Start-up valve

The polymer diverter valve consists of a heated housing and hydraulically movable piston. By hydraulic actuation of the piston the melt flow can be diverted e. g. towards the floor or directed towards the die plate.

The diversion is necessary because the desired optimal melt flow per die plate hole can not be generated instantaneously, by the preceding equipment (e. g. extruder), at start-up.

The polymer diverter valve also separates the pelletizing process from the preceding process (i.e. extruder) so that both of them can be shut down separately in case of minor faults or changes made at the pelletizing side.