DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of material handling and waste management. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a system for classifying, segregation and sorting of waste and recovery from landfills.

BACKGROUND

Generally, large amounts of throw-away waste and solid waste generated from commercial, industrial, and residential establishments are disposed by burying such waste in landfills. Landfills are usually covered by a number of soil layers at the top and in between, to reduce exposure of such waste to oxygen and moisture. Under such reduced oxygen and moisture, over a period of time, the waste may break down and/or gradually decompose. Further, the soil layers, that cover the waste disposed in the landfill, may aid in reducing amount of gases such as, but not limited to, methane, carbon dioxide and any other gases that may be generated during decomposition of the waste in landfill from amalgamating with atmospheric air. Also, some of such landfill gases may possess high Global Warming Potential (GWP), whereby allowing amalgamation of such landfill gases with the atmospheric air may result in hazardous environment. Additionally, although covering landfills with soil layers is advantageous for trapping the landfill gases, such soil layers during prolonged periods may further loosen and crack, which may allow some of the landfill gases to combust and cause landfill fires, resulting in emission of hazardous fumes and gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, volatile organics and the like.

Though the aspects of recovery, reclamation and reuse of waste from landfills is environmentally beneficial, in most of the circumstances, the same is not economically viable. Existing waste recovery systems and processes are expensive, cumbersome, and include complex and inaccurate waste valuation techniques. Costs associated with classifying, sorting, segregation, transportation and processing are some of cost contribution factors in waste recovery processes. Segregating of the landfill waste manually may expose workmen to unhygienic conditions and may be inaccurate in nature, due to involvement of human errors. Moreover, manual process may not be feasible for larger amounts of landfill waste which may involve huge man-power and labour costs.

With advent of technology, machines have been developed for mechanically ploughing and/or separating constituents of the landfill waste. Such machines may be employed to avoid accumulation and combustion of the landfill gases. Conventional mechanical waste segregators include rotary ploughing tools and larger chambers downstream of such rotary ploughing tool so that, some of the constituents of the landfill waste may be suitably separated and accommodated in such large chambers. Due to such large chambers, space requirement tends to become a challenge in the conventional machines, whereby other subsequent problems pertaining to transportation, parking, accessibility, and other incidental problems may be inherent at remote locations of the landfills. In addition to above problems of the conventional mechanical waste segregators, generally human capital may be required for suitably segregating remaining constituents of the landfills, whereby adding to operational costs of maintaining and regulating wastes in such landfills. Moreover, conventional mechanical waste segregators such as trommel machines include a large number of moving parts, due to which such machines suffer a high degree of wear and tear and perennial maintenance issues. Further, conventional trommel machines may have inherent functional disadvantages such as screen plugging, and blinding caused by waste particles, whereby components such as drum and sieve may experience frequent damage caused by stones and boulders present in construction and demolition (C and D) waste. Furthermore, the conventional mechanical waste segregators machines have lower efficiency due to inability in selectively sorting of constituents of the landfill waste, while at the same time have high fuel consumption rate for working, thereby leading to inefficient operation.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the conventional systems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional system are overcome by a system and a method as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the system and the method as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for classifying, segregation and sorting of landfill waste. The system includes a soil separator unit, which is configured to receive the landfill waste. The soil separator includes at least one sieve that is obliquely positioned relative to an axial axis of the soil separator. The at least one sieve is configured to classify and segregate soil mass from a biodegradable waste and a non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste. The system further includes at least one segregation unit, which is positioned downstream of the soil separator. The at least one segregation unit is configured to receive the biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste from the soil separator unit and sort the biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste based on volumetric mass across the at least one segregation unit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the landfill waste is vertically introduced into the soil separator under an action of gravity, to engage a portion onto the at least one sieve.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one sieve is configured to arrest vertical motion of the landfill waste to classify and segregate the soil mass in the landfill waste from the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste based on particle size of the soil mass ranging from at least 0.1mm to 5mm.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one sieve is defined with at least one of protrusions and perforations, to selectively retain and channelize the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste to the at least one segregation unit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one sieve is configured to channelize the biodegradable and the non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste to the at least one segregation unit under action of gravity.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one sieve includes a plurality of bars defining a predetermined space between each successive bar, to allow passage of the soil mass for classifying and separating the soil mass from the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least some of the plurality of bars is axially rotatable.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system includes a channel, extending from soil separator unit, wherein the channel is configured to convey the soil mass away from each of the at least one segregation unit for segregation of the landfill waste.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one segregation unit comprises a first segregation unit and a second segregation unit, and wherein the first segregation unit is configured to receive the classified landfill waste from the soil separator unit, and the second segregation unit is configured to receive segregated landfill waste from the first segregation unit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second segregation unit includes a flow creation unit, positioned proximal to and downstream of the at least one sieve in the soil separator unit. The flow creation unit is configured to induce fluid pressure on the landfill waste to segregate and sort based on volumetric mass of the landfill waste. The second segregation unit also includes a restrictor, located at predefined positions in the at least one segregation unit, the restrictor is adjustably oriented at a predefined angle to restrict motion of the landfill waste across the segregation unit, based on volumetric mass.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the restrictor is defined with inverted V-profile, to selectively restrict motion and classify the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste based on volumetric mass across the segregation unit.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow creation unit is at least one of a blower and a suction creation unit.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system for classifying, segregation and sorting landfill waste, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a soil separator unit of the landfill waste segregation system of figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a second segregation unit of the landfill waste segregation system of figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of the landfill waste segregation system of figure 1.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent systems, mechanisms, and methods which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to system and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description, when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those acts but may include other acts not expressly listed or inherent to such system and method thereof. In other words, one or more acts in the system and the method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other acts or additional acts in the method.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system for segregation and sorting of landfill waste. The system includes a soil separator unit, defined with at least one inlet portion, to receive landfill waste. The soil separator unit includes at least sieve obliquely positioned relative to an axial axis of the soil separator unit, for separation of soil mass from the landfill waste. The system includes at least one segregation unit, configured to receive the classified landfill waste from the soil separator. The at least one segregation unit includes a flow creation device which is configured to create flow for segregating and sorting the landfill waste.

The term ‘landfill waste’ as referred to herein may be considered to include waste recovered from a landfill site such as a dumping yard, dumping ground, rubbish dump, garbage dump, or dumping ground, or from a site used for disposal of waste materials. The waste buried in the landfills is generally left to break down and/or decompose for long time spans, which may be, in a range of 6 months to 60 months or beyond, based on requirement and/or nature of waste buried in such landfills. This landfill waste consists of solid waste of different volumetric masses and is different from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). However, the landfill waste may be considered to include decomposed MSW including, soil, dirt, silt, domestic waste, household waste, wet waste, dry waste, and the like, which can be categorized into a biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste and a soil mass that may be generated at various institutions including, but not limited to, schools, households, hospitals, industries and the like.

The term ‘soil mass’ as referred to herein may be considered to include soil, compost mud and/or dirt that is formed in the landfill, when the densely packed waste in the landfill interacts with surrounding MSW and humidity. The term ‘soil mass’ as referred to herein may be considered to include, but not limited to, minerals, sand, mud, dirt, silt, soil organic matter, living organisms, and the like, particle size of such soil mass may be less than 5mm.. The term lighter volumetric mass as used herein refers to materials including, but not limited to, polythene or plastic (recyclable and non-recyclable) bags, bottles, microbeads, objects and particles, that are lighter in mass in comparison with other waste materials. The term moderate volumetric mass as used herein refers to Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) materials including, but not limited to, combustible components of landfill waste such as non- recyclable plastics, paper cardboard, labels, jute bags, fabrics (biodegradable and non-biodegradable) and other corrugated materials. Further, the term higher volumetric mass (3c) as used herein refers to materials including, but not limited to, construction and demolition waste (C and D waste) (i.e. waste debris resulting from demolition of construction) including boulders, stones, concrete, wood products, asphalt shingles, brick and clay tiles, steel, and drywall.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures of a landfill waste segregation system. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure, since the system may be used on other types of feeders or conveyers, shredders or crushers, separators, and the like. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, which illustrates a schematic perspective view of a system (100) for classification, segregation and sorting of landfill waste (3). The system (100) may assist in selectively classifying and categorizing the landfill waste (3) based on particle size and/or volumetric mass, where constituents of the landfill waste (3) may include, but not limited to, soil mass (15), a biodegradable waste (3), a non-biodegradable waste (3), where the biodegradable waste (3) and the non-biodegradable waste (3) may be of lighter volumetric mass (3a), waste (3) of moderate volumetric mass (3b), and waste higher volumetric mass (3c). The system (100) may enable in classification, segregation and sorting for at least one of recovery, recycling, reclamation, aftertreatment and disposal of the soil mass (15), the lighter volumetric mass (3a), the moderate volumetric mass (3b), and the higher volumetric mass (3c).

The system (100) includes a soil separator unit (1), defined with at least one inlet portion (2), to receive the landfill waste (3). Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the soil separator unit (1), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The soil separator unit (1) may be configured with obliquely oriented at least one sieve (10) for classification and separation of the soil mass (15) from the landfill waste (3). The soil separator unit (1), subsequent to classification of the soil mass (15) from the landfill waste (3), is configured to convey the separated landfill waste (3) to at least one segregation unit. It is to be construed that the system (100) may include more than one segregation unit positioned downstream of the soil separator unit (1) without deviating from working principles of the system (100). In the illustrative embodiment of Figures 1 and 4, the system (100) includes two segregation unit, namely a first segregation unit (4a) and a second segregation unit (4b).

In an embodiment, the first segregation unit first segregation unit (4a) is positioned downstream of the soil separator unit (1), in order to segregate the landfill waste (3) received from the soil separator unit (1) for disposal within a plurality of compartments (4b, 6b, 6c and 6d). Further referring back to Figure 1, the system (100) includes a first sorting zone (4) defined by a first segregation unit (4a), that may be coupled to the soil separator unit (1) and may be defined by a plurality of walls (9). In an embodiment, the first segregation unit (4a) may be coupled to the soil separator unit (1) such that, the landfill waste (3) may be received by the first segregation unit (4a) from the soil separator unit (1), by virtue of downward flow under action of gravity. The plurality of walls (9) may be connectable to one another to define a first compartment (4b) within the first segregation unit (4a), where the lighter volumetric mass (3a) may be separated from the landfill waste (3) and stored therein. Further, a first flow creation device (5) provisioned in the first segregation unit (4a) may be configured to create flow within the first segregation unit (4a) such that, the lighter volumetric mass (3a) entering the first sorting zone (4) from the soil separator unit (1), is separated and routed to the first compartment (4b). In an embodiment, the first flow creation device (5) may be positioned proximal to an outlet of the soil separator unit (1), to impinge a forced air or suction onto the landfill waste (3) entering the first segregation unit (4a). The first flow creation device (5) may be configured to create a pressurized flow of fluid having an optimum value such that, the lighter volumetric mass (3a) from the landfill waste (3) entering the first segregation unit (4a) may traverse over the plurality of walls (9) therein, in order to be stored within the first compartment (4b).

In an embodiment, the at least one sieve (10) is configured to channelize the biodegradable and the non-biodegradable waste (3) in the landfill waste (3) to the at least one segregation unit under action of gravity. That is, due to orientation of the at least one sieve (10), the landfill waste (3) introduced into the soil separator unit (1) under action of gravity may be configured to move along the at least one sieve (10) while classifying and separating (based on particle size) of the soil mass (15) from the landfill waste (3). In the illustrative embodiment, the at least one sieve (10) includes a plurality of bars defining a predetermined space between each successive bar, may be in a range of 0.5mm to 10mm, in order to allow passage of the soil mass (15) for classifying and separating the soil mass (15) from the biodegradable waste (3) and the non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste. Additionally, to impart steady flow of the landfill waste, at least some of the plurality of bars is axially rotatable for selective displacement of the landfill waste. Such configuration of the at least one sieve cannot be construed as a limitation as the at least one sieve is cylindrically arranged such that, the at least one sieve is rotatably operated for classifying and separating the soil mass from the landfill waste and transporting the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste. Also, the at least one sieve is connectable to an actuator for inducing vibration to the landfill waste for classifying and segregating in the soil separator unit, where such actuators may be at least one of a motor, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, and the like.

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a second segregation unit (6a) included in the system (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second segregation unit (6a) may be positioned downstream of the first segregation unit (4a) and includes a plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d) configured to store a different type of waste (3a, 3b and 3c) separated from the landfill waste (3). In an embodiment, the second segregation unit (6a) may be coupled to the first segregation unit (4a) such that, the landfill waste (3) may traverse downward from the first segregation unit (4a), due to action of gravity. The waste (3a, 3b and 3c) entering the second segregation unit (6a) includes remaining portion of the lighter volumetric mass (3a) traversing from the soil separator unit (1), the moderate volumetric mass (3b), and the higher volumetric mass (3c). In an embodiment, the second flow creation device (7) may be positioned proximal to an outlet of the first segregation unit (4a) to impinge a forced air or suction onto the landfill waste (3) entering the second segregation unit (6a) from the first segregation unit (4a) (i.e. entering the second sorting zone (6) from the first sorting zone (4)). The second flow creation device (7) may be configured to create a pressurized flow of fluid having an optimum value such that, the landfill waste (3) including lighter volumetric mass (3a), the moderate volumetric mass (3b), and the higher volumetric mass (3c), may traverse over the plurality of walls (9) therein, in order to be is segregated, based on volumetric mass, and stored within the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d).

The second segregation unit (6a) may further include a restrictor (8) defined with predetermined inclination and is positioned between the second and third compartments (6b and 6c) of the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d). The restrictor (8) may be located and/or oriented such that, the higher volumetric mass (3c) separated from the landfill waste (3) may engage with at least a portion of the restrictor (8) and in-turn restricted from traversing ahead of such restrictor (8). In an embodiment, the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d) of the second segregation unit (6a) may be configured to distinctly store the lighter volumetric mass (3a), the moderate volumetric mass (3b), and the higher volumetric mass (3c) separated from the landfill waste (3). The second compartment (6b) may be configured to the receive and store the higher volumetric mass (3c). In the embodiment, the third compartment (6c) may be configured to the receive and store the moderate volumetric mass (3b). In the embodiment, the fourth compartment (6d) may be configured to the receive and store the lighter volumetric mass (3a). The system (100) is configured to segregate soil mass (15), lighter volumetric mass (3a), moderate volumetric mass (3b), and higher volumetric mass (3c) comprised within the landfill waste (3), based on physical properties and volumetric mass of the waste. The system (100) ensures proper segregation of landfill waste (3) for at least one of renewing, reclaiming, recycling and disposal.

In an embodiment, the restrictor (8) may be a rigid board or an angle rod, as depicted in Figure 1. In another embodiment, the restrictor (8) may be at least one of a beam with triangular cross section and an aerodynamic profiled board, where such restrictor (8) may be profiled to engage and restrict flow of higher volumetric mass away from the second compartment (6b). The restrictor (8) may be at least one of a metallic, polymeric, wood, and any other material that may be suitable for operation of the system (100). The configuration of the restrictor (8) to include an angle of inclination ensures that motion of the higher volumetric mass (3c) is arrested on engagement therebetween to secure within the second compartment (6b), thereby preventing further flow of the higher volumetric mass (3c) into the third and/or the fourth compartments (6c and 6d).

