GlueNIR
Reduce glue consumption in board production

GlueNIR allows parallel measurement of solids content, molar ratio and viscosity of glue in board production

What is GlueNIR?

GlueNIR is an NIR application for online measurement of solids content, molar ratio and other parameters in glue. ONLINE. No more tedious batch lab analyses!

Why GlueNIR?

The system allows better control of emissions/formaldehyde and ideal board properties and real-time dosage of glue as a ratio of true solids content and atro mass of wood fibers. GlueNIR saves glue and pays for itself within a few months.

Turnkey delivery

Like all APOS systems, GlueNIR is delivered turnkey, i.e. the customer does not need to build up any know-how on the subject of system and calibration. The system needs to be serviced once a year and otherwise runs drift- and maintenance-free.

Potential with GlueNIR

PAST: Individual analysis for glue / resin specification

Background:

  • In the wood industry, amino plastic resin systems melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) or ureaformaldehyde (UF resins) are used
  • Properties of these resins / glues influence the process and the quality of the products
  • Products are manufactured in smaller batches in resin / glue plants
  • Specification takes place on individual samples after production
  • Sampling hardly representative, so impractical to use for process management in board plant
  • In addition, there is a mixing with old glue in the storage tank
  • Molar ratio, viscosity, solids content, gel time are important glue / resin parameters

Potential with GlueNIR

Continuous online/inline measurement just before use
Saving of glue quantities

  • Recording of the solids content
  • Reaction to fluctuating solids content
  • Exact glue dosage

Optimization of the production

  • Monitoring of the molar ratio
  • Information about the reactivity of the glue
  • Adapting the process
  • Control of emission
  • Increase production speed

Laboratory analysis are not required

  • Saves time
  • Reduces the use of materials and personnel

Savings potentials using GlueNIR

Example calculation for line using 25t wood bone dry /h

If the solids content is monitored and managed online, a glue quantity of approx. 440t/a glue can be saved

  • Savings potential of approx EUR 170.000 /a possible
  • No lab analyses anymore
  • Saves time
  • Reduces material and staff costs
  • Reduced customer complaints and superior quality. Fewer complaints enable further savings and improve customer satisfaction

By monitoring and managing the molar ratio

  • Formaldehyde emissions can be managed and
  • Production speed can be increased

Save glue and speed up production by measuring solids content and molar ratio of glue! Online, without any lab testing!

GlueNIR is an NIR application for online measurement of solids content, molar ratio and other parameters in glue. These parameters are usually unknown, as each batch is analysed in the manufacturing plant (externally or on the premises of the panel plant), but often there is a change in the glue actually added to the production due to mixing, ageing, etc. The panel plant, which doses its glue based on the solids content, does not know the actual glue content. Consequently, the panel plant can not dose accurately and often over- or under-doses with correspondingly unnecessary glue consumption or poor panel quality.

GlueNIR measures the values in real time and allows online adjustment of glue dosage, eliminating the need for laboratory analysis. In addition, GlueNIR allows measurement of the molar ratio to control formaldehyde emissions.

The APOS transflectance probe for liquids is installed directly in the pipeline with a flange piece supplied. The flange allows the probe to be removed during operation and also has a tap for sampling, e.g. to validate the system during maintenance or to develop calibrations for further parameters together with customers.

All measured values are recorded in order to be able to trace product/emission changes afterwards. All standard APOS interfaces are available. The values for solids content and molar ratio can be passed on in real time, e.g. for automatic optimisation of gluing.

Like all APOS systems, GlueNIR is delivered turnkey, i.e. the customer does not need to build up any know-how on the subject of system and calibration. To install the flange, which does not require a bypass, the pipeline must be switched off. The probe and the system itself can then be installed at any time. The system needs to be serviced once a year and otherwise runs drift- and maintenance-free.