US4091825A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of unoxidized metals from organic insulated metallic scrap
Assignee: International Recycling Enterprises Ltd
•
Filing: 1976-05-27
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1996-05-27
Abstract
Abstract Metallic scrap containing a coating of organic insulation material is processed to recover a clean, unoxidized metallic substrate and various insulation by-products by thermally decomposing the organic insulation under pressure in a closed, externally heated vessel. Volatile decomposition products are periodically vented to a vapor recovery system and non-volatile decomposition products, primarily carbonaceous char adhering to the clean scrap, are separated by mechanical action such as vibration or tumbling. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert B. Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B15/00; H01B15/003; C; C22; C22B; C22B1/00; C22B1/005; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/82; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49751; Y10T29/49755; Y10T29/49757
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising: (a) thermally decomposing said organic insulation into volatile and non-volatile decomposition products in a closed, externally heated vessel at a pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure, and (b) separating said metallic scrap from said non-volatile decomposition products.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising: (a) thermally decomposing said organic insulation into volatile and non-volatile decomposition products in a closed, externally heated vessel at a pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure, and (b) separating said metallic scrap from said non-volatile decomposition products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said organic insulation is selected from the group consisting of paper, rubber, neoprene, asphalt, and plastics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said volatile decomposition products are periodically removed from said vessel during said decomposing step while maintaining a pressure of at least 10 psi in said vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of recovering said volatile decomposition products in a closed recovery system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said closed recovery system comprises at least one condenser for converting said volatile decomposition products to liquid by-products with substantially no gaseous effluent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said non-volatile decomposition products comprise a liquid fraction and a carbonaceous solid fraction adhering to said metallic scrap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said liquid and solid fractions are separated by drawing off said liquid fraction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said carbonaceous solid is separated from said metallic scrap by mechanical action.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said mechanical action comprises tumbling.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said non-volatile decomposition products comprise a carbonaceous solid adhering to said metallic scrap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said carbonaceous solid is separated from said metallic scrap by mechanical action.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said mechanical action comprises tumbling.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising: (a) placing the insulated metallic scrap in a closed airtight vessel; (b) thermally decomposing said organic insulation under a pressure of at least 10 psi by externally heating said closed vessel; (c) periodically removing volatile decomposition products from said vessel during said decomposing step while maintaining a pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure in said vessel; (d) recovering said volatile decomposition products in a closed recovery system; and (e) separating said metallic scrap from non-volatile decomposition products upon completion of said decomposing step.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising: (a) placing the insulated metallic scrap in a closed airtight vessel; (b) thermally decomposing said organic insulation under a pressure of at least 10 psi by externally heating said closed vessel; (c) periodically removing volatile decomposition products from said vessel during said decomposing step while maintaining a pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure in said vessel; (d) recovering said volatile decomposition products in a closed recovery system; and (e) separating said metallic scrap from non-volatile decomposition products upon completion of said decomposing step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said organic insulation is selected from the group consisting of paper, rubber, neoprene, asphalt, and plastics.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said closed recovery system comprises at least one condenser for converting said volatile decomposition products to liquid by-products with substantially no gaseous effluent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said non-volatile decomposition products comprise a liquid fraction and a carbonaceous solid fraction adhering to said metallic scrap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said liquid and solid fractions are separated by drawing off said liquid fraction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said carbonaceous solid is separated from said metallic scrap by mechanical action.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said mechanical action comprises tumbling.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said non-volatile decomposition products comprise a carbonaceous solid adhering to said metallic scrap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said carbonaceous solid is separated from said metallic scrap by mechanical action.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said mechanical action comprises tumbling.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising: (a) a closeable airtight pressure vessel for receiving a charge of insulated metallic scrap; (b) means for externally heating said vessel to thermally decompose said organic insulation into volatile and non-volatile decomposition products; (c) means for periodically removing said volatile decomposition products from said vessel during the thermal decomposition of said organic insulation, said means for removing further maintaining a positive pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure in said vessel; (d) means for recovering said volatile decomposition products in liquid form, said means for recovering having substantially no gaseous effluent; and (e) means for separating said metallic scrap from said non-volatile decomposition products.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for removing organic insulation from insulated metallic scrap comprising: (a) a closeable airtight pressure vessel for receiving a charge of insulated metallic scrap; (b) means for externally heating said vessel to thermally decompose said organic insulation into volatile and non-volatile decomposition products; (c) means for periodically removing said volatile decomposition products from said vessel during the thermal decomposition of said organic insulation, said means for removing further maintaining a positive pressure of at least 10 psi above atmospheric pressure in said vessel; (d) means for recovering said volatile decomposition products in liquid form, said means for recovering having substantially no gaseous effluent; and (e) means for separating said metallic scrap from said non-volatile decomposition products.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for recovering comprises at least one condenser.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said means for separating comprises a tumbler.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |