Systems and methods for processing mixed solid waste

Abstract

Methods and systems for separating a mixed waste into a wet organic fraction, a dry organic fraction, and an inorganic fraction are achieved by (i) comminuting the mixed solid waste, (ii) fractionating the comminuted stream by size to produce two or more particle-sized waste streams, and (iii) processing one or more of the particle-sized waste streams using density separation to produce an intermediate wastes stream, and (iv) recovering a homogenous product (e.g., a recyclable material or an organic fuel) from the intermediate waste stream.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for separating solid waste comprising:
 providing a mixed solid waste stream that includes wet organic waste, dry organic waste, and inorganic waste;   comminuting the mixed solid waste to produce a comminuted waste having a first size distribution;   fractionating the comminuted solid waste by size to produce an under fraction and an over fraction;   fractionating the over fraction by density in a first density separation unit to produce a first intermediate waste stream;   fractionating the under fraction by density in a second density separation unit to produce a second intermediate waste stream; and   recovering a plurality of products from the first intermediate waste stream or the second intermediate waste stream, or a combination thereof.