Description
The double cone vacuum tumble dryer is suitable for drying (inert) solids to very low moisture levels. In addition, the dryer is well suited for the solid state post condensation (SSPC) of polycondensation polymers such as polyesters or polyamides. SSPC is used to further increase the molecular weight of a semi-crystalline polymer after melt polycondensation. The baffled design of the reactor vessel helps to spread and fold the product, and to expose fresh solids to the heated jacket to ensure even drying. With a working volume of 3.7 L, the dryer is designed to match the Buchi 5L melt polycondensation reactor as well as the extruders available at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research.
This is a shared research facility device, but can only be operated by a WFBR expert.
Technical Details
- RotaCone® Vacuum Dryer RCVD0.13 having a total reactor volume of 5.7 L and a working volume of 3.7 L.
- One end of the vessel has a baffle designed to turn the product, even at low loading levels.
- The reactor is equipped with a gas purge line used for bleeding in a gas (by default gaseous nitrogen, the use other gases can be discussed).
- Rated for full vacuum, equipped with an Edwards nXDS 10 scroll-pump.
- Maximum operating temperature of the reactor is 250 °C. The reactor is heated using an Unistat T305w HT (Huber).
Applications
- Solid state post condensation (SSPC) / solid state polymerization (SSP).
- Drying of high melting plastics or (inert) solids. Materials that are thermally unstable or release reactive volatile components are not allowed.