Referring back to Figure 2, the soil separator unit (1) may be configured to receive the landfill waste (3) from at least one of manual feeding, a hopper (14), a conveyor (13), a belt conveyer, a roller conveyer, a magnetic conveyor, a hopper conveyor, combination of the conveyor (13) and the hopper (14), an earth moving equipment, a feeder and any other supply system that may assist in disposing the landfill waste (3) into the soil separator unit (1). The soil separator unit (1) may be configured to receive the landfill waste (3) from receiving section defined at a top portion, where such waste (3) is received due to action of gravity. In the embodiment, the landfill waste (3) may also be introduced into the soil separator unit (1) along any of side portions of the soil separator unit (1), based on requirement and/or configuration of the soil separator unit (1) and any unit that may suitably dispose the landfill waste (3) thereto. In an embodiment, the at least one sieve (10) for separation of soil mass (15) from the landfill waste (3), may be configured to include elements such as rods, rails and bars, that may be parallelly positioned in the at least one sieve (10) to restrict movement of the landfill waste (3). The restrictors may be equidistant from one another and may be positioned/oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to the base of the soil separator unit (1). The restrictors may be oriented in an oblique orientation, relative to the vertical, to facilitate free movement of the landfill waste (3), without clogging and/or physically impacting stiffness of the at least one sieve (10). In the embodiment, distance between each restrictor in the at least one sieve (10) may be varied based on constituents of the landfill waste (3) being disposed therein and rate of disposal of such landfill waste (3). In an embodiment, the predetermined angle may be in the range of 05 degrees to 89 degrees relative to a vertical axis, where such predetermined angle may vary based on composition of the landfill waste (3).

In an embodiment, the soil separator unit (1) may be coupled to a channel (11) configured to carry the separated soil mass (15) from the soil separator unit (1) to a bin (12). In an embodiment, the channel (11) may be at least one of a chute, conduit, conveyor, slide and funnel. In an embodiment, the soil separator unit (1) may be formed by connecting the plurality of walls (9) to one another.

In an embodiment, the plurality of walls (9) may be at least one of a panel, separator, barrier enclosing a top portion, a bottom portion, one or more side portion, a front portion, and a rear portion of the first and second segregation unit (4a and 6a) and the soil separator unit (1). The profiles may include, but not limited to, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, and the like. In the embodiment, one of the plurality of walls (9) may be an intermediate wall of the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a) and the soil separator unit (1). Nonetheless, in another embodiment, the plurality of walls (9) may be replaced by a single wall having a cylindrical profile.

In an embodiment, the first and second flow creation device (5 and 7) may include, but not limited to, a blower, a suction unit [as shown in Figures 1 and 4 respectively], or any other means that may be configured to generate flow of fluid to pressurize the landfill waste (3) during traversing within the system (100). In an embodiment, the first flow creation device (5) may possess a flow generation capacity (power and/or rating) that is comparatively lower than the flow generation capacity of the second flow creation device (7), to separate and carry the lighter volumetric mass (3a) from the landfill waste (3) to the first compartment (4b). In addition, the flow generated by the first flow creation device (5) is such that, the flow path or trajectory of the moderate volumetric mass (3b) and the higher volumetric mass (3c) may remain unaffected by virtue of weight of constituents in such wastes. Further, the second flow creation device (7) may be configured possess sufficient flow generation capacity to separate the lighter volumetric mass (3a), the moderate volumetric mass (3b) and the higher volumetric mass (3c) based on volumetric mass of the landfill waste (3).

In an embodiment, the first and second flow creation device (5 and 7) may be supported by at least one wall of the plurality of walls (9) of the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a) such that, the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) fluidly engages with the landfill waste (3) introduced therein. The term ‘fluid’ as referred to herein may be air, and the term ‘fluidly engage’ as used herein refers to the flow generated due to pressurized air being supplied by the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7). The first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) may be connected and/or mounted to the at least one of the wall of the plurality of walls (9) such that, the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) are either positioned within the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a), respectively, or may be positioned outside the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a), respectively, based on available space and working principle of such devices. Further, the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) is configured to create flow of fluid that impacts the landfill waste (3), upon entering the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a) from the soil separator unit (1) and the first segregation unit (4a), respectively. This flow of fluid through the landfill waste (3) disperses the landfill waste (3), and in-turn leads to segregation, of the landfill waste (3), based on volumetric mass. The segregation of the landfill waste (3) is due to application of pressure difference within the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a) from the fluid such as, but not limited to, air, on the landfill waste (3), by the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7).

