New Air Extractors Meet Ammonia And Dust Limits

Heidelberg is to introduce a new range of Cleanstar process air extractors that are claimed to comply with the low occupational exposure limits for ammonia and dust set by the European Union (EU).

Cleanstar is now available for the Speedmaster XL 105 and CD 102 press series and the extractor range will be launched for the Speedmaster SM 102 before the end of this year, said Heidelberg.

The company commented that Germany is one of the first EU member states to implement the European limits in to national law, which reduced the previous limit for ammonia from 35mg per cubic metre to 14mg per cubic metre.

The other EU member states will follow suit and the USA, China and Australia have also imposed similar restrictions on ammonia emissions.

According to Heidelberg, ammonia, which is used as a reactant for the resins in dispersion coatings, is released during the drying of coatings and produces a mildly pungent odour.

Detailed measurements show that ammonia concentrations of 20mg per cubic metre and over are produced in the vicinity of a press, whilst, in contrast, measurements of ammonia at a Speedmaster CD 102-5+LX and a Speedmaster XL 105-6+L equipped with Cleanstar, showed readings below 10mg per cubic metre of ammonia.

The company claimed that not only does Cleanstar reduce the ammonia content in the air but it also cuts dust levels in the vicinity of the press, together with less soiling of the press and pressroom.

Measurements showed a maximum of 0.2mg per cubic metre of dust in the vicinity of the delivery, which is below the current limit of 10mg per cubic metre.

Heidelberg said that such performance is only possible because the Cleanstar extracts powder dust and ammonia on all four sides of the delivery pile.

Cleanstar's design means it does not have any negative impact on powder application, or sheet travel and the new closed delivery air system in the delivery helps to prevent powder lumps from forming and falling on the pile.

The company explained that environmental protection has been an integral part of its policy since 1992.

In 1996,its foundry in Amstetten was the first press manufacturing site to be granted an eco-certificate and environmental management systems in accordance with ISO 14001 are now in place and certified at all sheetfed offset production locations.

Besides its own production, the company added that it focuses on developing environmentally-friendly presses.

For example, the new Speedmaster XL 105 has increased productivity by 30 per cent with the same, and in some cases less, energy consumption.

Components of the Star System also reduce the environmental impact of the printing process, said Heidelberg.

The Powderstar AP 500 is said to ensure lower powder application amounts and dust levels, whilst the Airstar air supply system reduces energy consumption by between 30 per cent to 50 per cent and the new Drystar dryers achieve enhanced performance with similar energy consumption.

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