Pre-Expansion

Efficient pre-expansion for foam products

With our continuous pre-expansion, polystyrene is performed with a continuous cycle in the first expansion. This is of great importance as the starting point for optimal manufacturing of foamed products.

In the end, the density of the raw material is decisive for the weight of any product you produce, for example:

It is possible to produce a 200 ml drinking cup with a weight of 2 grams, while a weight of 1,5 grams is an option as well, using the same machine and moulds

We offer a wide range of pre-expanders with varying capacities.

 

The automatic processing cycle begins with the inlet of raw material into the expansion chamber through the dosing hopper.

The expanded material, coming out from the expansion chamber, will be discharged by gravity into the fluidized bed and dried by means of hot air blowing. From here, the material will be conveyed to the storage silos.

Machine control is made by a main electro-mechanical and digital panel.

A precise measuring and adjustable steam/air flow device in combination with a rockwool insulation cover of the expansion chamber assures a very cost-effective use from the perspective of energy consumption.

Interested in optimizing your manufacturing efficiency and reducing energy costs? Reach out to our team for more details.

Our machines

THW VA 40 all-in one

  • Easy all in one set-up for pre-expanding, fluidized bed drying and sieving of EPS raw beads.
  • Vertical cylindrical vessel operating at atmospheric pressure.
  • Designed capacity for 40 kg per hour at density rate 50 g/l of beads size 0.3-0.5 mm.
  • Limited temperature up to 100ºC.
  • Adjustable screw infeed of raw material at the lower bottom of vessel.
  • Tangential lower input of steam – air mixture set at defined temperature.
  • The expanded particles rise in the vessel and exit at adjustable overflow.
  • The combination of the screw feed rate, steam pressure and temperature and the height of
  • the overflow opening make it possible to control the density of the particles.
  • Drying by means of fluidized bed and steam heated blower system.
  • Sieving of expanded beads, separating lumps and dust from production beads.

THW VA 160 combi

  • Easy set-up for pre-expanding, fluidized bed drying and sieving of EPS raw beads.
  • Vertical cylindrical vessel operating at atmospheric pressure.
  • Designed capacity for 160 kg per hour at density rate 50 g/l of beads size 0.3-0.5 mm.
  • Limited temperature up to 100ºC.
  • Adjustable screw infeed of raw material at the lower bottom of vessel.
  • Tangential lower input of steam – air mixture set at defined temperature.
  • The expanded particles rise in the vessel and exit at adjustable overflow.
  • The combination of the screw feed rate, steam pressure and temperature and the height of the overflow opening make it possible to control the density of the particles.
  • Drying by means of fluidized bed and steam heated blower system.
  • Sieving of expanded beads, is a separate device positioned underneath the first intermediate silo.

THW VA 300 combi

  • Easy set-up for pre-expanding, fluidized bed drying and sieving of EPS raw beads.
  • Vertical cylindrical vessel operating at atmospheric pressure.
  • Designed capacity for 300 kg per hour at density rate 50 g/l of beads size 0.3-0.5 mm.
  • Limited temperature up to 100ºC.
  • Adjustable screw infeed of raw material at the lower bottom of vessel.
  • Tangential lower input of steam – air mixture set at defined temperature.
  • The expanded particles rise in the vessel and exit at adjustable overflow.
  • The combination of the screw feed rate, steam pressure and temperature and the height of the overflow opening make it possible to control the density of the particles.
  • Drying by means of fluidized bed and steam heated blower system.
  • Sieving of expanded beads, is a separate device positioned underneath the first intermediate silo.

We are happy to help you

Our colleagues are available to meet and discuss all possible options together.

+31 (0) 342 490 899
info@thermoware.com