Synthetic turf recycling and reclamation system and method

Abstract

A system and method for recycling and repurposing a synthetic turf field cover including a pre-existing mixture of rubber and sand particles embedded in the turf material. The system utilizes an aspirating machine for removing and separating the existing rubber and sand particles. The removed rubber particles are reused, and can be cleaned and sterilized prior to reinstallation. A method of recycling a synthetic turf field cover includes the steps of removing the existing synthetic turf field cover, aspirating pre-existing rubber and sand particles, sterilizing the rubber particles, reapplying the sterilized, reused rubber particles and applying additional rubber particles and sand to a replaced or reinstalled field turf cover.

1 . A method of recycling and reclaiming a synthetic turf system, which method comprises the steps of:
 providing a field cover comprising a synthetic turf layer; and   applying to said synthetic turf layer an in-fill layer of rubber and sand particles.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes the additional step of:
 providing said synthetic turf layer with a predetermined percentage of rubber and sand particles.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , which includes the additional step of:
 extracting an existing rubber and sand particle mixture from an existing synthetic turf field cover.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , which includes the additional step of:
 aspirating the rubber-sand mixture to remove sand therefrom.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , which includes the additional step of:
 cleaning the extracted rubber.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , which includes the additional steps of:
 removing the existing synthetic turf layer; and   laser-grading a base surface under said synthetic turf layer.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , which includes the additional step of:
 mending or replacing a containment membrane located between said base surface and said synthetic turf layer; and   reapplying the containment membrane.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , which includes the additional step of:
 reapplying the recovered rubber particles.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes additional steps of:
 providing an aspirator machine including an inlet, a cyclone separator, an outlet and a fan adapted for separating rubber and sand particles in said cyclone separator;   separating said rubber and sand particles in said cyclone separator; and   reapplying said separated rubber particles to said synthetic turf cover.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , which includes additional steps of:
 providing a drainage subsystem comprising multiple drainage pipes located under said grade level; and   draining water penetrating said synthetic turf cover, said membrane and said grade with said drainage subsystem.   
     
     
         11 . A method of recycling and repurposing a synthetic turf field cover system over a graded surface, which existing cover system includes a synthetic turf cover and a mixture of rubber and sand particles in said cover, which method comprises the steps of:
 removing the existing synthetic turf cover;   aspirating the existing rubber and sand particles;   recovering the existing rubber particles;   cleaning and disinfecting the existing, extracted rubber particles;   laser-grading the existing surface below said cover system;   mending or replacing the cover membrane;   applying a cover membrane over said graded surface;   adding additional rubber particles to said pre-existing rubber particles; and   applying said rubber particles to said synthetic turf cover according to a predetermined ratio of rubber-to-sand.   
     
     
         12 . A recycled and repurposed synthetic turf field cover system, which includes:
 a graded base;   a containment membrane placed over said base;   a synthetic turf cover placed over said membrane; and   a mixture of rubber and sand particles placed on said synthetic turf cover.   
     
     
         13 . The cover system of  claim 12 , which includes:
 pre-existing rubber particles aspirated, cleaned and combined with sand and additional rubber particles, said mixture being adapted for application to said cover.   
     
     
         14 . The cover system of  claim 12 , which includes:
 a laser-graded base for said synthetic turf cover.   
     
     
         15 . The cover system of  claim 12 , which includes:
 said additional rubber particles comprising ground, recycled vehicle tires.   
     
     
         16 . The cover system of  claim 12 , which includes an aspirating machine with a cyclone separator, an inlet, an outlet and a fan providing an airflow through said aspirating machine.