Mann+Hummel ProTec: Expertise and efficienct technologies in the processing of PET

The new generation of stationary modular dryers from the SOMOS® D series: constructional, procedural and control-technical innovations result in high operating comfort, renewed improvement in energy efficiency and a significantly broader application area.

At this year’s Interpack in Düsseldorf (May 12th – 18th), MANN+HUMMEL ProTec will present know-how and innovative systems for efficient material handling. The focus is on the treatment of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a packaging material used in a wide variety of applications.

In Düsseldorf, MANN+HUMMEL ProTec will present the latest, most up-to-date technologies and systems in the areas of material drying, crystallization and condensate separation in the drying process. Exemplary for the new generation of stationary material drying systems, a SOMOS® D 200 dry air dryer (air flow rate 200 m3/h) will be presented at Interpack. A new, powerful controller (MH 25) now controls the triggering of the dew point-constant dry air with the D-dryer. In combination with additional design innovations it leads to a significantly more flexible application of the dryers. The SOMOS® D 200 dryer presented at the trade fair can be, for example, “expanded” from nominally 200 m3/h up to 500 m3/h by adjustment in control technology. With this, the reliably dried material throughput can be increased from originally max. 100 kg/h up to 250 kg/h without extra hardware. At the same time, the also newly designed process control of the dryer’s rotary desiccant container leads to a significantly reduced time for the regeneration of the drying agent, so that the energy required for this can be used more effectively.

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The presented D 200 dryer can be modularly combined and flexibly expanded to a drying facility customised to meet the respective processing function with drying hoppers from 50 to 300 litres in volume. For PET processing in packaging applications, where material throughputs ranging from 500 to 2,000 kg/h are standard nowadays, correspondingly larger sized dryers and dryer hoppers are available. The optional extension of the operating mode is even implemented in the design of these higher nominal sizes of the new SOMOS® D-dryer generation.

The modular condensate separator consists of three serially connected units: during the drying process, the pre-filter module, the cooling unit and demister module remove all quality-reducing volatile impurities from the material to by dried. Photos: MANN+HUMMEL ProTec

The new modular condensate separator will also be presented at Interpack. With this, the return air from the drying hopper which is essential e.g. for the processing of PET flakes can be freed from all volatile matters (for example, monomers, by-products and dust particles). Controlled separation and collection of these material impurities makes it possible to transport them directly to waste recycling.

The modular condensate separator consists of three serially connected units: the pre-filter module for dust separation from process air, the cooling unit for cooling contaminating substances below the dew point, and finally a demister module as the actual condensate separator. All modular units are easily accessible and can be cleaned quickly and easily. The modular design facilitates flexible adaptation of the modular condensate separator to changing manufacturing conditions through expansion and combination of the individual units.

Whether for injection moulding of preforms or for extrusion into films, PET always needs to be dried and for amorphous basic materials it also needs to be crystallised. If recycled PET is processed in the form of postconsumer flakes for economic and environmental considerations, it is also necessary to remove quality-reducing, volatile impurities and by-products safely from the drying and moulding process. The systems engineering necessary for these process steps, presented at Interpack and proven many times for PET treatment in the meantime, is in principle also suited for the treatment of biopolymers such as PLA (polylactide) and is currently being tested in operation in pilot projects.

More Information: www.mh-protec.com

Interpack 2011, 12.-18. May 2011, Düsseldorf, Germany

Mann+Hummel ProTec GmbH, Bensheim

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