Method for processing scrap film

A method of reducing the energy consumption of a pneumatic conveying means in a scrap film recycling system having film-air separation means connected to film cutting means, the film cutting means having an inlet end, an outlet end, and a motor-driven cutter including a motor having a motor power which varies according to the volume of film in the film cutting means, comprising the steps of:

• providing air bypass means for conveying air directly from the air separation means to the outlet end of the film cutting means, the air bypass means having a control valve, the open or closed position of the control valve varying with fluctuations in the motor power of the cutter, the valve being open when the motor power of the cutter is low and closed when the motor power of the cutter is high, and
• providing no more than one fan to convey the scrap film into and out of both of the air separation means and the film cutting means.

A method of reducing the energy consumption of a pneumatic conveying means in a scrap film recycling system having film-air separation means fluidly connected to film cutting means, the film cutting means having an inlet end, an outlet end, a motor-driven cutter including a motor having a power output which varies according to the volume of film in the film cutting means, and sensor means for sensing the power output of the motor and providing an output signal indicative thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an air bypass means for conveying air directly from the air separation means to the outlet end of the film cutting means, the air bypass means having a control valve including control means for operating the control valve in response to the output signal from the sensor means, the control valve being open when the motor power of the cutting means is low and closed when the motor power of the cutting means is high, and
• providing no more than one fan to convey the scrap film into and out of both the air separation means and the film cutting means.

A method of reducing the energy consumption of a pneumatic conveying means in a scrap film recycling system having film-air separation means connected to film cutting means, the film cutting means having an inlet end fluidly connected to the film-air separation means, an outlet end, and a motor-driven cutter including a motor having a motor power which varies according to the volume of film in the film cutting means, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing air bypass means for conveying air directly from the air separation means to the outlet end of the film cutting means, the air bypass means having a control valve, the open or closed position of the control valve varying with fluctuations in the motor power of the cutter, the control valve being open when the motor power of the cutter is low and closed when the motor power of the cutting means is high, and
• providing a first conveying means downstream from the film cutting means to convey the scrap film into and out of both the air separation means and the film cutting means.