{"id":2783,"date":"2026-11-11T19:46:54","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T11:46:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/air-strand-pelletizing\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T23:40:50","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T15:40:50","slug":"air-strand-pelletizing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/air-strand-pelletizing\/","title":{"rendered":"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"k3\">\r\n<div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"crumbs\"><a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a><span>\/<\/span><a href=\"\/machines\/\">Machines<\/a><span>\/<\/span><a href=\"\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/\">Pelletizing systems<\/a><span>\/<\/span>Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing<\/div><\/div><div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"hero\">\r\n<p class=\"kicker\">Pelletizing \u00b7 Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing<\/p>\r\n<h1>Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing: How Kerke Builds It<\/h1>\r\n<p class=\"dek\">Strands cooled on a long air conveyor \u2014 no water touches the pellet. The method for PLA, starch blends, PVC-free moisture-sensitive polymers and any product that must leave the line dry.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"byline\"><div><b>Updated<\/b> 11 November 2026<\/div><div><b>Scope<\/b> PLA \u00b7 biodegradable \u00b7 moisture-sensitive\r\n<\/div><div><b>Output<\/b> 100\u2013800 kg\/h<\/div><div><b>Pellet<\/b> Uniform cylinder, dry<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"appmedia\">\r\n<div class=\"mslider\" id=\"appslider\">\r\n<div class=\"ms-frame\"><div class=\"ms-slide on\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/pel-air-strand-s1.webp\" alt=\"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 1, Kerke workshop, Nanjing\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"ms-cap\">Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 1, Kerke workshop, Nanjing<\/span><\/div><div class=\"ms-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/pel-air-strand-s2.webp\" alt=\"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 2, Kerke workshop, Nanjing\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"ms-cap\">Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 2, Kerke workshop, Nanjing<\/span><\/div><div class=\"ms-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/pel-air-strand-s3.webp\" alt=\"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 3, Kerke workshop, Nanjing\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"ms-cap\">Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 3, Kerke workshop, Nanjing<\/span><\/div><div class=\"ms-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/pel-air-strand-s4.webp\" alt=\"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 4, Kerke workshop, Nanjing\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"ms-cap\">Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 4, Kerke workshop, Nanjing<\/span><\/div><div class=\"ms-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/pel-air-strand-s5.webp\" alt=\"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 5, Kerke workshop, Nanjing\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"ms-cap\">Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 5, Kerke workshop, Nanjing<\/span><\/div><div class=\"ms-slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/pel-air-strand-s6.webp\" alt=\"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 6, Kerke workshop, Nanjing\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"ms-cap\">Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 workshop photo 6, Kerke workshop, Nanjing<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"ms-nav prev\" aria-label=\"Previous slide\">&#8249;<\/button>\r\n<button type=\"button\" class=\"ms-nav next\" aria-label=\"Next slide\">&#8250;<\/button>\r\n<div class=\"ms-dots\"><button type=\"button\" data-i=\"0\" class=\"ms-dot on\" aria-label=\"Slide 1\"><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-i=\"1\" class=\"ms-dot\" aria-label=\"Slide 2\"><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-i=\"2\" class=\"ms-dot\" aria-label=\"Slide 3\"><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-i=\"3\" class=\"ms-dot\" aria-label=\"Slide 4\"><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-i=\"4\" class=\"ms-dot\" aria-label=\"Slide 5\"><\/button><button type=\"button\" data-i=\"5\" class=\"ms-dot\" aria-label=\"Slide 6\"><\/button><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"appmedia-text\">\r\n<nav class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block k3-toc\" aria-label=\"On this page\"><b>On this page:<\/b><a href=\"#answer\">Quick answer<\/a><a href=\"#how\">How it works<\/a><a href=\"#fit\">Where it wins<\/a><a href=\"#specs\">Reference data<\/a><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/nav>\r\n<section class=\"qa\" id=\"answer\"><h2 id=\"rm-s1\">Quick answer<\/h2><p>Air-cooled strand pelletizing lets extruded strands cool on a 4\u20138 m air conveyor with fans from both sides, then cuts them dry. No water contact at all \u2014 the right answer for PLA and starch blends that would hydrolyze, for hot-wash sensitive masterbatches and for any customer whose downstream process cannot tolerate moisture.