Pyrolysis, Burn-off & Thermal Stripping Service

Let Sonic Solutions handle your Pyrolysis, Burn-off and Thermal Stripping

Effectively different names for the same process; the removal of unwanted organic material contamination (paints, plastics, food process waste etc) through heat. Organic materials decompose rather than combust at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Heat converts the organic solid into inorganic ash and organic gases. The inorganic ash can then be removed from the item through a wash, and the organic gases reduced to carbon dioxide and water vapour by exposure to very high temperatures in an afterburner.

Sonic Solutions offers 2 options for thermal cleaning:

1: Burn-Off Oven

Our burn-off oven is gas powered and comprises a main burn off chamber, an afterburner for decomposition of waste gases, and a water suppression system to douse any combustion. These 3 elements are managed via a control panel allowing for varied times and temperatures to accomplish the removal of the contaminant without damage to the metal part or the environment. It manages the temperature at all times and maintains the set pyrolysis cycle with little or no operator intervention. Temperatures will typically be set between 420 and 450 centigrade although harder thermosetting materials like PTFE (Teflon) may require higher temperatures. Cycles will generally last for a total of 6 to 8 hours with the oven held at the set temperature from 3 to 5 hours depending upon the volume of contaminant on the items. Heating up is gradual (2-3 hours) to prevent stressing the underlying metal, and likewise cooling down. The main burn off chamber is 3 metres long, 2 metres wide and 2 metres high so can accommodate both large individual items and large volumes of smaller items.

2:Vacuum Oven

Vacuum ovens use pyrolysis in a vacuum avoiding uncontrolled combustion inside the cleaning chamber. It is the only thermal cleaning method that applies pyrolysis and oxidation consecutively. In two-chamber versions like ours, molten plastic drains into an unheated chamber to capture the bulk of the polymer to reduce the fumes. It is electrically powered and ideal for the quick and careful removal of plastics soiling extrusion tools and filter parts. It is smaller than the burn-off oven so perfectly suited for cleaning smaller parts like the hot melt filters from plastics recycling and pelletising operations, or nozzles from plastics or paint processes. Parts like Erema, MAS, Ettlinger or Starlinger extrusion filters. All such filters, screens, nozzles and parts can be quickly turned around with the use of our vacuum oven.

Pyrolysis Benefits Include:

• Improved product quality – It provides a consistent and high cleaning result
• Only sure way of completely removing contaminating organic matter – With many parts, especially items with variable detailed surfaces it can be the only way to completely remove contaminants. 
• Efficient – It uses automated systems that are safe, reliable, and fast providing a controlled, repeatable process
• Economical – Significant cost savings compared to other methods
• Environmentally friendly – Requires no hazardous chemicals and waste disposal. Waste products are inert ash, water vapour and carbon dioxide

Uses:

Widely used for the removal of paints, plastics, polymers and food residue from any item made of a heavy metal like steel or iron. Parts such as filters, extruder screws, spinnerettes, jigs, baking trays and oven parts, can all be successfully cleaned through thermal cleaning.

Sonic Solutions are also able to offer complimentary cleaning processes such as ultrasonics, jet washing and vapour blasting which can enhance the cleaning results obtained solely from thermal stripping. Through our experience of all these methods, we are able to turn your costly item into a valuable part.

Why outsource pyrolysis, burn-off and thermal stripping to Sonic Solutions?

We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality thermal stripping service and our client testimonials speak for themselves.

Burn-off of industrial parts and components can be a drawn-out, time-consuming task and leaving this to your own team of skilled people isn’t always the most effective or best use of their time. Ineffective cleaning can lead to poor performance, costly downtime and lost sales, so why not ensure peace of mind with our “done for you” thermal stripping service.

Customers include:

BAE, Cummins, Airbus, British Sugar, Shell