The simulation using the Advanced Discrete Element Method-Computational Fluid Dynamics (ADEM-CFD) model analyzed the motion and breakage behavior of particles during wet ball milling in order to investigate the effects of the collision velocity and angle between two grinding balls on the particle grinding behavior. The analyses showed that the particles were more damaged when the grinding balls collided with a faster collision velocity in closer to a normal collision direction. The degree of the particle damage was quantified by the release energy, which was defined with the potential energy released by breaking the internal bonds of the particles. The release energy was strongly related to the normal components of the impact energy calculated from the collision velocity between two grinding balls.

An innovative dry coating technique has been developed for polymer sintering filters. This method involves fusing two types of particles, low melting point and high melting point, onto the filter. Compared to liquid coating, this technique offers several advantages, including the suppression of pore blockage by binders, reduced coating unevenness during manufacturing operations, high freedom in particle selection, and the ability to achieve various coatings. This approach enables the provision of enhanced filters that fulfill both user requirements and environmental regulations.

Labor shortage is one of issues at small scale municipal waste incineration facilities in Japan. Expert operators operate waste cranes depending on the state such as waste conditions or amount in the waste pit. We developed an AI waste crane operating system that includes waste image classification AI and pit state judgement AI. The AI crane operating system confirmed the work time reduction of “human” crane operators for over one year validating operation.

In order to effectively utilize the nitrogen component of precious metal smelting by-products, nitrate was separated and used for developing solid fertilizer. The solid fertilizer contained in plastic hollow rods with pores of appropriate component elution and persistence investigated in advance was installed above nori (seaweed) growing net. As a result, it was confirmed that the color tone of nori laver was improved in 4 days, indicating the solid fertilizer was effective.

Spray dryers are used in various fields because they have the advantage of being able to produce powder that is easy to handle. It is said that the narrow particle size distribution of powder is preferable in industrial manufacturing. Rotary disks are frequently used because it is said to be able to produce powders with the narrowest particle size distribution for liquid atomization. On a rotary disk, large particles are generated from a thick liquid film of raw material, and small particles are generated from a thin liquid film. So, it is important to form a uniform liquid film on the disk for narrowing the particle diameter distribution. Atomization process by the method of conventional supplying liquid raw material is shown below. 1 Supply the liquid raw material onto the disk. 2 Liquid film is formed by being stretched on the disk. 3 Droplets are generated by splitting the liquid film. In the supply state of the liquid raw material of the conventional device, it was difficult to form a uniform liquid film due to biased liquid supply. In the new atomization device, the liquid raw material is supplied on the disk as air-liquid mixed flow. By using such a new supply method, it was confirmed that liquid film on the disk became uniform and the particle size distribution of the product was narrow.

The Jumping Screen was developed by Hein, Lehmann GmbH in Germany, and we have focused on its principle and developed our own technology. Nowadays many users apply the Jumping Screen to the field of recycling, such as screening construction wastes, pulverized glass and plasterboards, garbage that will be repurposed as compost, and so on. In this report, we will briefly introduce the structure and operating principles of the Jumping Screen, along with highlight several of its achievements.

The Jumping Screen has several remarkable advantages such as applicability to strongly adhesive materials, which otherwise would cause clogging, because of the telescopic movement of the screen itself. Perceptions of recycling and its importance are increasingly favorable on a global scale as time progresses. We hope that we can contribute to the technology behind recycling more than ever by the proliferation of the Jumping Screen.