<\/p><\/section>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"wrap\"><div class=\"grid\"><main>\r\n<div class=\"stats\"><div class=\"stat\"><b>100\u2013800 kg\/h<\/b><span>capacity range<\/span><\/div><div class=\"stat\"><b>0%<\/b><span>water contact<\/span><\/div><div class=\"stat\"><b>4\u20138 m<\/b><span>cooling conveyor<\/span><\/div><div class=\"stat\"><b>60\u201390 s<\/b><span>strand cooling time<\/span><\/div><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"note\">Workshop photos \u2014 shot on our own lines in Nanjing, not stock images.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"sec\" id=\"how\">How the air-cooled strand pelletizing line works<\/h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Strands exit the die and are laid onto a perforated stainless belt by a spreader guide.<\/li><li>Cross-flow fans cool both strand faces over 4\u20138 m of conveyor travel.<\/li><li>An ambient or dehumidified air section brings strands to near room temperature.<\/li><li>Dry strands are cut in a pelletizer with a hood suction to collect dust.<\/li><li>Pellets drop to a screener and packing station straight from the belt.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"sec\" id=\"fit\">Where this method wins<\/h2>\r\n<p>Choose air-cooled strand when water is the enemy: PLA and PBS biodegradables, starch blends, some PA grades before post-crystallization, masterbatches with moisture-sensitive pigments, and laboratory or pilot lines where the product must stay absolutely dry. The trade-offs are a longer footprint and slower cooling, so output is normally capped at 800 kg\/h.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"sec\" id=\"specs\">Reference data<\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"tw\"><table><caption><b>Table 1.<\/b> Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 reference selection data.<\/caption>\r\n<thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Item<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Value<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"num\">Best for<\/td><td class=\"num\">PLA\/PBS, starch blends, moisture-sensitive compounds, pilot lines<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"num\">Output range<\/td><td class=\"num\">100\u2013800 kg\/h<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"num\">Pellet shape<\/td><td class=\"num\">Uniform cylinder, completely dry<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"num\">Watch out<\/td><td class=\"num\">Slow cooling, longer line, strand sag in hot weather<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"note\">Reference output measured on the stated material family; subject to a material trial. Die hole count sets the capacity ceiling \u2014 check the die, not the label.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"sec\" id=\"notes\">Selection notes from our floor<\/h2>\r\n<p>Strand cooling is mostly radiation and convection, so belt length sets the real ceiling. For PLA above 300 kg\/h we add a second deck or chilled air \u2014 otherwise strands reach the cutter still soft and flatten. In summer plants above 35 \u00b0C, order the dehumidified air option.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"sec\" id=\"faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\r\n<details open><summary>Why is air cooling slower than water?<\/summary><p>Air transfers heat roughly 20\u201330 times less efficiently than water. The conveyor must give strands 60\u201390 seconds of travel, which sets the belt length and the output ceiling.<\/p><\/details><details><summary>Can the line run both air and water cooling?<\/summary><p>Yes \u2014 we build combined conveyors with a water trough section that can be bypassed. Many masterbatch plants order it when product mix includes both PET and PLA grades.<\/p><\/details><details><summary>Does dust become a problem?<\/summary><p>Dry cutting produces some fines. A hood with suction and a small cyclone keeps the workspace clean; fines can be reused at a few percent blend ratio.<\/p><\/details>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"method\"><h2 id=\"rm-s7\">Where these numbers come from<\/h2>\r\n<p>Output ranges, pellet shapes and watch-outs come from Kerke commissioning records and the pelletizing systems parameter table. Where a catalogue value and a trial value disagree, the trial value is the one we quote.<\/p>\r\n<p>Reviewed by the Kerke process team, Nanjing. Page updated 11 November 2026.<\/p><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"related\"><h2 id=\"rm-s8\">Related<\/h2><div class=\"rel-grid\"><a class=\"rel\" href=\"\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/\"><span>Machine<\/span>Pelletizing systems \u2014 7 methods<\/a><a class=\"rel\" href=\"\/applications\/biodegradable-plastic-extrusion\/\"><span>Application<\/span>Biodegradable Plastic Extrusion<\/a><a class=\"rel\" href=\"\/machines\/lab-twin-screw-extruder\/\"><span>Machine<\/span>Lab &amp; pilot twin screw<\/a><a class=\"rel\" href=\"\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/\"><span>Machine<\/span>Pelletizing systems \u2014 7 methods compared<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"cta\"><div><b>Not sure which pelletizing method fits your material?<\/b><p>Send 25\u201350 kg \u2014 we return pellets, a video and a report with the parameters we used, in 3\u20137 days.