Plastics Production Processes

Many different processes within the plastics industry rely on a continual supply of chilled water. Injection molding, film and sheet material production, and pelletizers are just a few of the processes that must be cooled to prevent sticking, unwanted bonding, and clumping. Two example applications are shown below.

Plastic Injection Molding Cooling

Plastic Pellitizer Cooling

Rental equipment typically used for these types of process cooling applications includes the following:

• Chiller modules ranging from 50 to 500 tons

• Pump modules, circulation tanks, cooling towers, or heat exchanger modules

• Piping and fittings

• Engineering and supervision services

• Installation and maintenance services

• On-site operation and training

Typical Customers:

• Injection molding plants

• Plastic film manufacturers

• Plastic resin manufacturers

• Chemical plants that produce polyethylene

• Companies that produce a rolled product that requires curing

Discovery Questions:

• Do your injection molding processes incorporate cooling?

• Would product quality or production rates improve with lower process temperatures?

• Do your plastic production processes rely on cooling tower water?

• Does film temperature delay the rolling process?

• What is the impact on revenues of reduced production rates during the summer months?

Configuration and Installation Issues:

• Wye strainers should be used to prevent pellets from plugging the chiller.

• A recirculation loop may be required to prevent inlet temperatures from exceeding 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius).