S Series Ring Pelletizer

"We've developed an exciting new evolution in Water Ring Pelletizer design," said Don Macnamara, describing the introduction of Beringer's new "S"-Series pelletizing systems. Macnamara is Director of Sales and Marketing for Beringer.

Beringer's "S" Series hot die face Water Ring Pelletizers feature several new process design changes. Key changes involve advances in agglomerate reduction, pellet temperature control and fines filtration. "There is a threshold between 1,500 and 2, 000 lbs./hr. that, once crossed, results in process and production problems for common water ring pelletizers arranged with slurry troughs," Macnamara explained. "At these higher rates, pellet concentration in the trough prevents adequate cooling, resulting in exit pellet temperatures that can be hot enough to fuse pellets or melt a gaylord liner. Additionally, this high concentration of floating pellets creates a log jam at the dryer entrance, forcing lengthy pellet contact and agglomeration."

The "S"-Series pelletizers solve these problems by eliminating the slurry trough and totally submersing the pellet production. This greatly reduces process sensitivity by eliminating trough pitch and flow rate adjustments and dependence on operator skill. Immersion allows for highly efficient heat transfer from the pellets to the water and provides a turbulent flow which prevents pellet contact and significantly reduces the potential for agglomerate formation.

"This is especially true for materials that are slow to cool, like polypropylene and for materials that are sticky, like EVA," said Macnamara. "Also, since the operator no longer has to deal with sensitive trough pitch adjustments, the 'S'-Series pelletizers can easily process all known specific gravity polymers, filled and unfilled." Slurry dewatering is automatic and dryer efficiency is improved since a constant, known minimal amount of water enters the dryer. The "S"-Series water circulation system is continuously filtered through high capacity bag filters fitted to the dewatering and dryer drain lines. "This differs from the old style filter trays which had very limited capacity and required constant cleaning," Macnamara explained.

"The 'S'-Series filter bags will effectively trap large volumes of fines and can be changed out or cleaned within seconds and without shutting down the line." Safety issues were carefully researched and, as a result, the "S"-Series pelletizers are designed to achieve the maximum in operator safety. Accessible moving parts are interlocked to prevent contact. Pelletizer and extruder drives are interlocked to shut down the entire line in the event of a failure. All electrical leads are protected with armored cable or flexible conduit and arranged to minimize the possibility of mechanical damage.

Beringer's "S"-Series Water Ring Pelletizers are currently available in two models sized for production rates of 1,500 to 3,500 lbs./hr. and for rates from 3,000 to 6,000 lbs./hr.

Dynisco, 1291 19th Street Lane NW. Tel: 828-326-9888; Fax: 828-326-8882.