Cleaning and drying,
Compacting

Plast Compactor

Type: PC

The WIPA Plast Compactor of the PC series is used for the gentle compaction of plastics with a low bulk density, for example:

– fibers
– Slides
– Stretch films
– foams
– Powders
– Dust

During the process in the WIPA Plast Compactor, the bulk density of the plastic is increased, turning the plastic into an agglomerate that can be easily dosed and has a high bulk density with the lowest possible thermal damage.

WIPA Plast Compactor

The procedure

If the conveyor elements move backwards, the conveyor elements contact each other and slide backwards through the material with little resistance. Very little material is retracted and the WiPa system consumes up to 75% less energy than conventional systems. While conveyor rails 1 and 3 move forwards, rails 2 and 4 move in the opposite direction. This takes place in continuous alternation. Thanks to the modular design of the containers, sizes from 6 to 1000m3 can be produced on the basis of identical or similar parts. The Silos can also be upgraded at a later date with little effort.

Gentle compaction

The thermal effect on the material in the WiPa Plast Compactor is much lower than with conventional agglomerators, which work in a discontinuous process, or extruders, as the material only remains in the WIPA Plast Compactor for a few seconds. The melting point is not reached here, as the material is only brought to a doughy state and determines itself when it leaves the panes.

The agglomerate

During the process, finger-sized agglomerates are produced, which are cut to the desired particle size in a downstream granulator. The size of the agglomerate is defined by a sieve installed in the granulator. To cool down the material and avoid the formation of dust and fines in the end product, the agglomerate is sent through a fines separation and fines return unit before it reaches the Silos or Big Bags.

Agglomeration and drying

The WIPA Plast Compactor is generally used to increase the bulk density of plastics. Nevertheless, it is used in other areas, for example to efficiently dry the material after a washing line. During the process, the material is heated so that moisture evaporates and the material moisture is reduced to approx. 0.1%. In this state, the material is ready for further processing in an extruder or injection molding machine.

Compounding

Additives and fillers such as colorants, plasticizers, etc. can be fed directly to the Plast Compactor’s feed screw via the special dosing units. The material is heated and homogenized in the agglomeration process so that the fillers can be absorbed. This achieves an even distribution of additives and fillers in the plastic, which enables an improved combination of properties in the end product.

Crystallization of pet regrind

The WPA Plast Compactor is ideal for crystallizing PET regrind, for example after a hot wash. The material is heated until it takes on a doughy state. The crystallization of PET begins at a temperature of approx. 120 – 140°C, which the WiPa Plast Compactor reaches quickly and gently. The viscosity value remains almost unchanged, as the melting point is not reached during the process. This enables efficient crystallization of the PET material, which leads to an improved quality of the end product.

The procedure

1
Input
2
Process
3
Agglomerate
1
Input
2
Process
3
Agglomerate

Type PC 700

All data at a glance

Technical data
PC 300
PC 500
PC 600
PC 700
PC 850
PC 1400
Main drive kW
30 – 75
75 – 160
110 – 200
160 – 315
315 – 630
400 – 1000
Bulk density
g/l
Throughput
kg/hour
kg/hour
kg/hour
kg/hour
kg/hour
kg/hour
HDPE
370
280 – 350
480 – 700
750 – 1200
1150 – 2000
1700 – 3000
2500 – 4000
PE film
350
200 – 500
500 – 800
750 – 1150
800 – 1600
1200 – 2100
2000 – 3500
PE foam
350
200 – 500
400 – 700
700 – 1050
750 – 1400
1000 – 1650
2000 – 3200
PP fleece
390
150 – 300
400 – 700
700 – 1250
750 -1400
1050 – 1850
2000 – 3100
PS Foil
460
150 – 300
300 – 700
700 – 1200
750 – 1300
1100 – 1900
2150 – 3250
EPS
500
180 – 300
300 – 700
700 – 1200
750 – 1200
1000 – 1600
1900 – 2700
PVC film
600
250 – 400
300 – 700
750 – 1250
800 – 1500
1150 – 1850
2100 – 3100
PVC foam
500
250 – 400
300 – 700
700 – 1200
800 – 1450
1000 – 1650
1850 – 2700
PET film
600
200 – 300
600 – 900
750 – 1350
800 – 1700
1150 – 2150
2100 – 3400
PET fibers
600
150 – 300
400 – 600
750 – 1100
850 -1450
1200 – 1750
2000 – 2600
PET foam
550
100 – 250
250 – 600
550 – 1000
650 – 1100
1000 – 1550
1700 – 2400
PET fleece
600
200 – 350
400 – 700
650 – 1250
800 – 1750
1100 – 2150
1800 – 2600
PET regrind (bottles)
550
200 – 400
400 – 1000
700 – 1300
950 – 1800
1380 – 2200
2400 – 3900
PA Foil
430
150 – 300
400 – 900
650 – 1250
850 – 1650
1200 – 2100
2150 – 3400
PA 6 / 6.6 fibers
450
150 – 250
400 – 900
650 – 1050
800 – 1250
1000 – 1700
2000 – 3200
Carpet waste
390
100 – 250
350 – 600
600 – 1000
800 – 1200
1000 – 1600
1900 – 2900
Synthetic rubber
420
150 – 400
250 – 700
650 – 1500
800 – 1850
1100 – 2200
2100 – 3200
Wood-plastics
350
150 – 350
250 – 600
650 – 1350
800 – 1650
1000 – 1900
2000 – 300

Throughput rates and technical data are based on experience and may vary depending on the material.