In an embodiment, the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) may be connected and/or mounted by means including, but not limited to, fastening, welding, brazing, clamping, and the like. The segregated waste including the lighter volumetric mass (3a), the moderate volumetric mass (3b) and the higher volumetric mass (3c) may then be collected in the first compartment (4b) in the first segregation unit (4a) and the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d) in the second segregation unit (6a), as best seen in Figure 1. Due to this dispersion across the first compartment (4b) and the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d), the segregated landfill waste (3) may be collected in the first compartment (4b) and the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d), as a distinct stock, in accordance with corresponding volumetric mass. In the embodiment, each of the first compartment (4b) and the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d) may be adapted to collect waste having a specific volumetric mass. That is, the first compartment (4b) and the plurality of compartments (6b, 6c and 6d) may be adapted to collect the segregated landfill waste (3) having either of lighter volumetric mass (3a) or moderate volumetric mass (3b) or higher volumetric mass (3c), based on position of the compartment and nature of the flow created by the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7).

In an embodiment, the blower is employed as the first and second flow creation device (5 and 7) [shown in Figure 1]. The blower may be positioned proximal to an inlet portion of the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a), in order to impart a positive pressure of the fluid flow on the landfill waste (3) entering the first and second segregation unit s (4a and 6a). The blower may be positioned downstream to the inlet portion the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a). In the embodiment, employing blower as the first and second flow creation device (5 and 7), the waste may be dispersed in a direction which is opposite to the wall (9) on which the blower may be mounted.

In another embodiment, the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) may also be configured as a suction device [as shown in Figure 4], which generates a negative pressure fluid flow on the segregated landfill waste (3). The first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) may be positioned away from the inlet portions of the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a), in order to impart the negative fluid flow pressure on the landfill waste (3), for segregation. The first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7) may be connected to the at least one of the walls of the plurality of walls (9) of the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a) which may be located away from the inlet portions of the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a), as shown in Figure 4. In the embodiment, employing suction devices as the first and second flow creation device (5 and 7), the waste would be dispersed in a direction towards the wall (9) on which the suction device is mounted.

In an embodiment, at least one doorway (not shown in figures) may be defined in the first and second segregation units (4a and 6a). The at least one doorway may provide an access to the plurality of compartments (4b, 6b, 6c and 6d), for withdrawing the segregated landfill waste (3) collected in the plurality of compartments (4b, 6b, 6c and 6d). Further, the plurality of compartments (4b, 6b, 6c and 6d) may not be limited to any container and/or a storage unit for collecting the landfill waste (3), as the segregated landfill waste (3) may also be channelized to a receiving portion of a device for aftertreatment of the segregated landfill waste (3).

In an embodiment, the first and second flow creation devices (5 and 7), the conveyor (13) and the hopper (14) may be driven by a motor. The motor may be operated AC or DC means, in accordance with requirement of mode of operations.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the landfill waste (3) may be segregated with either minimal or no human intervention.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system (100) is compact in size, thereby avoiding problems associated with space constrains.

In an embodiment, the lighter volumetric mass (3a) and the moderate volumetric mass (3b), that includes RDF waste may be shredded into uniform grain size particles and may be pelletized to produce a homogeneous material. Such pellets may be used as a substitute for fossil fuels in cement plants, lime plants, coal fired power plants and/or as reduction agent in steel furnaces. Further, the higher volumetric mass (3c) including C and D waste can be used in construction of embankments for railroads and bridges. Further, in an embodiment, the system (100) recovers more than 60 percent of volumetric mass from the landfill waste (3), in comparison with less than 20 percent recovery rate with existing landfill waste (3) segregation systems. In addition, by configuring the at least one sieve (10) to not include any horizontally oriented rods, rails and bars, with respect to the base of the soil separator unit (1), issues such as blockage and damage to the at least one sieve (10) is prevented.

