New filtration and extrusion technology
Gneuss, Hall 9, Booth A38
Gneuss Filtration Technology will be exhibiting different models of the patented Rotary Filtration Systems. These continuous filtration systems are characterised by a filter disk on which the screen cavities are located in a ring pattern. Screens can be changed on the part of the filter disk that is not active in the melt channel, while the production process continues to run without interruptions or disturbances. The new model SFneos offers a constant pressure during screen changes. It is suitable for most types of polymers and viscosities and it has a compact design thanks to an enlarged active screen area (up to 2,370 cm2). The SFneos is a filtration system for applications that benefit from a continuous, pressure and process constant screen changer, but that do not require back-flushing. The SFneos 90 on display has an active screen area of 260 cm2. Gneuss’ top model, the RSFgenius, operates with an integrated self-cleaning. Screens can be automatically re-used up to 400 times and filtration finenesses below 10 microns/1,200 mesh are available. There will be different sizes on display.
Gneuss will show a Processing Unit (GPU) including a second generation Multi Rotation System MRS110 extruder, a fully automatic melt filtration system RSFgenius 90 and a new style online viscometer VIS, for the processing of 600 kg/h of undried and uncrystallised polyester (PET).
At the K show the second-generation design will be on display. The enhanced drive design is more robust to handle even more demanding recycling environments. Thanks to several changes in the MRS drum and screw design the IV retention has been further improved, while continuing to eliminate pre-drying. The MRS extruder permits the processing of PET without pre-drying by using a water ring vacuum system to process the material directly to high quality end products such as packaging sheet, strapping tape or filaments. This is achieved by its patented processing section. Based on a conventional single screw extruder, the Multi Rotation Section is a drum containing eight satellite single screws, driven by a ring gear and pinion transmission. The “barrels” cut into the drum are approximately 30% open and provide high exposure of the melt
Thanks to this design, the devolatilising performance is about fifty times greater than that of a conventional vented single screw extruder – with a vacuum of 25 to 40 mbar. While other dryerless technologies are promoting partial pre-drying, the MRS extruder can process rPET with up to 1 % moisture content. By avoiding the need for a deep vacuum system and pre-drying, the MRS is an economically efficient alternative. Further arguments in its favour besides energy savings are the simple and rugged design, small footprint, its ease of operation and low maintenance, processing flexibility and its melt quality and homogeneity. A Letter of Non Objection (LNO) from the FDA, EFSA conformity and several local approvals in Latin America confirm the decontamination efficiency of this technology.
