Solid material comminution or disintegration – Processes – With classifying or separating of material
Patent
1992-11-19
1994-11-01
Watts, Douglas D.
Solid material comminution or disintegration
Processes
With classifying or separating of material
241 30, 241 99, 241DIG38, 210705, C22B 4300, C22B 902, H01J 900, B09B 300
Patent
active
053601696
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national phase of PCT/DE92/00055 filed 29 Jan. 1992 and based, in turn, upon German National Application P41 02 972.0 filed 1 Feb. 1991 under the International Convention.
The present invention is directed to a process for the disposal of articles containing metals or metal vapors, especially lamps containing mercury vapor. Furthermore, the invention is directed to an apparatus carrying out such a process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The articles in question are primarily so-called discharge lamps which, in contrast to filament lamps and halogen lamps, need metal vapors, for example mercury vapor, for the generation of light. For general illumination purposes the following discharge lamps are used: fluorescent lamps including compact fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor high pressure lamps, metal halogen vapor lamps, sodium vapor high pressure lamps. According to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany such discharge lamps are extraordinary waste and require special disposal. In the past extensive measures had been necessary for carrying out such a special disposal. Furthermore, such articles include for example thermometers, and electrical switches. The invention is directed to the disposal of any articles which contain metals or metal vapors which are detrimental with respect to the environment.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a process and a device with which articles containing metals or metal vapors can be disposed of at any site with simple means without damaging mankind and environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention this object is achieved by a process according to which the articles are introduced into a container which contains a liquid converting the metal or the metal vapor into harmless compounds, especially sulphides, the articles are pressed into the liquid so that a sufficient amount of liquid is thereabove, the articles are crushed within the liquid so that the metal or the metal vapor is released, and the container is emptied and the contents thereof are separated in a central plant.
I can thus provide a plurality of collecting points at which the above-mentioned containers are installed so that the articles or lamps which have to be discarded can be disposed of by the user himself without long distance travel. It is of importance that the articles introduced into the container are destroyed within a liquid which, on the one hand, forms a protective bed with regard to the metals or metal vapors released during destruction and which, on the other hand itself converts these metals or metal vapors into harmless compounds. The metals or metal vapors are substantially immediately immobilized by the liquid so that there is no danger for mankind and the environment. Furthermore, the liquid forms a corresponding implosion protection.
So, for example, the released metals or metal vapors are converted by the liquid in the container into harmless metal sulphides which settle in the container in addition to the glass and metal parts of the lamps. In any case, the liquid in the container ensures that no metals or metal vapors can escape into the atmosphere. A sufficient liquid column is always above the comminuted glass, plastics and/or metal parts of the destroyed articles, too, so that even these parts which are correspondingly contaminated do not contact the atmosphere. Accordingly, it is ensured that the destroyed articles or lamps in the container are stored without damaging mankind and environment.
Furthermore, the inventive process provides that the containers are emptied in certain intervals. This can be done, for example, by means of special vehicles which suck off the contents of the container and transfer the same into a vehicle tank, or by means of vehicles loading the container and transfering the same to a central disposal plant. In this plant a separation of the contents of the corresponding container takes place, wherein the used liquid is purified and recycl
REFERENCES:
patent: 4858833 (1989-08-01), Hamulik
Dubno Herbert
Ubib Unternehmensberatungs GmbH
Watts Douglas D.
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