New BKG pellet dryer design reduces cost of wear from glass-filled and abrasive compounds

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PHOTO: The rotor within the pellet dryer. The new design considerably reduces maintenance costs

A NEW-DESIGN pellet dryer for use with Nordson Corporation’s BKG® pelletizing systems meets the challenge posed by the steady growth in use of glass-filled and other abrasive materials by substantially reducing the time and cost associated with replacing wear parts.

The design reduces the number, complexity and cost of the dryer components that are subject to abrasion and makes them more accessible to maintenance or replacement. The new design reduces production downtime by simplifying maintenance, making it possible for one person to carry out maintenance tasks.

“We have seen a reduction in maintenance times by up to 70%,” said Matthias Köhler, operations manager at the Domo Engineering Plastics GmbH facility in Premnitz, Germany. “It is now possible to determine concrete maintenance intervals, so downtime becomes more plannable and less unexpected.”

Domo, an initial user of the new pellet dryer, installed the unit on an existing underwater pelletizing line that processes polyamide 6 compounds with up to 50% glass fibre content.

There are a number of design enhancements for reducing wear or simplifying maintenance, including the rotor design. Due to the optimized pellet inlet, the rotor has been simplified, especially in the lower area, and wear is minimised by the reduced impact of abrasive pellets. Other measures taken to reduce or eliminate wear from pellet flow include a new cover plate design and countersinking of screw heads.

www.domochemicals.com