Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the continuous polycondensation of polyester material in the solid phase, in particular in the form of partially crystalline granulate. The aim of the invention is to achieve a high product throughput on recrystallising and recondensation of polyester material with a low initial IV. Said aim is achieved, whereby on recrystallisation, a low residence time of 1-10 minutes is achieved, by means of a rapid heating of a thin product layer, followed by an SSP treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuous heat treatment of granulated materials, especially to the crystallization of polymer granulate, such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) for example. The device comprises several adjacent fluidization chambers respectively provided with a sieve plate through which a fluidization gas used to fluidize the granulate can be insufflated into the respective chamber from below via a gas inlet, the gas being able to escape via a gas outlet in the top area of the device. The first chamber takes up the greater part of the overall volume of all chambers and neighboring chambers are, respectively, fluidically connected by product throughflow openings in the separating walls arranged therebetween.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crystallizable plastic material is disclosed. The process includes the step of melting an amorphous plastic material, pelletizing the material, crystallizing it and then post condensing the plastic material with the proviso that the plastic material is not subjected to heating after the melting step but prior to the crystallization step and then subjecting the plastic material to sieving after the crystallization step.

Abstract: In a process for upgrading cleaned used plastic material to be reclaimed, all steps are performed in a continuous way so as to extrude continuously the plastic material to provide elongated strands thereof, cutting the strands continuously as they are supplied by extrusion to convert them into pellets. Then, the pellets are fed without any intermediate storage to a continuous crystallizer in a stream of hot gas to heat the pellets to crystallizing temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuous heat treatment of granulated materials, especially to the crystallization of polymer granulate, such as polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) for example. The device comprises several adjacent fluidization chambers respectively provided with a sieve plate through which a fluidization gas used to fluidize the granulate can be insufflated into the respective chamber from below via a gas inlet, the gas being able to escape via a gas outlet in the top area of the device. The first chamber takes up the greater part of the overall volume of all chambers and neighboring chambers are, respectively, fluidically connected by product throughflow openings in the separating walls arranged therebetween.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a modified polyester having improved rheological and mechanical properties. The method is characterised in that a polyester is mixed with a hyperbranched polymer (HBP), they are then melted down, the melted mixture is cooled to form a solid, and the solid mixture is then subjected to a solid phase postcondensation. A product is also disclosed which is produced according to the method, the postcondensed mixture being processed to form the product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the continuous polycondensation of polyester material in the solid phase, in particular in the form of partially crystalline granulate. The aim of the invention is to achieve a high product throughput on recrystallising and recondensation of polyester material with a low initial IV. Said aim is achieved, whereby on recrystallisation, a low residence time of 1-10 minutes is achieved, by means of a rapid heating of a thin product layer, followed by an SSP treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for decontaminating polycondensates, such as RPET or similar polymeric materials, in particular comminuted PET bottles. The object is to simplify existing recycling processes. This is achieved by comminuting used PET products to give flakes, and cleaning these flakes. The flakes are further decontaminated immediately and continuously in a hot gas stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plastic material, especially polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the relatively low temperature material is initially crystallized by heating before subjecting said material to heating or condensation in the solid phase. The material is then exposed to a hot treatment gas for at least 10 minutes in at least two chambers (2) of an apparatus and crystallized at a temperature above 135° C., e.g. 140-180° C. The is subsequently heated in a preheating chamber (3) having at least one to eight stages at a temperature of at least 185° C., preferably at least 200° C. and more preferably around 220° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal secondary treatment of plastic material in granulate form, in particular of polyester material such as polyethylene-terephthalate, in a flat shaft reactor comprising a substantially rectangular cross-section. The shaft (1) consists of an upper region (4) and a lower region (5), whose horizontal cross-section (Q5) tapers downwards in a vertical direction. At least sections of the vertical shaft walls (4A) and (4B) have screen-type gas dispersion regions. The large opposing shaft walls 5a and of the lower outlet region (5) are likewise gas dispersion regions. The gas dispersion regions consist of wedge-wire screens, which can have different arrangements of gaps according to requirements. The special gap arrangements in the wedge-wire screens allow the standardisation of the granulate speed profile over horizontal cross-sections in the shaft region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying a gas stream containing impurities composed of organic compounds, said gas stream flowing out of a reactor (1) designed for solid phase condensation, preferably for aromatic polyesters and polyamides. According to said method, a gas containing at least oxygen is fed to the gas stream containing the impurities. The combined gas stream is then conveyed, at a high temperature, especially from 280° C. to 380° C., onto a catalyst (8) containing rhodium or a rhodium alloy on an inert porous support. It was found advantageous that the amount of oxygen used be hypo stoichiometric, in relation to the organic impurities, and/or that the ratio of oxygen to impurities be controlled by means of a lambda probe (A). Such a lambda probe (A) is used in a facility according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating plastic material, especially polyethylene terephthalate, wherein the relatively low temperature material is initially crystallized by heating before subjecting said material to heating or condensation in the solid phase. The material is then exposed to a hot treatment gas for at least 10 minutes in at least two chambers (2) of an apparatus and crystallized at a temperature above 135° C., e.g. 140-180° C. The is subsequently heated in a preheating chamber (3) having at least one to eight stages at a temperature of at least 185° C., preferably at least 200° C. and more preferably around 220° C.

Abstract: In a process for upgrading cleaned used plastic material to be reclaimed, all steps are performed in a continuous way so as to extrude continuously the plastic material to provide elongated strands thereof, cutting the strands continuously as they are supplied by extrusion to convert them into pellets. Then, the pellets are fed without any intermediate storage to a continuous crystallizer in a stream of hot gas to heat the pellets to crystallizing temperature.

Abstract: A shaft reactor for treating bulk material, including granular bulk material, in particular for the continuous post-condensation of PET, PEN or PA in the solid phase. A uniform product flow without significant decrease of the usable contents of the reactor and a decrease of the bulk pressure in the reactor is achieved by use of internals which are uncomplicated to fabricate. Internals are arranged in the reactor which comprise at least one ring and a plurality or ribs.