EQUIVAENTS:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims e.g., bodies of the appended claims are generally intended as “open” terms e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”; the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations. Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention e.g., “a system 108 having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.. In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention e.g., “a system 108 having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.. It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals
Particulars Numeral
Soil separator unit 1
Inlet portion 2
Landfill waste 3
Landfill waste having lighter volumetric mass 3a
Landfill waste having moderate volumetric mass 3b
Landfill waste having higher volumetric mass 3c
First sorting zone 4
First segregation unit 4a
First compartment 4b
First flow creation device 5
Second sorting zone 6
Second segregation unit 6a
Plurality of compartments 4b, 6b, 6c and 6d
Second compartment 6b
Third compartment 6c
Fourth compartment 6d
Second flow creation device 7
Restrictor 8
Wall 9
Sieve 10
Channel 11
Bin 12
Conveyor 13
Hopper 14
Soil mass 15
Landfill waste segregation system 100
Perspective view of the soil separator unit 120
Perspective view of the second segregation unit 140
Another embodiment of landfill waste segregation system 200

,CLAIMS:1. A system (100) for classifying, segregation and sorting of landfill waste (3), the system (100) comprising:
a soil separator unit (1), configured to receive the landfill waste (3), the soil separator comprises at least one sieve (10), obliquely positioned relative to an axial axis of the soil separator, wherein the at least one sieve (10) is configured to classify and segregate soil mass from a biodegradable waste and a non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste (3); and
at least one segregation unit, positioned downstream of the soil separator, the at least one segregation unit is configured to receive the biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste (3) from the soil separator unit (1) and sort the biodegradable waste and non-biodegradable waste based on volumetric mass across the at least one segregation unit.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the landfill waste (3) is vertically introduced into the soil separator under an action of gravity, to engage a portion onto the at least one sieve (10).

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one sieve (10) is configured to arrest vertical motion of the landfill waste (3) to classify and segregate the soil mass in the landfill waste (3) from the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste based on particle size of the soil mass ranging from at least 0.1mm to 5mm.

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sieve (10) is defined with at least one of protrusions and perforations, to selectively retain and channelize the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste to the at least one segregation unit.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sieve (10) is configured to channelize the biodegradable and the non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste (3) to the at least one segregation unit under action of gravity.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one sieve (10) includes a plurality of bars defining a predetermined space between each successive bar, to allow passage of the soil mass for classifying and separating the soil mass from the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste in the landfill waste (3).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least some of the plurality of bars is axially rotatable.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one sieve (10) is cylindrically arranged such that, the at least one sieve (10) is rotatably operated for classifying and separating the soil mass from the landfill waste (3) and transporting the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste.

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one sieve (10) is connectable to an actuator for inducing vibration to the landfill waste (3) for classifying and segregating in the soil separator unit (1).

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a channel, extending from soil separator unit (1), wherein the channel is configured to convey the soil mass away from each of the at least one segregation unit for segregation of the landfill waste (3).

11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one segregation unit comprises a first segregation unit (4a) and a second segregation unit (6a), and wherein the first segregation unit (4a) is configured to receive the classified landfill waste (3) from the soil separator unit (1), and the second segregation unit (6a) is configured to receive segregated landfill waste (3) from the first segregation unit (4a).

12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second segregation unit (6a) comprises:
a flow creation unit, positioned proximal to and downstream of the at least one sieve (10) in the soil separator unit (1), the flow creation unit is configured to induce fluid pressure on the landfill waste (3) to segregate and sort based on volumetric mass of the landfill waste (3); and
a restrictor (8), located at predefined positions in the at least one segregation unit, the restrictor (8) is adjustably oriented at a predefined angle to restrict motion of the landfill waste (3) across the segregation unit, based on volumetric mass.

13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the restrictor (8) is defined with inverted V-profile, to selectively restrict motion and classify the biodegradable waste and the non-biodegradable waste based on volumetric mass across the segregation unit.

14. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the flow creation unit is at least one of a blower and a suction creation unit.