ECON innovates with the PET-Edition, an energy-efficient underwater pelletizer for PET granulation, featuring patented insulation tech and low acetaldehyde content for recycling efficiency.
In the granulation of PET, an energy-efficient process and a certain degree of crystallization are crucial. When a customer approached ECON with these specific requirements, the technological pioneer and reliable development partner embarked on designing an underwater pelletizer tailored to these needs.
The result of these efforts is the impressive ECON PET-Edition, optimized for PET and fully aligned with the high standards demanded of pelletizers in today’s sector.
Thanks to ECON’s patented thermal insulation technology, a simple, save and secure startup process is achieved. By preventing heat transfer from the die-plate unit to the process water, not only freezing of the die-holes is prevented, but significant energy cost savings are also realized.
Extra attention has been given to the insulation of the water reservoir and pipes to achieve a final pellet temperature of at least 140 °C. ECON provides customized solutions to ensure the required final pellet temperature, depending on the specific needs of the customer.
Both the pelletizer and downstream equipment, such as the ECS (ECON Crystallization System for PET), are designed with minimal energy consumption as a starting point.
The ECS utilizes the intrinsic heat of the pellets for crystallization, making it one of the most efficient methods for crystallizing PET. The system is designed to maintain PET pellets at a constant temperature and achieve a crystallization degree of 30-40%.
Gentle vibrations in the crystallization channel transport and mix the pellets to prevent sticking during crystallization. This high degree of crystallization enables less pre-drying of the pellets, resulting in significant time and energy savings in subsequent processing, such as injection molding.
In the food industry, low acetaldehyde content of recycled PET is required to comply with legal guidelines. The ECON PET-Edition aims for significantly better values than conventional granulation systems.
By reducing pressure build-up at the die-plate by 40%, a lower acetaldehyde content of 30-40% was achieved immediately after granulation. This innovation not only has positive implications for the food industry but also leads to expected lower energy consumption during the dehydration phase.
The ECON PET-Edition provides a highly energy-efficient solution for the granulation of rPET/PET, making a valuable contribution to the circular economy. In the world of PET recycling, the kW/t value of recycled material significantly impacts the profitability of production lines.
The use of ECON Technology, therefore, offers a considerable competitive advantage, making it a smart choice for companies aiming for sustainability and efficiency in their production processes.
If you are curious about the benefits the ECON PET-Edition can bring to your process, please contact ECON’s Benelux partner SPS | Solids Process Solutions.
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