Single-Pass Solution To Fabric Coating Manufacturing

A large textile and chemical manufacturer approached Quadro for help in providing a solution to their powder wetting and incorporation process. The dry ingredients, alginate and starch, needed to be added to water at a concentration of approximately 8% by weight, in order to produce a fabric coating. The final viscosity of the product ranged from 17,000 – 25,000 cps. An eductor style, high-shear mixer was tested. As the viscosity increased, the eductor on the high-shear mixer stopped sucking in powder well before all the powder had been introduced. The unit was incapable of introducing all the powder and therefore, never achieved the desired results and viscosity.

The Quadro Ytron Powder Disperser, with its single-pass technology, met the needs of the manufacturer. With an eductor designed specifically for this application, the Disperser was able to achieve the desired in-line concentration and therefore, target viscosity in a single-pass. The single-pass dispersion of powders during the vessel fill cycle eliminated the recirculation that was required with the eductor style high-shear mixer. The Quadro Ytron Powder Disperser produced repeatable, consistent product, batch-to-batch. It also reduced batch times by up to 90% and significantly reduced air incorporation, thereby eliminating the time required to de-aerate and/or the need to install expensive de-aerating equipment.

SOURCE: Quadro Engineering Corp.