Since 2009, Oerlikon Barmag’s Service division in Remscheid has been offering manmade fibre manufacturers the option to convert existing spinning systems to include radial quenching using EvoQuench quenching systems. With this upgrade, yarn producers can manufacture a considerably broader range of yarns and also enter into the highly profitable microfibre market. Whereas the entire system needed to be replaced in the past, now all that is required is an upgrade package in most cases, offering the yarn manufacturer a tremendous advantage as this requires significantly less new investment.

A few years ago, Jiangsu Senjo Chemical Fibre Co Ltd – one of the leading polyester filament producers in China – entered the profitable micro-fibre market with the aid of an EvoQuench upgrade. The company commenced manmade fibre production in 2005 using Oerlikon Barmag’s ACW winders and cross-flow quench system. To expand its product range, Jiangsu Senjo contracted Oerlikon Barmag with upgrading 72 positions to create an EvoQuench radial quench system in 2008.

To this end, the Chinese yarn manufacturer has been able to commence production of microfibres in the 50 den/ f96, 75 den/f144 and 150 den/f288, etc. range after a very short installation period. In comparison to the same process on cross-flow quenching, EvoQuench provides an immediate economic benefit in the form of a reduction in air consumption of between 70 and 80%, generating the significant energy savings otherwise required for cooling the quench air. In the case of Jiangsu Senjo, the EvoQuench upgrade saves approximately 20 million cubic metres of air per position annually.

Further, excellent yarn quality with optimal Uster values, elongation and dyeability is achieved. Senjo saw an improvement in Uster value from 1.09 to 0.55, and the coefficient of variation from 1.39 to 0.71 for 75 den/f144 yarn. The result was so satisfactory that Jiangsu Senjo commissioned the modification of a further 72 positions in 2009, and 324 additional positions in 2010. “It is great to have the option to enter the microfibre market with a relatively small investment,” commented Plant Manager, Shen Xiangdong. The modification project was handled completely by Oerlikon Barmag’s center Upgrading to EvoQuench offers extended range of products From cross-flow to EvoQuench – Oerlikon Barmag’s quench modification offers substantial energy savings and quality improvements for existing plants. Up to today, more than 1,600 positions worldwide have been upgraded to EvoQuench. EvoQuench is the world’s most successful radial quench system with over 3,500 positions sold and Jiangsu Senjo’s upgrade to EvoQuench is yet another proof of success.

“Oerlikon Barmag’s EvoQuench upgrades are designed to keep our customers competitive,” states Mr Dieter Abele, general manager of Oerlikon Textile Beijing. “The repeat orders speak for themselves: our customers are convinced by our service performance and the yarn quality.”