Page 53 - Plastics News April 2023
P. 53

TECHNOLOGY






          as a precursor. In previous studies, a  plants, chemical plants, or steel facto-  and other sources to demonstrate the
          research team led by Professor Yu-  ries. Acetone is a relatively inexpen-  practical application of artificial photo-
          taka Amao from the Research Center  sive and reasonably harmless chemi-  synthesis," explained Professor Amao.
          for Artificial Photosynthesis at Osaka  cal used in many different laboratory   After  24  hours, more  than  60%  of
          Metropolitan University  found that  settings,  either  for reactions or as a   acetone had been successfully con-
          3-hydroxybutyrate  can be synthe-  cleaning agent, which produces waste   verted to 3-hydroxybutyrate. "In the
          sized  from CO2  and acetone  with  acetone. The acetone and CO2 acted   future,  we  aim  to  develop  artificial
          high efficiency, but this was only dem-  as raw materials to synthesize  3-hy-  photosynthesis  technology  further,
          onstrated at higher concentrations of  droxybutyrate  using  artificial  photo-  so that it can use acetone from liquid
          CO2 or sodium bicarbonate.         synthesis, powered by light equivalent   waste and as well as exhaust gas from
                                             to sunlight.
          This new study aimed to reuse waste                                    the laboratory as raw materials," stat-
          acetone from permanent marker  "We focused our attention on the im-    ed Professor Amao.
          ink and low concentrations of CO2  portance of using CO2 created by ex-
          equivalent to exhaust gas from power  haust gas from thermal power plants



          The Power of Self-Emptying Technology for Extrusion Lines

                                             cumulates over time), from color pig-  colors and carbon from parts.  The
                                             ments to additives,  must be entirely  self-emptying technology is also ideal
                                             removed from  equipment, including  for machine shutdowns. The equip-
                                             screws,  dies,  and metering pumps.  ment will be free of resin residue af-
                                             Thorough purging of all contaminants  ter using a self-emptying purge com-
                                             helps keep lines performing optimally  pound, resulting in no carbon specks
                                             and consistently.                   contaminating parts on start-up.
                                             Is manual cleaning the answer?      One standout product that utilizes
             hermoplastic extrusion line oper-  Manual cleaning takes more time and   self-emptying  technology  is Chem-
          Tators contend with a wide range   labor than most producers can spare.   Trend Ultra Purge™ 3615. Especially
          of daily challenges. Color changes and   Lines must be shut down to complete   effective  at  removing  residue  from
          contamination are two common and   the task, which significantly cuts into   the  hard-to-reach dead spots,  such
          complicated obstacles to maintaining   productivity – and revenue. Intensely   as the back of the flights of the screw,
          production schedules and producing   laborious, manual cleaning also poses   that  make  the  screw  so  difficult  to
          high-quality  end products that meet   safety  risks to your teams.  None of   clean completely. Ultra Purge™ 3615
          your customers’ needs. Issues like   this is ideal.                    works with such quickness and ease
          color streaking,  black  specks,  and                                  that the result is up to a 75% reduc-
          other material changes can lead to ex-  Self-emptying technology can make a   tion in downtime and scrap for color
          cessive downtime, scrap, and wasted   tremendous difference            changes, shutdowns/start-ups, and
          resources.  The  result?  Unnecessary   Specialty purging compounds can al-  carbon removal.
          frustration and costs for you.     leviate many complications from the   Versatility makes the difference

          Why is this problem so rampant?    cleaning process and create excep-
                                             tionally better output consistency.   The versatility of Ultra Purge™ 3615
          Complete  cleaning is essential for   Advanced capabilities, like the self-  is particularly attractive to producers.
          maintaining effective and efficient ex-  emptying technology, can make a tre-  It’s ideal for a wide range of resins and
          trusion production lines. Any material   mendous difference by facilitating the   works well  for extrusion  and blow
          that remains after each run (and ac-  quick and complete removal of dark   molding machines with and without




                                                                                                 PLASTICS NEWS 53
          April 2023
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