During the process, bottles are directed into the CentriCut granulator by way of a conveyor belt. These can comprise: whole bottles in bulk; bottles released from bales in perforated, compressed form; or individual briquettes. Via a horizontally arranged screw conveyor, material is forced axially on to the rotor from inside; the rotor is open, with three or five rows of rotor blades around the circumference. The centrifugal force generated by the turning rotor throws the material through the open rotor onto the granulator compartment wall consisting of a screen and stator blades, which surrounds the fully-enclosed granulating compartment. Here, material is ground between the rotor and stator blades into cleanly-cut, almost dust-free granulate. This approach eliminates the tendency of lightweight PET bottles to ‘dance’ on the rotor or the ejection of partially-shredded material which occurs with conventional granulators.

The rotor and stator blades can be rapidly replaced; no adjustment of the gap between cutters is required as blade clearance is constant over the entire length if one excludes adjustment errors.

The bottles are reduced to a flake material which is rapidly extracted through the large, non-rust screen surrounding the cutting chamber by means of a powerful, integrated vacuum extraction system.

With its drive power of 30-55 kW, the throughput capacity of the CentriCut 44 is 1000-2000 kg per hour depending on the condition of the PET bottles as well as the size of the rotor and the screens. According to Nuga, a rotor diameter of 440 mm and a depth of 270 or 480 mm provide for an exceptionally compact design. Weighing around 2.5 tonnes, the machine features a housing mounted on castors for mobility and flexibility.

Acknowledgement

Nuga AG, Balgach, Switzerland, Phone: +41 71 720 00 40, Fax: +41 71 720 00 45, E-mail: centricut@nuga.ch
www.centricut.ch