Finest fibers ( 1 µm) open new applications in the areas of personal protective textiles, hot gas fine dust filtration, battery separators and fuel cell membranes. Currently production plants are limited in terms of temperature and pressure.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy supports a consortium for the development of an energy optimized finest fiber technology with about 600.000 €. The process technology is designated for temperatures up to 450 °C and high pressures. The hot air stream required for the process will be optimized including energy recovery. A new high temperature resistant filter band will ensure the homogeneous lay down of the finest fibers.
In the frame of a completed public funded research project (AiF 17563), the >Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf< (DITF) have shown that finest fibers may be produced even from high viscous polymer melts. A nonwoven of these finest fibers can e.g. be used in hot gas filtration. Encouraged by the request of customers from the filtration and battery industry two companies aim to convert this basic knowledge to a production plant: Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin, Germany (spin die and plant manufacturer) and Siebfabrik Arthur Maurer GmbH & Co. KG, Mössingen, Germany (producer of specialized woven fabrics for the lay down, formation and transport of nonwovens). The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM, Kaiserslautern, Germany introduce their know-how in simulation to optimize the energy lay out.
The cooperative research project focuses on the energy optimization of direct spinning plants for high temperature polymers (PEEK, PPS, PPA) to finest fiber webs. Both, the melt-blow technology and the energetic favorable Nanoval-process will be improved for temperatures up to 450 °C. Based on an existing melt-blow line the process will be fully analyzed, evaluated and simulated regarding energy consumption and its fluid dynamics with respect to melt process and fiber formation; air processing and recovery; fiber laid down and web formation. A Nanoval-spinneret with multirow concept designed for high performance polymers complement the development.
In the frame of a completed public funded research project (AiF 17563), the >Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf< (DITF) have shown that finest fibers may be produced even from high viscous polymer melts. A nonwoven of these finest fibers can e.g. be used in hot gas filtration. Encouraged by the request of customers from the filtration and battery industry two companies aim to convert this basic knowledge to a production plant: Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin, Germany (spin die and plant manufacturer) and Siebfabrik Arthur Maurer GmbH & Co. KG, Mössingen, Germany (producer of specialized woven fabrics for the lay down, formation and transport of nonwovens). The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM, Kaiserslautern, Germany introduce their know-how in simulation to optimize the energy lay out.
The cooperative research project focuses on the energy optimization of direct spinning plants for high temperature polymers (PEEK, PPS, PPA) to finest fiber webs. Both, the melt-blow technology and the energetic favorable Nanoval-process will be improved for temperatures up to 450 °C. Based on an existing melt-blow line the process will be fully analyzed, evaluated and simulated regarding energy consumption and its fluid dynamics with respect to melt process and fiber formation; air processing and recovery; fiber laid down and web formation. A Nanoval-spinneret with multirow concept designed for high performance polymers complement the development.
For further information please contact: Dr.-Ing. Martin Dauner
Head of Filament and Nonwoven Technologies
T +49(0)711 9340-218
E martin.dauner@ditf.de
Profiles of the Research Centers
Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf DITF
From the molecule to the finished product and its market launch, DITF conduct research and develop products along the entire textile value chain, always taking into consideration the corporate processes and business models. This makes Denkendorf a unique location world-wide for innovations in the textile industry.
Founded in 1921, today the research center employs about 300 scientists, technicians and laboratory assistants.
On 25,000 m² research and production area the DITF conduct interdisciplinary research and development projects involving chemistry, material sciences, process technology, material technology, mechanical engineering and plant design and management.
The scientists utilize the latest findings in fundamental and applicationoriented research for the textile industry, and set new standards with their own developments. This not only applies to products but also to production and analytical methods.
Due to three chairs and two professorships, the DITF are closely connected to the University of Stuttgart and Reutlingen University.
Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM - Kaiserslautern
Mathematical methods make it possible to simulate reality in a computerappropriate way and to deal with large amounts of data or complex structures in a meaningful way; optimal solutions to technical problems can be found by means of simulations. The specific competence of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics in Kaiserslautern is the mathematical approach to practical problems; it ideally complements engineering work and therefore leads to a broad spectrum of applications: automotive industry, mechanical engineering, textile industry, aerospace, energy and finance.
More than 250 employees work in the fields of fluid dynamics, visualization of large data sets, optimization of production processes, virtual material design, quality inspection, HPC.
Company Profiles
Company Profiles
S I E B F A B R I K Arthur Maurer GmbH & Co.KG - Mössingen
Our users know they can rely on our wires
We resolve screening problems for our customers throughout the world, whether in the card-board, paper or cellulose manufacturing industries, the fiber cement industry or the non-woven or chipboard manufacturing industries - SFU weaves can be counted on to give reliable, long-lasting service as, e.g.
• De-watering and filtration screens
• Forming and dryer screens
• Conveying and press screens
• Woven fabrics made of twisted wire for wide-ranging applications
• Architectural mesh for external wall designs and functional purposes
In our machine manufacturing department, we make cylinder molds, couch rollers, extractor rollers and other components of above-average endurance for stock preparation and paper manufacture. We also offer expert services such as maintenance and preparatory work, installation, assembly, on-site repairs and a covering service.
Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG - Berlin
Nanoval was founded 1987 to develop plants and processes using a unique gas-dynamic effect at supersonic flow in a Laval-nozzle. Initially, Prof. Alfred Walz – a scholar of Ludwig Prandtl in Goettingen – received a patent for this effect to atomize metal melts to powder, e.g. for 3D printing.
In 1999, the founder of Nanoval, Dr. Lueder Gerking, who was codeveloper of the spunbond process at Freudenberg 1960/1970, started to develop the spinbeam for the new process based on this effect as an alternative to the conventional meltblown spinning.
After nearly 20 years of development, Nanoval recently received its first contract for a commercial spinning plant having 1.6 m width for filters.
The Nanoval process for spinning nonwovens having finest filaments at higher throughputs and less energy consumption works for PP, PE, PET, PBT, PPS, PLA, PA, PC, Kraton and Lyocell/Cellulose.
Now, in this joint project, high temperature nonwovens shall be spun.
Press Contact Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung Denkendorf (DITF)
Sabine Keller
Koerschtalstrasse 26
73770 Denkendorf, Germany
+49 (0)711 9340 505
sabine.keller@ditf.de
Press Contact Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik ITWM
Dipl.-Math. Steffen Grützner
Leiter Presse und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Fraunhofer-Platz 1
67663 Kaiserslautern
Telefon: +49(0)6 31/3 16 00-44 00
Press Contact S I E B F A B R I K Arthur Maurer GmbH & Co.KG
Christoph Leppla
Geschäftsführer/ General Manager Mühlberg 50 72116 Mössingen
Telefon +49 7473 / 9475-27
Press Contact Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG
Christian Gerking
Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG
Kienhorststraße 61-65
D-13403 Berlin
Tel.: +49-(0)30-3229022-17
Nanoval GmbH & Co. KG
Kienhorststraße 61-65
D-13403 Berlin
Tel.: +49-(0)30-3229022-17