MEETING THE INDUSTRY
PaintExpo: exhibitors optimise the coating processes of the future
to products that are harmless and odourless. Unlike conventional solutions for treating exhaust air, this purely biochemical process needs very little external thermal energy, making it a costeffective method of treating solvent-charged exhaust air streams without needing to concentrate the pollutants first. In the case of hot exhaust air flows, waste heat recovery systems can be positioned upstream from the air treatment system to make use
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of the excess heat and channel it into other processes. he industrial coating technology industry is increasingly focussing on sustainable and energy-efficient processes.
Optimising energy consumption in existing systems
This is reflected in the numerous technological
Among its customers in Europe, the company Eisenmann has
developments that exhibitors will be showcasing at PaintExpo
observed a shift from greenfield to brownfield projects. The
2024. These include energy-saving system concepts, applications
latter refers to efforts to save materials and reduce emissions
that use fewer resources and modern software that all help
by investing in modernisation and energy optimisation for
companies consume less energy, thus saving valuable resources
plants that, in some cases, are 25 to 30 years old. This is an
in their painting and coating processes.
understandable shift, given increasing prices in the energy-
At the upcoming edition of PaintExpo from 9 to 12 April 2024 in
intensive paints and coatings industry and the desire for cost-
Karlsruhe, for example, application and plant manufacturers will
effective value retention. Eisenmann addresses this by developing
be showcasing innovative solutions and products for greater
customised solutions that allow clients to conserve valuable
sustainability and energy efficiency. While exhibitors at the world’s
resources through the use of innovative products in a variety of
leading trade fair for industrial coating technology will be taking
fields. One example here is the company`s ongoing development
a variety of approaches, they will all be pursuing the same goal of
of conveyor technology in an important step towards painting and
optimising coating processes to use as little energy as possible,
coating processes that are skidless and therefore more energy
thereby protecting the environment.
efficient. Building on this success, the company then went on to develop VarioMover, a driverless transport system covering the
Energy-efficient, biological exhaust air treatment system
full automotive paint shop process.
AFOTEK, a coating systems manufacturer from Bad Hersfeld
paint-separation processes, offering an answer to the growing
in Germany, will be presenting its “AFOTEK Clean” biological
demand for alternatives to the wet paint-separation processes
exhaust air treatment system at PaintExpo 2024. “The systems
widely used in the past. The potential energy savings here are
dominating the market right now are thermal afterburners, which
huge, in part through the conversion of paint booth ventilation
generally need to be heated with gas. Our patented product offers
systems from fresh/exhaust to recirculated air modes of
an alternative by taking very little energy to break down pollutants
operation.
in air contaminated with substances such as solvents. This is
The SmartOven from Eisenmann delivers an outstanding energy
possible because the AFOTEK Clean breaks down materials
balance in the drying process while maintaining excellent paint
exclusively through biological oxidation,” says Kai Sinning, a
quality. The oven can be heated with electricity, gas, thermal oil or
member of AFOTEK’s Executive Board.
hydrogen, thus offering a great deal of economic latitude thanks
The key component of the biological exhaust air treatment system
to the wide selection of possible energy sources.
Eisenmann’s E-Cube is the ideal technology for efficient, dry
consists of two cylindrical reactor towers filled with a unique substrate. This substrate is then moistened using an agent that
Sustainable heat sources and modern software
has been enriched with nutrients. The mode of action is based on
The Swiss coating systems manufacturer e. Luterbach will be
aerobic microorganisms that oxidise carbon dioxide and water via
at PaintExpo 2024 presenting various ideas for making coating
a biochemical process that converts gaseous, organic pollutants
technologies and systems more sustainable. For drying and
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CORROSION PROTECTION | JANUARY 2024