machinery feature | Mixers
Farrel Pomini’s CP4000 bridges the gap between standard continuous mixers and non-unitized, high- output models
standard FCM (48 to 203.2 mm in diameter), and a CPXL or extra-long version optimized for high fi ller loadings, temperature-sensitive materials and reduced energy use. The FCM rotors have 6:1 L/D ratios, while CPXL versions have two stages and 10:1 ratios. The mixers handle diverse
materials. These include: highly fi lled and pigmented polyolefi ns,
Two CP4000 mixers have been sold to undisclosed
compounders in Europe, Lloyd reports. The new larger model is more expensive than previous sizes, as you’d expect, but is claimed to deliver a better return-on- investment. “Volume helps [the bottom line] in our busi- ness. Customers can expect lower cost per kilogram and better ROI with the CP4000,” he says. CP Series II sizes range from 125 to 4,000 kg/hour – the number of each machine denotes nominal throughput in kilograms. Each system has an integrated mixer and extruder, as well as a controller that regulates upstream and downstream equipment. Systems are wired, piped, pre-tested and shipped ready for installation. The mixer mounts on top of the frame and accepts
FR rotors from TPEI are installed with couplings, so the driveshaft bearing block doesn’t need to be accessed
multiple feed systems and material types. It has a gravity chute through which processed material discharges to a hot-feed extruder below. This is equipped with a pumping screw (to minimize heat build-up), screen-changer and pelletizing system. Each mixer is equipped with twin-lobe, elliptic,
counter-rotating, non-intermeshing rotors that produce distributive mixing while maintaining short residence time and, consequently, a low heat history in materials and lower-than-average energy use. Two rotor versions are available for the mixers: the
PVC, styrenics, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonate and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs); calcium carbon- ate, titanium dioxide, carbon black and colorant master- batches; fl ame-retardant compounds; recyclates; and biopolymers.
An important feature of the CP machines is their modularity, and Farrel Pomini has been adding components to optimize processing. The latest is the Self-Aligning Seal (SAS), which was developed by R&D manager Stuart Sardinskas based on customer feedback. The device provides a solid mechanical seal that keeps pellets and powders within the feed section of the mixing chamber.
The SAS uses an air cushion to automatically align with the outer-diameter clearance of the rotor shafts. This maintains an impervious seal that prevents material migration. Lloyd says that although the CP mixers are designed for starve-feeding, they sometimes back up, which is when the seal is especially useful. The device is available on new machines and as a retrofi t.
Other components allow compounders to fi ne-tune
processing. Farrel Pomini has long maintained that by adjusting a handful of process variables – feed rate, rotor speed, chamber temperature and the throttle gate output – its continuous mixers can produce a range of compounds without changing their hardware. Adjustable mixing-dam assemblies, for example, can
be raised or lowered as necessary to restrict fl ow and thereby increase energy and shear during mixing, rather than wait until material reaches the orifi ce, which regulates discharge to the extruder. They can also be confi gured to accept ports for additives. A vent plunger regulated by a timer can be added at the end of the mixer to automatically vent moisture and other volatiles while enhancing throughput rates. Lloyd says the device is more effi cient than conventional stationary vents, which may clog during operation and require immediate cleaning. The orifi ce is adjustable to control melt residence time. The device opens to whatever degree is necessary to increase or decrease work to the material prior to discharge.
54 COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2014
www.compoundingworld.com
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