MICROWAVE SYSTEM FOR MULTILAYER PVC PRODUCTION

Ziel

Reduction of thermal energy consumption in the gelification phase of PVC multi-layer coated sheets by use of microwave heating; reduction of polluting emissions from ovens and reduction of electricity consumption.
Innovation : using microwave oven to heat PVC from 20 deg. C to 100 deg. C by using microwave, from 100 deg. C to 250 deg. C by traditional way of heating (hot air tunnels with exchangers hot oil/air).L%
Results about production speed increase (first goal that carries as consequence all the other) will be available by the end of Phase 3.
The expected results after project completion are as follows :
* annual energy saving equal to 347 TOE
* reduction of D.O.P. plasticizer emissions
* increased speed of the production line (+30%); as a result, by working on three shifts the new line will yield the same output as now, with two lines working on two shifts and one line working on one shift
* reduction of personnel and auxiliary costs
* possibility to create a new line of multi-layer high thickness products.
The project features the replacement of some sections of the heating system (any hot air tunnel oven consists of many units in sequence) by a microwave system.
SITUATION BEFORE THE PROJECT IS CARRIED OUT :
In the ovens (hot air tunnels heated by hot oil) the temperature rises slowly from ambient temperature (20 deg. C) to the 160-250 deg. C by means of hot air which heats up the PVC coating. Production speed is limited by the temperature gradients applicable to product surface to heat it thoroughly without damaging it.
FUTURE ESTIMATION :
The heating phase from 20 to 100 deg. C will be done by a microwave oven. The product will be heated homogeneously and from inside, as is typical of microwave heating. Dangerous temperature gradients will be avoided and the time required for the process will be greatly reduced in comparison to conduction heating. Microwave heating avoids inefficiencies typical of traditional ovens (generator efficiency, losses due to hot oil at 250 deg. C, outersurface losses, losses due to air circulation).
Furthermore a shorter permanence of the product in the oven at high temperatures will limit emissions of the D.O.P. contained in the gel. In this way the consumption of the abatement system will also be reduced. The next heating phase from 100 to 160-250 deg. C will be performed in the traditional way.
The project has an innovative content due to the application of microwave system in PVC gelification processes.

Programm/Programme

ENG-THERMIE 1 - Programme (EEC) for the promotion of energy technology in Europe (THERMIE), 1990-1994

Thema/Themen

2.3 - INDUSTRY

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordinator

Vulcaflex SpA

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

VIA A. DE GASPERI 2
48010 COTIGNOLA (RA)
Italien

Gesamtkosten