WASHING | TECHNOLOGY


cleaning phase for the plastic waste begins with the friction washer, which uses a large volume of circulating water in a constant cycle. This gives the contaminants a good soaking and makes them easier to remove during the second cleaning phase. The high-intensity washer then gives the pre-washed plastics a thorough, final cleaning. The contaminants are removed by means of powerful friction between the screen basket and the rotors in the centrifuge. The force applied by the cleaning system is strong enough to remove even difficult dirt. No additional water is required during this phase and the plastic is dewatered alongside the cleaning process. Krones has expanded its MetaPure technology


range to include a washing module for polyolefins. The company says that the recycling of polyolefins, such as HDPE or polypropylene, entails numerous challenges for the process involved. One of these is the recovery of the material with the resultant side-effects. This is because the packages involved are collected in household rubbish or in separate plastic bins or sacks. As these are usually not cleaned prior to recycling, the polyolefins are always in contact with organic residues like ketchup, oil, yoghurt, shampoo, household cleaning agents and other substances. However, downcycling is no longer a preferable option for these waste streams, and there are increasing demands for higher recycling rates for polyolefins as well. In order to meet these requirements, Krones has modified the process approach for its MetaPure W-PO washing module and developed a recycling technology precisely tailored to polyole- fins, enabling this type of plastic to be processed for creating an ecologically and economically top-quality product. The company also offers the MetaPure W-PET for washing PET flakes and MetaPure S for decontami- nation. In the MetaPure W-PET, the flakes are washed by passing them through several process steps (pre-treatment, caustic washing and hot post-washing), so as ultimately to obtain pure flakes ideally suited for being processed into fibres or films. If the PET flakes concerned have been earmarked for future re-use in the food or bever- age industry then they are fed into the MetaPure S. The decontamination module processes the washed flakes so as to ensure that they can be transformed into food-grade pellets, preforms and films. The MetaPure S offers low energy consump- tion and gentle material handling. Kreyenborg has developed the IR-Clean


infrared technology for degassing and decontami- nation of PCR PET bottle flakes. The company says


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


Above: Krones says use of its


MetaPure W-PO washing module leads to high-quality polyolefin recyclates


that the IRD B 180/270-135 is a particularly economical solution for the treatment of recycling material, which has already been awarded a Letter of Non-Objection by FDA in the US and positive results by EFSA in Europe. The PET post-consumer bottle flakes are poured into the rotary drum through a volumetric dosing system. Inside the drum, an in-welded helix and continuous rotation ensure a homogenous material flow at a pre-de- fined residence time. At the same time, the material is mixed and revolution of the surfaces takes place, which causes the infrared elements positioned above the material bed to achieve quick and even heating up. Infrared rotary drums work without vacuum technology and are designed according to each customer’s individual requirements as to their size and length. They can be designed either as a stand-alone solution or as a unit to be incorporated into a new or an existing extrusion line. The IRD B 180/270-135 has a diameter of 180cm, a length of 2.7m and is designed for material flows of up to 800 kg/h. The IR-Clean is a specific development of an infrared rotary drum especially for the treatment of PET recycling material. PET recycling material, which has been dried and decontaminated in the IR-Clean, can be used for packaging that comes directly in contact with foodstuffs.


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.herbold.com � www.lindner-washtech.com � www.dinos.si � www.erema.com � www.hydrodyn.de � www.upax.ru � www.bub-anlagenbau.de � www.plato-technology.de � www.krones.com � www.kreyenborg.com


July/August 2020 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 49


IMAGE: KRONES


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