Extraction Equipment Eliminates Fume Emissions in Extrusion Process

When Polyplas Extrusions Ltd, in Stourport on Severn, received a large order to supply profiled sections to a UK customer, they turned to Flextraction.

Polyplas’s order called for profiled sections made from Santoprene™ brand thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), which comprises  of high-performance elastomers, combining the desirable characteristics of vulcanized rubber, such as flexibility and low compression set, with the processing ease and re-cyclability of thermoplastics.  Polyplas found, when extruded over extended periods, this material produced fumes in the production area to such an extent that fume extraction equipment was required.

Fume Extraction by Flextraction Ltd in Extrusion ProcessPolyplas is a manufacturer of custom made thermoplastic profile extrusions with a new 18,500m2 factory operating six extrusion lines, two of which are coupled with jockey extruders to produce co-extruded profiles, as well as ancillary equipment for additional processing.  Established 20 years ago, they supply both UK and Export markets with products for building &construction, bathroom & shower manufacturers, transport & marine, medical as well as mechanical / industrial engineering.

Although not all the lines are being used on this particular contract, a strategic decision was made to provide fume extraction on all six lines as this would cover all future eventualities.  Flextraction was chosen to supply 6 x 1.5m long, 150mm diameter ‘Flextractor’ articulated arms each with an epoxy black painted flared hood, all connected to a Sodeca 3 phase 230/240V 50Kz 2.2kW centrifugal fan running at 2,600rpm with a maximum airflow of 7,800m<3<><3<>/hr, more than enough to handle the 5,100m3/hr air volume required to cover all six lines.

The spiral galvanised steel ducting system to take the fumes away from the work place to an outside discharge flue and cowl, was designed by Flextraction to provide the correct conveying velocity throughout its length with the necessary access and inspection doors for easy maintenance.

Clive Chappel, Works Manager at Polyplas commented: “Although current environmental legislation played little part in our decision to purchase this equipment, we were fully aware that the installation of fume extraction equipment would help the working environment for our line operators.  Using the internet and my own knowledge of fume extraction we sought out suppliers.  Flextraction was chosen because their equipment was right for the job.  Although the installation is still new, we have found that it meets our requirements, with our line operators finding the articulated arms easy to use.  We decided to undertake the installation during our shut down period, but to meet orders we had to operate all the lines.  This, however, caused no problems and the installation proceeded without a hitch.”