Bronkhorst

5 Reasons why additive dosing with a Coriolis instrument supports process efficiency for plastic manufacturers

June 12, 2018 Angela Puls
additive dosing with a Coriolis instrument

In our daily life we use plastics or polymers in many different forms whether as a disposable product such as packaging film or as a long-lasting component in the automotive industry, in construction or in sports equipment and toys.

Nowadays, plastics are tailor-made for the respective application, depending on the properties desired. In this way, properties such as hardness, mold ability (or formability), elasticity, tensile strength, temperature, radiation and heat resistance can be adjusted as well as the chemical and physical resistance can be adapted to the desired function.

This large variety can be modified within wide limits by the choice of the basic building blocks (macromolecules), the production process and additives. The respective macromolecules are polymers of regularly repeating molecular units. The type of crosslinking and the used additives determine the final properties of the material. In 2016, the world-wide production of plastics for bulk materials and films was over 300 million tons (source: BMBF) of which almost one third was produced in China. Europe and North America follow with slightly less than 20 percent each.
 

Precise dosing for operational efficiency and minimization of unnecessary waste

Typical additives in the plastics industry are antistatic agents, dyes, flame retardants, fillers, lubricants, colourants, stabilizers and plasticizers. Many of these additives are liquid. Precise dosing of the additives leads to operational efficiency and the minimization of unnecessary waste.

mini CORI-FLOW flow meter combined with a Tuthill pump
mini CORI-FLOW flow meter combined with a Tuthill pump

Additives are frequently added by use of needle valves, which is inexpensive, but always has a risk on malfunction because of fluctuation within the process (e.g. pressure and temperature). In particular the use of plasticizers is increasingly critical since some of these substances are directly absorbed by human beings or accumulate in the food chain.

With the proven CORI-FILL dosing technology, Bronkhorst offers an easy-to-use setup to ensure the required accuracy and reproducibility. By combining a mini CORI-FLOW with a pump or a suitable valve, fluids can be dosed continuously or as a batch into the reactor with high reproducibility. These systems can be integrated or used as an add-on in already existing processes and production lines.

5 Reasons why additive dosing with a Coriolis instrument supports process efficiency for plastic manufacturers

  • No need for (re)calibration in the field – fluid independent flow measurement and control
  • Gas and liquid can be measured with the same sensor
  • Ability to measure undefined or variable mixture
  • Multi parameters
  • The CORI-FILL technology features an integrated batch counter function and enables direct control shut-off valves or pumps
Watch the principle of operation of the Coriolis Mass Flow Meter with dosing pump