45 TRADE SHOW REVIEW PETplanet Insider Vol. 22 No. 10/21 www.petpla.net The newest generation AUTOSORT® enhances capacity, quality and purity levels across every application. Thanks to its integrated patented features, the multifunctional sorting solution offers the perfect combination of state-of-theart technologies in a single, compact unit. See how it works PRECISION THAT PAYS OFF NEW AUTOSORT® – the most advanced sorting functionality in one machine. WITH TOMRA INSIGHT Pelletising and melt-delivery systems for producing virgin-like rPET by Frank Asmuss, Business Development Manager, and Stefan Wöstmann, Application Engineer, Nordson Corporation The worldwide boom in demand for recycled PET (rPET) has generated new challenges for polymer processing systems used to transform molten polymer from PET fl ake into high-quality material for reuse. By far the biggest challenge involves bottle-to-bottle recycling, where regulatory and marketing mandates now call for a dramatic increase in bottle collection and use of rPET in new packaging. Downstream of the extruder, the key equipment in rPET production lines includes so-called “melt delivery” components - gear pumps and screen changers; pelletising systems; and, as required, systems for crystallising pelletised material. Among the major post-extrusion challenges faced by processors of PET fl ake are intensifying requirements for: High levels of purity. Bottle fl ake feedstock includes considerable amounts of contaminants such as labels, metals, paper, wood, and plastics other than PET. These substances must be fi ltered out by the screen changer. Melt pressure stability. A gear pump provides the uniform melt flow and pressure required for the process to operate effi ciently and with uniformly high-quality product. The pressure requirements for each component downstream of the extruder must be calculated to determine the appropriate extruder drive rate and type of gear pump. Fineness of melt fi ltration. A fi neness of 25-30 μm is essential for bottle-to-
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