The Micromat WS wet shredder is a new addition to the Lindner's successful Micromat series and is specially designed for pre-shredding contaminated post-consumer plastic scrap, such as lightweight packaging, bottles or films. By directing a jet of water onto the rotor, the friction arising during the shredding process can be used to detach dirt particles. This means that the material undergoes pre-cleaning from the outset, which has a positive impact on downstream processing. The water used simultaneously ensures uniform and controlled material discharge.
Once the material has passed through the pre-shredder, screw conveyors deliver it, so ensuring it remains in permanent contact with water, directly to the Rafter pre-washer, itself a newly developed product. The Rafter easily, gently and thoroughly detaches and separates contamination and adhering paper from the plastic. The new Micromat WS, together with the Rafter and the Loop Dryer, another new product, forms an innovative, new generation of compact and economic plastics shredding and washing systems from Lindner which will be premiered at K 2016.
Depending on size, the Micromat WS has a nominal throughput capacity of 1,500 to 2,500 kg/h (WS 1500), 2,000 to 3,000 kg/h (WS 2000) and 2,500 to 3,500 kg/h (WS 2500). This new pre-shredder is thus perfectly suited to the typical capacities of today's plastics washing systems and so helps to ensure continuous in-line processing of post-consumer scrap right up to the finished recycled pellets or recycled film.
The WS series in particular features a fully watertight design with special rotor seals which seal the cutting chamber off from the outside. Depending on the degree of contamination, six to eight integrated nozzles spray between 2 and 30 m³ of water per hour directly onto the rotor, the speed of which can be controlled by a frequency converter. Lindner has also adapted the blade distribution on the rotor and the counter-blade zone to the specific conditions which apply to shredding with exposure to water and has optimised material flow to the screen. Like all machines in the Micromat series, the WS models are supplied with an adjustable slip clutch which, unlike in high-speed wet chopping mills, miminises the risk of damage due to foreign matter.
"Lindner's single-shaft Micromat shredders have in recent years successfully demonstrated their reliability as pre-shredders for films and rigid plastics," says Harald Hoffmann, Sales Director Plastics Devision of Lindner Recyclingtech. "They produce a uniform shredded product, so helping to ensure trouble-free operation of downstream washing systems, while their large foreign matter flap which optimises access for maintenance and their low operating costs are further convincing arguments in their favour. Lindner's combination of Micromat WS, Rafter and Loop Dryer breaks new ground in post-consumer plastic scrap shredding and washing, helping recycling plant operators to boost efficiency, reduce wear and tear on downstream processing systems and so operate still more economically."
