Products

IRD

infrared technology

Infrared Dryer IRD

The infrared dryer (IRD), an innovative technology in the plastics industry, specializes in the heating, crystallization and drying of polymers such as PET, PET with PE, PLA, ABS and more in a single step.

Commonly used in inline production, the IRD efficiently processes a wide range of materials, including flakes, granules and pellets. The efficient infrared technology brings energy directly into the material, which speeds up the process and saves energy. The IRD is particularly effective at high input moisture above 1%.

The versatility of the IRD makes it an ideal solution for various thermal applications in the plastics industry.

Heating, Crystallizing, Drying

PET-Booster®: crystallizing + drying < 500 ppm

IRD + insulated buffer hopper: crystallizing + drying < 200 ppm

IRD + desiccant dryer: crystallizing + drying < 50 ppm.

Advantages

Processing in minutes instead of hours
Direct start of production – no pre-heating required
Continuous process
Throughput range from 20 kg/h to 5,000 kg/h
Excellent mixing behavior
Constant output moisture
Suitable for high and varying input moisture
Recipes can be stored in the control system
Various rotary drum designs available
Efficient energy balance
No sticking of the material
Easy to clean
High flexibility
Low spare parts costs

How the infrared technology works

The infrared dryer (IRD) brings heat directly into the core of the material by means of short-wave infrared light. The energy in the core heats the material from the inside out, so the moisture is driven from the inside to the outside of the product, which is then discharged by air circulation. The material remains constantly in motion due to rotation of the drum, which ensures optimal mixing, and the material is heated homogeneously. The low rotational speed of the drum enables gentle handling, avoiding damage to the material.

Touch_screen

Automation

The infrared dryer (IRD) uses an integrated PLC control with a touchscreen for precise process control. Sensors and pyrometers monitor material and exhaust air temperatures, with deviations automatically adjusted. The control system allows recipes to be saved and offers remote maintenance options.

PET-Booster for drastic
reduction of drying time

Ideogramm_IRD_EN
Graphic_BigBag_moisture_EN

Homogeneous residual moisture
after the iRD

Typically, recycled material has a strongly fluctuating input moisture due to the processing process. Immediately after the IRD, the material has a homogeneous, reproducible residual moisture of < 300 ppm.