Energy Efficiency In Plastics Processing

Drying of plastics before processing is necessary for successful processing of hygroscopic polymers and is also useful for repeatable processing of many non-hygroscopic polymers. But drying can be the hidden energy cost of polymer processing. The Labotek Energy Saving System (LESS) is designed to reduce drying costs by automatically monitoring and controlling the drying. A PMMDA Report estimates that "Using an optimised process and the new technologies it is possible to reduce drying costs by up to 50%".

The Labotek Energy Saving System (LESS) has 2 main attractions,
firstly, it is energy saving,
and secondly it ensures the prevention of over drying.

In each drying hopper the temperature is closely monitored and drying tolerances can be set. If no material is conveyed from the hopper for a long period of time, the drying temperature will decrease automatically, thus preventing over drying and reducing energy consumption.

In many cases the process machine is not located near the drying system, therefore the operator does not always remember to go to the drying system to switch it off or reduce the temperatures.

This system will do this automatically! LABOTEK's LESS system is available as an option on the larger drying systems.