How A Waste Heat Recovery Dryer Is Beneficial To The Gravure Printing Process

By Author: Rosario Berry
Total Articles: 179

The incorporation of a waste heat recovery ventilator has become a proven method of cutting costs by reducing energy consumption for the processes of flexible packaging printing, coating and lamination. This is particularly true in situations where a significant amount of heat must be generated. For environmental and economic reasons the gravure printing process often includes a method of solvent recovery which can be boosted by a Waste Heat Recovery Dryer.

An Overview of the Gravure Printing Process

Gravure printing is most often used for high-volume and high-end printed packaging, wallpaper, and similar products using a fast-drying ink. It can also be used for magazines, greeting cards, and advertising pieces, it is not quite common though.

During the gravure printing process an image is etched onto the surface of a metal plate or cylinder. The image to be printed is in the recesses of the plate, not the protruded portions. The protruded portions of the plate are then wiped free of ink so that only the image in the recesses is transferred to the substrate.

Controlling Heat during the Solvent Recovery Process

During this process a significant amount of heat is created, which makes its recovery an easy way to cut costs. The first area where a waste heat recovery dryer could be incorporated is to boost solvent recovery. This becomes possible by the lowered temperature of the solvent in the vapor state, after passing the dryer.

For added safety measures against the exposure to fire and/or explosion, the temperature in the dust collecting facilities must be below 120°C when active, and at below 50°C when the exposure becomes quite low. The solvent recovery process was first utilized to cut costs but should be also closely monitored for environmental reasons. Toluene emission can have a major impact on the surrounding environment. To minimize the emission of toluene, the air for the gravure web containing the toluene is discharged and induced into dust collecting facilities so that it may react with the activated carbon as an absorbing agent. Once the collecting is in process, the liquid collected is condensed and split into toluene and water, which is a fairly simple process since toluene floats on water.

Using a Waste Heat Recovery Dryer to Improve Energy Efficiency

The machines used for gravure printing consume a significant amount of energy for the drying by inevitable heated air ventilation, which results in a significant amount of heat discharge. The facilities are intentionally built more airtight to boost energy efficiency and unfortunately, this would also mean that the facilities may be less ventilated. A Waste Heat Recovery Dryer will not only boost the energy efficiency by recovering pre-heated air but also create a safer work environment by ensuring appropriate ventilation utilizing an elaborate built-in air balance control function and fresh air during the entire process of printing and solvent recovery.

My name is Rosario Berry, a professional freelance writer, like to introduce Boosung Engineering Co . For environmental and economic reasons the gravure printing process often includes a method of solvent recovery which can be boosted by a Waste Heat Recovery Dryer .