- HighLine machine range of Hennecke offers significant reduction in energy consumption
- Improved injector technology & adapted temperature control concept
- Particularly suited for small and medium-sized quantities in an irregular sequence
The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is not only crucial for global climate protection, but also for companies themselves. Fewer emissions through reduced energy consumption also means lower costs. To address this issue, the company Hennecke has put its focus on the reduced energy consumption in PU foaming machines.
Among polyurethane processors the focus is typically on a high level of machine up-time and low raw material consumption. PU parts are often manufactured in groups which are irregular, with intermittent production interruptions. During these semi-automated applications, interruptions occur due to the removal of parts, cleaning and the spraying of a release agent or during a mould change. In the search for potential energy savings, machines used in polyurethane technology are therefore often overlooked. However, these machines offer great potential for energy savings based on the mode of action and operation of these machines.
For instance, the reaction components have to be held ready by the machine in terms of temperature, pressure and homogeneity during the waiting times. For the direct triggering of a pouring process, it is also necessary for the main units, such as the metering pumps and mixhead hydraulic unit, to continue to be operated in a low-pressure circuit. In this condition, machines still need a significant 30 percent of their nominal energy requirement. In the control version of the HighLine machine type, which was presented at the K show for the first time, the foaming machine can now be switched to standby mode. In this version, the main units are completely switched off after a maximum interruption time has been reached, without significantly extending the required lead time until the next pouring process. On the one hand, this is achieved by means of a modified temperature control concept, which also works even if there is no component circuit via the metering pumps and heat exchangers. On the other hand, equipping the machine with constant pressure injectors enables the shortest possible pressure build-up times. With the renewed call for a pouring process it is therefore possible to switch the machine directly to high-pressure circuit mode, not only with respect to the components, but also hydraulically. The time that elapses until the possible triggering of the pouring process only differs insignificantly from a start from the low-pressure circuit with the units already running. The interruption time until the machine is shifted down to standby mode can be freely adjusted and ideally adapted by the machine operator. Depending on the application and installation size of the foaming machines, significant reductions in energy consumption can be achieved.
Besides the standby time, Hennecke has also analysed the pouring process thoroughly with regard to its energy savings potential. The result is a clear increase in the efficiency level of the injector. In the case of the high-pressure foaming machines which are mainly used in the market, the energy for mixing the reaction components is generated by means of the atomisation rate, i.e. through a correspondingly high pressure in the mixhead injectors. Here, the efficient transformation of high pressure into mixing energy plays a significant role in determining the amount of energy required. The speeds in the injectors of a mixhead required for sufficient mixing are between 70 and 150 m/s. In order to achieve these speeds for the chemicals, which to some extent are highly viscous, pressures from 80 to 130 bar are needed at the injectors.
In terms of figures, only one third of the practically applied pressure would be required for the friction-free physical conversion of the pressure into speed due to the increase in the pulse current. This shows the potential available for making improvements in the field of injector technology. By means of more consistent shaping of the injector geometry to achieve optimum flow, it has been possible to significantly improve the efficiency of the conversion process. For this, modern flow simulation tools have been used. Improved efficiency of the foaming machine by changing the level of effectiveness of the injectors is only possible when the machine is running with a high-pressure circuit during the pouring process, thereby showing its effect in particular during series production or in the case of continuous applications.
Picture: Flow simulation of an injector shows the distribution of the speed in an injector, in which the internal fluid friction is reduced and a greater share of the energy can thus be converted into kinetic energy (source: Hennecke)
