Challenge

A large UK company, which manufactures paper cups, plastic cups and lids, and fresh food and oven trays for the food industry, had consolidated its production onto one site.

The Filter Company was closely involved in supplying a turnkey solution to the problem of handling the granulated waste plastic produced during the moulding process and returning it to the storage silos so that it can be re-used.

In granulating the plastic, a significant amount of dust was generated in the product which had to be contained as it was a health hazard and would cause contamination of the product if it escaped into the factory.

Solution

The main problems to be resolved:

  • Convey granulate from each production line with the minimum amount of transfer pipes.
  • Separate the conveying air from the granulate with no dust being released into the factory.
  • Prevent any explosion from occurring and to safely vent it if one did occur.
  • The system had to accommodate the two colours without mixing and contaminating the wrong silo.
  • The system had to be installed into a cramped factory without interrupting existing production.
  • The system was to run for 24 hours a day 364 days per year.

Outcome

The Filter Company completed the turnkey project on time and the plant operated on a 24 hour production cycle.