A separation floating tank is an essential piece of equipment in PET bottle washing lines for removing impurities such as labels, caps, sediment, and paper scraps. Equipped with a heavy material cleaning screw at the bottom and a floating material conveyor drum at the top, it is suitable for mixed cleaning and separation of various materials (including PP, PE, PET), delivering thorough separation, significantly effective cleaning, and broad applicability. It can be integrated into complete production lines or operated independently. Kitech Machinery offers customized models in various specifications to meet different output requirements.
I. Working Principle of the Separation Floating Tank
The core principle relies on density differences between materials to achieve separation, ensuring high purity of PET flakes for subsequent processing. The primary separation method is water flow separation, optionally supplemented by air flow separation in some models.
1.Tank Design:
The bottom typically features water jetting devices that utilize water impact force to tumble bottles and float light impurities (labels, caps, paper scraps).
PET bottles have a higher density (1.34-1.40 g/cm³) and sink, while light impurities like labels and caps (especially PVC, PE, and paper labels) have a lower density than water and float on the surface.
2.Separation Process:
Crushed PET flakes enter the floating tank. The water impact force dislodges labels and caps, causing them to float upwards.
PET flakes sink to the bottom, while the water flow carries away the floating light impurities (labels, caps, etc.).
3. Impurity Discharge Methods
Floating Material Discharge System:
Water Flow Assisted: Light impurities overflow along the tank edge with the water flow and are discharged via the drainage system.
Air Flow Assisted (Optional): Some models incorporate an air system, utilizing airflow to help gather floating materials towards the discharge outlet.
4. Filters or Screens:
Some designs include screens/filters at the outlet to intercept floating labels and caps, preventing them from mixing back into the water flow and ensuring PET regrind purity.
II. Factors Affecting Separation Efficiency
Rinse tank separation efficiency typically exceeds 90%, particularly effective for lightweight labels (e.g., PVC, BOPP) and caps.
Water Flow Velocity: Optimal flow velocity aids effective separation of light impurities, but excessive flow may wash away PET flakes.
Impurity Material Density: The density differences of various labels and caps directly influence their floating behavior.
Water Temperature & Additives: Warm water or suitable chemical additives (e.g., surfactants) reduce water surface tension, promoting label detachment and improving efficiency.
III. Methods to Improve Separation Efficiency
Precise Control of Water Flow & Level: Ensure sufficient flow to dislodge and float impurities rapidly without carrying away PET flakes.
Optimize Tank Shape & Flow Guidance: Achieve uniform water coverage, avoid dead zones, and ensure complete impurity separation.
Air Flow Assisted Separation (Optional): Add an air system to help concentrate floating materials using airflow, enhancing efficiency.
Multi-Stage Separation: Employ multiple rinse tanks in series for stepwise processing, progressively increasing label and cap removal rates.
Post-Cleaning Refinement:
After washing, incorporate Near-Infrared Sorting (NIR) or Electrostatic Separation technologies to further eliminate residual impurities (e.g., unremoved label fragments or caps).
Monitoring & Automation Control:
Implement automated monitoring systems to adjust water flow, temperature, and other parameters in real-time, ensuring consistently optimal separation performance.
IV.Commitment to a Greener Planet
As a trailblazer in plastic recycling technology, Kitech Machinery empowers industries worldwide with smarter, sustainable solutions. Our mission? To turn the tide on plastic waste-efficiently, profitably, and responsibly."
Plastic Pelletizing Lines: Turn scraps into premium-grade pellets with precision efficiency.
Plastic Recycling & Washing Machine: Transform contaminated plastics into ready-to-reuse flakes.
Shredders & Crushers: Crush bulky waste effortlessly for seamless downstream processing.
Squeezer & Dryers: Applied for drying LDPE industry film/bag and PP woven bags - perfect for high-moisture plastics!
Contact us team for an initial discussion. We are committed to producing the best quality products at the most competitive prices. Email: remond@kitechpm.com
Contact Us: https://www.kitechrecycle.com/contact-us
