Plastics Recycling

Deodorization in Plastics Recycling: An End to Unpleasant Odors

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Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim develop highly efficient deodorization solutions for every stage of the plastics recycling process chain.
Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim develop highly efficient deodorization solutions for every stage of the plastics recycling process chain.
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During extrusion and compounding in the ZSK Recycling Extruder, highly efficient Vacuum devolatilization technology ensures the reliable removal of dissolved gases, enhancing the sensory quality of the product.
During extrusion and compounding in the ZSK Recycling Extruder, highly efficient Vacuum devolatilization technology ensures the reliable removal of dissolved gases, enhancing the sensory quality of the product.
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The ZS-EG twin screw side degassing unit reliably removes odors in plastics recycling processes.
The ZS-EG twin screw side degassing unit reliably removes odors in plastics recycling processes.
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Coperion’s EcoFresh silo devolatilization solutions ensure that any residual odors are removed, resulting in a product that is on par with new plastic in terms of odor quality.
Coperion’s EcoFresh silo devolatilization solutions ensure that any residual odors are removed, resulting in a product that is on par with new plastic in terms of odor quality.
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Using the mobile deodorizing unit, specific odor reduction potential can be tested at your location on freshly produced product under actual production conditions.
Using the mobile deodorizing unit, specific odor reduction potential can be tested at your location on freshly produced product under actual production conditions.
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Reliable deodorization solutions for plastic recycling: from mechanical preprocesing to twin screw degassing and silo odor removal. See the results at our Recycling Innovation Center.

Unpleasant odors in recycled plastics caused by surface contaminants, solvent residue, additives, foreign materials, or the lingering smell of the original contents must be completely removed. It is a difficult, very multifaceted process – but we have the solution. Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim have combined their unrivaled plastics processing expertise to develop highly efficient deodorization solutions for every stage of the plastics recycling Process chain, including:

→ washing
→ bulk material handling
→ extrusion and compounding
→ finished product handling.

Suitable for post-industrial and post-consumer waste recycling, Coperion-Herbold deodorization solutions remove the source of noxious smells, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Our deodorization technologies are tailored to match your application requirements and desired product quality – boosting recyclate value and opening up new markets.

Benefits of Coperion Plastics Deodorization Technologies

  • Overall process approach for optimum end product quality and optimized productivity
  • End-to-end equipment compatibility
  • Added value to recycled plastic products
  • Deodorization with highest effectiveness
  • Technology tailored to your process
  • Achieve better return on investment
  • Lower operating and maintenance costs
  • Open up new markets for plastics recyclates
  • Worldwide service network for maximum Performance of your systems in the long term

Single supplier for deodorization systems, many benefits

Sourcing all your deodorization needs from a single, trusted supplier brings big benefits.
Technological compatibility between each deodorization stage is ensured with the certainty of achieving the greatest possible effect. The processes run smoothly to maximize uptime and throughput. Procurement is simplified, Installation and commissioning are speeded up. Plus, thanks to our test centers and mobile testing capabilities, we can prove that the final deodorization design will meet your requirements, Deliver exceptional reliability and energy efficiency, as well as a highquality end product.

Single Source Solutions for Deodorization in Plastics Recycling Processes

Deodorization technologies all along the recycling process

From start to finish, Coperion-Herbold deodorization solutions provide optimal return on your investment. We offer a complete concept for odor reduction, starting with pre-washing, continuing with degassing in the extruder, and ending with EcoFresh silo deodorization. Depending on customer requirements, any or all of these process stages can be applied to remove VOCs and other sources of odor and improve the quality
of your recycled plastic products.

  • 1 Pre-Washing

    Pre-washing is an additional option to remove large impurities and is particularly important on washing lines for soiled films. Our Pre-Washing Drum Features baffles that constantly rotate the contaminated plastic material in a stream of water to achieve effective particle removal.

     

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  • 2 Mechanical and Thermal Drying

    The combination of mechanical and thermal drying using hot air eliminates moisture after washing and prevents the growth of odor causing bacteria, which purifies the recycled plastic material before further processing. Herbold Mechanical Dryers are highly efficient machines
    which work on the centrifuge principle and achieve excellent
    drying results.

     

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    The energy-efficient FLUIDLIFT ecodry® flash drying process reduces moisture remaining in recycling grinds following the washing process during material transportation.

