Emerging Acquisitions, LLC

Thomas Brooks

James Cole

Christopher Parr

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery facility (MRF). A control system receives data from set of sensors that reflect a status of the MRF. The control system determines an operating status of various MRF components (e.g., material handling units (MHUs), sensors, and/or other elements) and/or a composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. The control system controls MHU(s) based on the data to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recoverable materials from the waste stream. The control system may rearranging MHUs within the MRF and/or re-tasking individual MHUs to perform different handling functions. Machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence (AI) mechanisms can be used to optimize the operation of the MRF in an autonomous fashion. Other aspects are also disclosed.

Autonomous data collection and system control for material recovery facilities

Disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for autonomous data collection and system control of a material recovery or recycling facility. In some embodiments, a central control system receives inputs in the form of at least one data stream from each of one or more environmental sensors that reflect the status of a material recovery facility (MRF). The inputs are used to determine the operating status of one or more components of the MRF, and/or composition of a waste stream being processed by the MRF. At least one material handling unit is controlled in response to the inputs to optimize the recovery and/or purity of recyclable or recoverable materials from the waste stream. A service unit or mechanism may also be controlled in response to the inputs indicating that a component of the MRF requires servicing.

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Eugene, OR, United States of America

Thomas Brooks