On-the-fly diverter valve actuation keeps plastics production soaring
Rotating diverter valves reduce LDPE production, and piston valves eliminate the problem.
Chevron Chemical Co., Baytown, Tex., produces polyethylene around the clock at its highly automated Cedar Bayou plant. The plant's reaction area produces low-density polyethylene [LDPE] pellets and pneumatically conveys them either to packaging or to silos in a compounding operation. Mixer-extruders use heat and pressure to compound the pellets with various additives. Finished pellets are placed in bulk sea containers, railcars, bulk trucks, boxes, or bags.