     

    Herbold Mechanical Dryer

  • 3 Herbold Hot Wash

    Herbold Hot Wash, designed as a real batch process is fully adjustable, allowing fine-tuning of the dwell time, temperature, and detergent dosing to deliver perfect results. Optimal parameter adjustment for processing a very large range of materials is possible.

     

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    Herbold Hot Wash

  • 4 Final-Washing, Separation and Rinsing

    Final-washing, separation and rinsing removes finer particles from plastic using friction and other mechanical methods. Our Hydrocyclone Technology generates high centrifugal forces to achieve excellent separation results. At the same time, this process step achieves the highest washing intensity. The pollution of the circulation water is permanently removed.

     

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    Herbold Hydrocyclone Stage

  • 5 Flake Degassing

    Flake degassing after hot washing as optional process step.

  • 6 ZSK Recycling Extruder

    During extrusion and compounding in the ZSK Recycling Extruder, the used plastic is melted and homogenized. Volatile organic compounds
    (VOCs), a major cause of odors, are released. Highly efficient Vacuum devolatilization technology ensures the reliable removal of dissolved gases, enhancing the sensory quality of the product. Adding liquid Stripping agents intensifies degassing and makes VOC removal even more efficient. By adding water as Stripping agent the VOC can be further lowered by 20-35 %.

     

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    Coperion ZSK Recycling Extruder

  • 7 ZS-EG Side Devolatilization Unit

    Our ZS-EG Side Devolatilization Unit further enhances the devolatilization effect in the ZSK Recycling Extruder. It achieves a stable
    and effective degassing process that is particularly beneficial when dealing with high gas volumes.

     

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    Coperion ZS-EG Side Devolatilization Unit

  • 8 Final Material Handling

    Final Material Handling of the recompounded Plastics may include the use of hot air silos as a final deodorization stage. Coperion’s EcoFresh silo devolatilization solutions ensure that any residual odors are removed, resulting in a product that is on par with new plastic in terms of odor quality. We offer the option of a unique twin silo or a single silo design.

    Our Twin Silo solution uses one silo to heat and deodorize the Granulate and another to cool the granulate with cold air. This configuration is highly energy efficient because the process heat from the cooler is 100% used to heat the pellets in the deodorization silo. The devolatilization medium (dry or humid air, pressure) and the temperature can be set individually. Located inside or outside the production building, our twin silo system is optimized for continuous processing. Additionally, a solution for Batch processes is available.

    Our Single Silo solution uses two Bulk-X-Change heat exchangers so heating, degassing and cooling can take place in one unit. This  continuous process setup is very energy efficient in applications where the product is already heated and only requires a low purge air flow.

     

    Coperion EcoFresh Silo Devolatilization

Degassing Performance in Recycling Processes using Coperion Technologies

Degassing performance after the individual plastics recycling process steps

The total VOC is measured for post-consumer recyclate, for pellets after the extruder and for pellets after deodorization with 4h treatment at 105°C and 0% moisture content (GC measurements made in Coperion’s test laboratory). The gas chromatography shows the decreasing peak intensity after each treatment step.

Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim Recycling Plants

Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim

DEODORIZATION IN PLASTICS RECYCLING

Our experts help you to identify the optimal degassing methods for your recycling process.

The focus is always on product quality, investment and subsequent operational costs. A variety of technologies are at your disposal in Coperion and Herbold Meckesheim Test Centers worldwide to test potential deodorization methods in advance.

Comprehensive product range for removing oders for recycled plastics

Coperion Plastics Recycling - ZSK Extruder

ZSK Recycling Extruders and Side Degassing Unit ZS-EG

Coperion’s ZSK Recycling Extruders are suitable for intensive devolatilization of the melt. Volatile substances in small or large quantities can be reliably removed.

In some cases the devolatilization performance capability with conventional top vent extruder barrels can be limited. In this case the ZS-EG twin screw side devolatilization unit provides the solution.

Coperion: Deodorization in Plastics Recycling with Silo Degassing EcoFresh

Silo Degassing EcoFresh

Coperion offers different solutions for deodorization along the plastics recycling process. Odors can be removed from shredded plastic in a silo using fresh air circulation.

Post extrusion and pelletizing, Coperion offers EcoFresh silo degassing systems that play a further key role in improving waste plastic to the qualitative level of new plastic. 

Coperion Consulting

Global Service

Our service structure consists of over 350 service engineers and technicians around the globe who not only look after your machines and systems but also after your business. They see themselves as partners who secure your future.

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