Germany based Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG is participating at Index 2014 to be held in Geneva – Switzerland and will be displaying a new method of spinning continuous filaments from melts or solutions by a split-swinging motion given to the extruded liquid filaments by an air-flow in a Laval nozzle

 

Nanoval process is a new method of spinning continuous filaments from melts or solutions by a split-swinging motion given to the extruded liquid filaments by an air-flow in a Laval nozzle. Energy consumption and filament diameters are lower than at ordinary meltblown systems: Capacities up to 200 kg/h•m, energy consumption below 1 kWh/kg, at Nanovlisz (below 1.2 micron) 2 to 3 kWh/kg.  Due to this special bursting effect the mixed micro-nano filaments in nonwoven fabrics are intermingled.

 

All standard synthetic polymers, such as PP, PE, PA, PET, PA, PPS, PBT, PLA, and PC can be processed. Much attention has been given in the last time to cellulose webs spun from Lyocell solutions.  In this case the feed stock pulp, or even waste paper and wood is cheaper than synthetic polymers – all of fossile origin – but recovery of the solvent by evaporation is needed.  

 

A first pilot plant for Lyocell spunbond webs is operated at the institute TITK near Jena and can be visited.  A spin beam section will be exposed on the stand at Index 2014.

 

Spinneret orifices are larger in diameter at Nanoval due to the splitting effect, so that functional additives can be spun with the melt or solution, like super-absorbents in cellulose filaments by which up to 25 times water absorbtion ref. web weight can be reached.

 

Nanoval’s other activity is the atomizing of metal melts into powders, which may be used as additives in filaments of nonwovens.