High-Throughput Cartridge Lengthens Filter Life and Enhances Product Quality in a Pet Recycling Line Supplied by Starlinger
In a Starlinger recoSTAR® Line Installed at a European Recycling Company, New Nordson Kreyenborg Screen Changer Cartridge Increases Filter Life Up to Nine Times
MÃœNSTER, GERMANY, – A screen changer filter cartridge designed to resist deformation and enhance polymer flow has enabled the operator of a high-throughput PET recycling line supplied by Starlinger recycling technology to reduce the frequency of filter replacement and improve pellet quality, it was announced today by Nordson Corporation, which will display the new cartridge at NPE2015 (Booth W6263).
Installed in a “bottle-to-bottle” recycling line at a European company, Starlinger’s recoSTAR® PET 165 HC iV+ recycling line includes a Nordson Kreyenborg K-SWE-4K-75/RS screen changer situated between the extruder and the underwater pelletizer. The line, which operates “24/7/365,” converts PET bottle flakes to rPET with positive opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for re-use in bottles, with adjustable intrinsic viscosity levels depending on application.
When Starlinger’s customer replaced a standard filter medium in the screen changer with the new Nordson Kreyenborg filter cartridge, the filter life was lengthened from eight to 72 hours, according to Christian Lovranich, head of process engineering at Starlinger recycling technology.
Besides prolonging filter life, the design innovations of the new filter cartridge also address the requirements of high-throughput systems such as the 1.400 to 1.600 kg/h (3,086 to 3,527 lb./hr.) Starlinger line. “The larger filter area of the cartridge and the elimination of stagnation zones reduce pressure variations that can detract from pellet quality,” said Mr. Lovranich. “In addition, there is less material lost in backflushing, and there are no metal impurities.”
In addition to the considerable increase in screen life, a 40% reduction of the backflush amount compared to the previous system (a conventional backflush filter) was realized. The resulting waste reduction alone led to a short pay-back of the replacement investment. The available filter area is 1.672 cm2 (260 sq.in.) and the filtration fineness is 50 µm with the used screens.
The robust, stable structure of the new filter cartridge prevents pressure loss and deformation of the steel filter fabric, or screen medium, enabling it to withstand the high mechanical stresses encountered during production startup, noted Christian Schröder, research and applications engineer for Nordson PPS GmbH.
“Our new filter cartridge is an alternative to standard filter discs, in which surface area is increased through pleating of the filter fabric-that is, installation of the fabric in a wave or wrinkle pattern instead of being flat,” said Mr. Schröder. “The pleating makes the fabric susceptible to mechanical stresses, which can reduce the efficiency of melt filtration by causing the pleated layers to be pushed together or squeezed during processing. This also reduces the working life of the filter.”
Starlinger recycling technology, a division of Austrian-based Starlinger Co. Ges.m.b.H., provides machine solutions for the recycling and refining of a wide scope of plastics such as PE, PP, PA, PS, BOPP and PET. Starlinger PET recycling systems produce food-safe rPET and are approved for use in food applications by many brand owners as well as various national and international authorities. Visit http://www.starlinger.com/en/recycling.
Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures and markets differentiated products and systems used for the precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, polymers, plastics and other materials, fluid management, test and inspection, UV curing and plasma surface treatment, all supported by application expertise and direct global sales and service. Nordson serves a wide variety of consumer non-durable, durable and technology end markets including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, construction, and general product assembly and finishing. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the company has operations and support offices in more than 30 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at http://www.nordson.com, @Nordson_Corp.
Nordson Polymer Processing Systems provides customers with engineered components to melt, homogenize, dispense, and give shape to plastic and fluid coating materials. Nordson Corporation leverages the collective plastics industry experience from a series of strategic acquisitions to offer a uniquely broad portfolio of industry-leading technologies. Nordson delivers a full range of precision melt stream products - from screws and barrels for extrusion and injection molding - to filtration systems, pumps, and valves - to the extrusion dies and pelletizing systems to meet the constantly evolving needs of the polymer industry.
Nordson Corporation provides customers with local technical sales, service and remanufacturing capabilities through sales organizations and regional manufacturing facilities in over 30 countries. To learn more visit us at http://www.nordsonpolymerprocessing.com.
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