What is the working principle of SSP and LSP thickening equipment? And its advantages and disadvantages.

Thickening equipment can thicken recycled plastic PET chips, and is usually used in PET washing and granulation production lines, which can realize a closed-loop industrial chain model from recycling, washing, granulation, thickening, and purification.

1. Basic working principle of SSP (Solid State Polycondensation) and LSP (Low Shear Polycondensation) 

1. 1 Working principle of SSP solid phase thickening equipment:

The working principle of SSP solid phase thickening equipment is to increase the molecular weight of polymers through solid-state polymerization process. Specifically, the SSP equipment heats the polymer material to a certain temperature (usually 190°C-220°C), and under a low pressure environment, by increasing the reaction between molecules, the reaction cross-linking between polymer chains is promoted, thereby increasing the molecular weight and viscosity. This process is a temperature-controlled polymer melting process. This process can be used for the production of a variety of bottle-grade polyester chips and industrial silk-grade chips and other products.

1.2 Working principle of LSP liquid phase thickening equipment:

The working principle of LSP thickening equipment is relatively mild. It uses low shear and low temperature polymerization to help increase the molecular weight of the polymer and reduce thermal degradation. Compared with SSP, LSP equipment uses lower shear force to make the growth of polymer chains more uniform and avoid excessive breakage. It usually operates at a lower temperature (usually between 170°C-190°C).

2. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages of SSP and LSP equipment

2.1 Advantages and disadvantages of SSP equipment:

Advantages:

1. Good molecular weight increase effect: SSP equipment can increase the molecular weight of polymers at higher temperatures and increase their viscosity. PET polyester chips are produced into bottle-grade or industrial yarn chips through pre-crystallization, crystallization, drying, preheating, and thickening processes.

2. Stable equipment operation: SSP equipment can operate under relatively strict conditions to improve the consistency and performance of materials. The product quality is stable, the crystallization is uniform, and the dust content is low.

3. Wide range of application: For various polymers (such as PET, PA, etc.), SSP equipment can effectively increase viscosity.

Disadvantages:

1. Risk of thermal degradation: Due to the high operating temperature, long-term high-temperature treatment may cause thermal degradation of the polymer, affecting product quality.

2. High energy consumption: SSP equipment requires high temperature and pressure, and high energy consumption.

3. Long processing time: The polymer needs to react for a long time to get the ideal molecular weight increase.

2.2 Advantages and disadvantages of LSP equipment:

Advantages:

1. Gentle treatment, reduce thermal degradation: LSP equipment can effectively avoid thermal degradation and extend the service life of the material through low shear and low temperature operation.

2. Low energy consumption: Compared with SSP equipment, LSP equipment has lower energy consumption, suitable for long-term operation, and saves production costs.

3. Simple operation and less equipment maintenance: LSP equipment has lower requirements for the operating environment, so its maintenance work is less.

Disadvantages:

1. Slow molecular weight increase: Due to its low temperature and low shear operation mode, the molecular weight increase rate is slow.

2. Relatively narrow scope of application: LSP equipment is more suitable for the viscosity increase of certain polymer materials, and the effect on all materials may not be as good as SSP.

As a professional recycling equipment manufacturer, Kitech Machinery can provide you with a variety of recycling and cleaning lines. Not only that, we are also equipped with professional sales and technical teams to provide customers with a full range of professional services. At the same time, we also have overseas maintenance and commissioning teams. If you have any questions after purchase, we can escort you.