Hot Wash System for Recycling Polyolefins

Drawing from its vast assortment of proven plastics recycling equipment, Herbold can custom configure Wash Plants for polyolefins capable of producing high-quality, food grade recyclates.

While each wash plant is designed around the user’s specific requirements and facility characteristics, all feature a multi-stage process usually consisting of pre-shredding, pre-washing / initial separation, granulation, high density separation, and drying.

Pre-shredding is typically done in a single-shaft shredder such as the Herbold 60/120. With a 23.5” diameter rotor and 60 individual knives, these rugged machines can accept entire bales of contaminated waste and process up to 13,000 lbs. per hour.

Washing takes place in a VWE-60 pre-washing unit which employees a 3-step process of sink/swim to remove heavy materials, intensive spray wash to loosen and remove embedded sediment and an additional sink/swim to further eliminate remaining sediment.

Further size reduction takes place in a wet granulator such as the Herbold 80/120. The wet operation provides additional separation of particles and contaminants from materials.

Additional high-density separation of contaminants and recyclate occurs in a Hydrocyclone. The extreme centrifugal force of the Hydrocylcone provides separation that exceeds conventional methods by a factor of 15 ensuring the level of purity necessary for food grade recyclate.

After final separation, materials are conveyed to either a mechanical or thermal dryer for removal of residual moisture prior to use or storage.

Herbold Meckesheim USA, a subsidiary of Herbold Meckesheim Germany, designs, manufactures, and installs size-reduction equipment (shredders, granulators, etc.) and wash-line systems for the plastics industry, specializing in the recycling of industrial and post-consumer plastics.

For more information, contact David Lefrancois, President, Herbold Meckesheim USA, Resource Recycling Systems Inc., 130 Industrial Drive, N. Smithfield, RI 02896, Tel: (401) 597-5500,
FAX: (401) 597-5535, E-mail:info@herboldusa.com, www.herboldusa.com.