PETpla.net Insider 06 / 2016

MATERIAL / RECYCLING 27 PET planet insider Vol. 17 in processing highly contaminated feed streams. The central component of the Eco melt filter is a rotating, cylindrical filter screen with millions of conical holes that can be sup- plied with a wide variety of screen sizes. When melt flows through the filter, contaminants are retained on the outside of the screen – in addi- tion to solid contaminants such as aluminium and black specks as well. High-molecular and cross-linked frac- tions which arise due to high tempera- ture stresses are separated from the melt stream along with gels. The cleaned melt on the inside of the drum is supplied to the downstream die via a system of flow channels. The contaminants are wiped clean from the filter surface after each rota- tion of the screen. They are then discharged from the unit by means of a discharge shaft. If contamination levels spike causing the pressure to rise, the drum automati- cally increases speed. This is said to ensure a steady pressure at all times. Unlike many backflush systems, the purge from the Eco con- tains a high percentage of contamination. The interval between screen changes can last several weeks or even months depending on the material and level of con- tamination. During this time, the melt pressure is said to remain stable. The unit is designed to remove con- tamination levels as high as 1.5% by weight. Two sizes are available depending on the capacity requirements: The Eco 200 is for through- puts up to 1,500kg/h and as the Eco 250 for a maximum of 3,000kg/h. In addition to polyolefin melts, it is also suitable for filtering easy- flowing materials such as PET or PA. With their com- pact design Eco melt filters can be retrofitted in existing extrusion lines. www.motan-colortronic.co.uk www.ettlinger.com Ettlinger Kunststoffmaschinen GmbH was founded in 1983. The German company has its headquarters in Königsbrunn, not far from Augsburg. Its core competency is the development and manufacture of injection mould- ing machines and high performance melt filters for continuous filtration of heavily contaminated feedstock. Contaminants like paper, aluminium, wood, silicones, or high-melting polymer composites can be removed from all standard polymer materials. Ettlinger’s new agent in the UK and Ireland is Motan Colortronic Limited of Chesterfield.