Polycarbonate
Much was changed around 25 years ago with the advent of the compact disc. It changed stereo systems, record shops and turned polycarbonate into a world star. Today, polycarbonates are some of the most popular plastics as a result of their excellent transparency and impact resistant properties. They can be found in numerous applications such as electro-technology, equipment construction, the car making industry or for making lenses for spectacles.
Separators are used in the phase boundary method in the production of polycarbonate in which the polycarbonate, after the reaction, is dissolved in an organic solvent. A second water phase contains dissolved salts and unwanted additives. Pure polycarbonate is obtained by distilling off the solvent after being washed electrolyte-free. The washing process is carried out in a multi-stage process with acid and completely desalinated water. Separators with a solid-wall bowl are used for separating the polymer solution and washing liquid in the individual washing stages.
Production of polycarbonate
Stand-alone machines and complete lines
The aim is to achieve not only extreme purity but also minimum residual water content in the organic phase to meet the market’s increasingly stringent product quality requirements. These product requirements are met precisely by using separator technology at high speeds. Solid-wall, disc-type separators of type XTA and XTC are used at the acid stage; these have all product-contact components made of high corrosion resistant materials. In addition to these stand-alone machines, GEA Westfalia Separator also supplies complete process lines for washing.
Process line for polycarbonate
- Extraction
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- Polycarbonate (process animation)0:52 min.
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