Niedernberg, Germany — Intelligent Pelletizing Solutions GmbH & Co. KG developed a compact rotary drum for the inline crystallization of PET pellets to supplement its IPS-UWG S underwater pelletizing system and as a stand-alone device.
Before PET can be processed for packaging, bottles and fibers, the material has to be dried and crystallized. The German company says its ips-DR/K rotary drum makes the gentle and energy-efficient crystallization of PET pellets possible with degrees of crystallization of up to 30 percent, depending on product and application.
The company says its ips-DR/K has a compact, horizontal design and process guidance that is suitable for continual production and the efficient crystallization of amorphous PET pellets and grinding stock. Permanent movement — without external power supply — prevents the amorphous PET pellets from clumping and sticking together during the crystallization process, the company adds.
Throughputs of up to 2,500 kilograms per hour can be achieved in continuous operation.
The amorphous PET pellets progress directly from the IPS-GT brand pellet dryer into the rotary drum with the pellet temperature above the necessary crystallization start temperature. Use of the PET pellets' own thermal energy makes them crystallize.
The company says external energy application by infrared heaters, for example, is not necessary because of the special layout of the conveyor elements, which gently transports and separates the PET pellets at the same time at an optimum speed range to prevent abrasion and damage to the product.
The rotary drum is driven by a three-phase alternating current motor, which has a continuously variable speed.
Access to the conveyor elements on the inside allows the rotary drum to be cleaned and serviced quickly and easily.