An apparatus for reducing solid refuse comprising a holding bin having a compacting means and at least one nozzle capable of emitting a high pressure stream of liquid.