<\/p><\/div>\r\n<div class=\"acts\"><a href=\"\/get-a-quote\/\">Get a quote<\/a>\r\n<a class=\"alt\" href=\"\/get-a-quote\/#trial\">Send material for trial<\/a><\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/main>\r\n<aside><h5>On this page<\/h5><ol><li><a href=\"#answer\">Quick answer<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#how\">How it works<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fit\">Where it wins<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#specs\">Reference data<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#faq\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\r\n<div class=\"sidecard\"><b>Model or trial first?<\/b><p>A model number tells you the envelope; a trial tells you the output. We quote the second one.<\/p>\r\n<a class=\"btn\" href=\"\/get-a-quote\/\">Request a quote<\/a>\r\n<a class=\"btn ghost\" href=\"\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/\">All 7 pelletizing methods<\/a><\/div><\/aside><\/div><\/div>\r\n<script>\n(function(){\n  var root=document.getElementById('appslider'); if(!root) return;\n  var slides=[].slice.call(root.querySelectorAll('.ms-slide'));\n  var dots=[].slice.call(root.querySelectorAll('.ms-dot'));\n  var cur=0, timer=null, locked=false;\n  function show(i){\n    cur=(i+slides.length)%slides.length;\n    slides.forEach(function(s,j){\n      s.classList.toggle('on', j===cur);\n      var v=s.querySelector('.ms-video');\n      if(j!==cur && v){ var f=v.querySelector('iframe');\n        if(f){ f.remove(); var p=v.querySelector('.ms-play'); if(p) p.style.display=''; } }\n    });\n    dots.forEach(function(d,j){ d.classList.toggle('on', j===cur); });\n    var v=slides[cur].querySelector('.ms-video');\n    if(v){ locked=true; stop(); playVideo(v); }\n  }\n  \/* \u81ea\u52a8\u64ad\u653e\uff1a3s \u4e00\u5f20\uff1b\u60ac\u505c\u6682\u505c\uff0c\u79fb\u51fa\u6062\u590d\uff1b\u8f6e\u5230\u89c6\u9891\u81ea\u52a8\u9759\u97f3\u64ad\u653e\u5e76\u505c\u7559\uff08locked\uff09\uff0c\u624b\u52a8\u5207\u6362\u540e\u6062\u590d\u8f6e\u64ad *\/\n  function start(){ if(timer || document.hidden || locked) return; timer=setInterval(function(){ show(cur+1); }, 3000); }\n  function stop(){ if(timer){ clearInterval(timer); timer=null; } }\n  function playVideo(v){\n    if(v.querySelector('iframe')) return;\n    var f=document.createElement('iframe');\n    f.src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/'+v.dataset.yt+'?autoplay=1&mute=1&rel=0';\n    f.setAttribute('allow','autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture');\n    f.setAttribute('allowfullscreen','');\n    var p=v.querySelector('.ms-play'); if(p) p.style.display='none';\n    v.insertBefore(f, p);\n  }\n  function manual(i){ locked=false; show(i); start(); }\n  document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', function(){ if(document.hidden) stop(); else start(); });\n  root.addEventListener('mouseenter', stop);\n  root.addEventListener('mouseleave', function(){ if(!locked) start(); });\n  root.querySelector('.prev').addEventListener('click', function(){ manual(cur-1); });\n  root.querySelector('.next').addEventListener('click', function(){ manual(cur+1); });\n  dots.forEach(function(d){ d.addEventListener('click', function(){ manual(+d.dataset.i); }); });\n  root.addEventListener('click', function(e){\n    var p=e.target.closest('.ms-play'); if(!p) return;\n    locked=true; stop(); playVideo(p.parentNode);\n  });\n  show(0);\n  start();\n})();\n<\/script>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@graph\": [{\"@type\": \"Product\", \"name\": \"Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing \u2014 Kerke\", \"brand\": {\"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Kerke\"}, \"description\": \"Strands cooled on a long air conveyor \u2014 no water touches the pellet. 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The trade is a longer conveyor footprint and higher fan energy.<\/p><p class=\"k3-rel\"><b>Related on this site:<\/b> <a href=\"\/machines\/pelletizing-systems\/\">Pelletizing systems (all 7 methods)<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/knowledge\/pelletizing-methods-compared\/\">Pelletizing methods compared<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"\/get-a-quote\/\">free extrusion line quotation<\/a><\/p><\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home\/Machines\/Pelletizing systems\/Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing Pelletizing \u00b7 Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing Air-Cooled Strand Pelletizing: How Kerke Builds It Strands cooled on a long air conveyor \u2014 no water touches the pellet. The method for PLA, starch blends, PVC-free moisture-sensitive polymers and any product that must leave the line dry. Updated 11 November 2026Scope PLA \u00b7 biodegradable \u00b7 [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":19,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"application":[],"app_group":[],"class_list":["post-2783","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2783\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"application","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/application?post=2783"},{"taxonomy":"app_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kerkepm.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/app_group?post=2783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}