A separation device includes a first shredding unit, a first beating unit, and a first separation unit. The first shredding unit shreds a disposable diaper (processing target) containing a plastic (first material) and a water-absorbent polymer (second material) adhering to the plastic. The first beating unit beats the disposable diaper shredded by the first shredding unit with a first beating member, thereby promoting dissociation of the water-absorbent polymer from the plastic. The first separation unit rotates a first tubular portion in a state in which the disposable diaper beaten by the first beating unit is accommodated therein, thereby separating the water-absorbent polymer passing through first holes from the disposable diaper.

A separation device includes a first shredding unit, a first beating unit, and a first separation unit. The first shredding unit shreds a disposable diaper (processing target) containing a plastic (first material) and a water-absorbent polymer (second material) adhering to the plastic. The first beating unit beats the disposable diaper shredded by the first shredding unit with a first beating member, thereby promoting dissociation of the water-absorbent polymer from the plastic. The first separation unit rotates a first tubular portion in a state in which the disposable diaper beaten by the first beating unit is accommodated therein, thereby separating the water-absorbent polymer passing through first holes from the disposable diaper.

Organic waste is polished to remove floatable contaminants prior to being biologically treated. In one application, pressed organic waste is polished before being sent to a wet anaerobic digester, optionally to be co-digested with wastewater treatment plant sludge. The organic waste is polished by flinging globs of the organic waste against a screen (3,4) while flowing air across the flinging globs. The polishing can be performed in a device having a rotor (6) with discrete paddles (9,10) inside of a cylindrical screen (2,3,4).

Organic waste is polished to remove floatable contaminants prior to being biologically treated. In one application, pressed organic waste is polished before being sent to a wet anaerobic digester, optionally to be co-digested with wastewater treatment plant sludge. The organic waste is polished by flinging globs of the organic waste against a screen (3,4) while flowing air across the flinging globs. The polishing can be performed in a device having a rotor (6) with discrete paddles (9,10) inside of a cylindrical screen (2,3,4).

There as herein defined a pneumatic conveying system comprising a cyclonic feed apparatus. In particular, there is described a pneumatic conveying system comprising a vessel (e.g. a cyclonic separator) in combination with a sifting device (e.g. a centrifugal device) which is capable of separating pneumatically conveyed material into oversize powder discharge (e.g. waste material) and fine powder discharge (e.g. valuable product material).

There as herein defined a pneumatic conveying system comprising a cyclonic feed apparatus. In particular, there is described a pneumatic conveying system comprising a vessel (e.g. a cyclonic separator) in combination with a sifting device (e.g. a centrifugal device) which is capable of separating pneumatically conveyed material into oversize powder discharge (e.g. waste material) and fine powder discharge (e.g. valuable product material).

An electrode material containing active material powder is prepared. Dry classification of the electrode material is performed by a classifier. An electrode is manufactured by using the electrode material subjected to the dry classification. The classifier includes a mesh screen, a blade, and a motor. Breakage of the mesh screen is detected by monitoring either or both of an operation sound of the classifier and torque of the motor. The electrode material contained in the classifier will no longer be used for manufacturing of the electrode when breakage of the mesh screen is detected.

An electrode material containing active material powder is prepared. Dry classification of the electrode material is performed by a classifier. An electrode is manufactured by using the electrode material subjected to the dry classification. The classifier includes a mesh screen, a blade, and a motor. Breakage of the mesh screen is detected by monitoring either or both of an operation sound of the classifier and torque of the motor. The electrode material contained in the classifier will no longer be used for manufacturing of the electrode when breakage of the mesh screen is detected.

A hydraulically powered separator includes a separation chamber, an auger, a restrictor ring mounted at an output end of the chamber, a hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocating ram, a proportional hydraulic valve operatively coupled to the hydraulic cylinder, and a controller operatively coupled to the proportional hydraulic valve so as to control the hydraulic cylinder in a closed-loop manner. The chamber receives and processes a food product and has a cylindrical screen including a plurality of apertures. The auger is rotatably disposed within the chamber and an annular space and a volume is defined between the auger and the screen. The restrictor ring can be linearly and reciprocally displaced. Linear displacement of the restrictor ring varies a size of the volume. Movement of the ram causes pivoting movement of the restrictor ring to reduce or increase the size of the volume.

A hydraulically powered separator includes a separation chamber, an auger, a restrictor ring mounted at an output end of the chamber, a hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocating ram, a proportional hydraulic valve operatively coupled to the hydraulic cylinder, and a controller operatively coupled to the proportional hydraulic valve so as to control the hydraulic cylinder in a closed-loop manner. The chamber receives and processes a food product and has a cylindrical screen including a plurality of apertures. The auger is rotatably disposed within the chamber and an annular space and a volume is defined between the auger and the screen. The restrictor ring can be linearly and reciprocally displaced. Linear displacement of the restrictor ring varies a size of the volume. Movement of the ram causes pivoting movement of the restrictor ring to reduce or increase the size of the volume.