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A new flame treater from Proco Machinery Inc. is said to provide cost savings and enhanced safety features. Major energy savings are said to be provided by automatic self-ignition controls that ignite and control the flame only when required.

Safety is increased by electronic sensors that monitor the flow of containers in and out of the flaming area. In case of a jam, the flame stops automatically and an alarm sounds. The system also is protected by built-in guards with interlocking doors. The PLC system monitors all the doors and sends a signal to the operator screen when any door activity is detected. A built-in infrared flaming sensor monitors fire threats on the flaming line. In any emergency, the unit will shut down automatically and actuate an alarm. There is also a smoke sensor.

The system can be adapted for a wide range of products. Optional features can accommodate just about any configuration, Proco says. Models are available to handle products as large as 45-gal drums. Burners can be adjusted for height and flame width. Angular adjustments can be made for irregular or tapered containers.

Two models are available: a two-burner system for rectangular containers, which treats two sides of the bottle; and a four-burner model for round bottles, which comes with a container turning mechanism. Both come with caster wheels. The standard versions have a stainless-steel conveyor, normally 6 in. wide x 72 in. long. It comes with adjustable guide rails and a variable-speed motor. Height can be adjusted with a handwheel. The burner assemblies, combustion control and conveyor are all mounted on a common support structure so they all move together when the height is adjusted, avoiding stretching or pinching of pipes or wires. The PLC uses an encoder to monitor conveyor speed.