Interchange MD8 Issues - Winston, where are you...

[ScreenPrinter123]

Keeping a long story short....

What is this stuff?  How does one eliminate it? 

Interchange's position: The dryer is operating to spec - ergo, the issue is being caused by our inks and/or the garments we use, etc. so contact them.  So, according to Interchange, THE CAUSE is not the dryer - it plays no part in this stuff's appearance since the dryer is operating to spec.  Moreover, WHAT IT IS, suggested by Interchange, is either (1) the ink not evaporating in the chambers (thus making the ink the real culprit) and/or (2) I need to check with what the shirt manufacturer's put into their garments as that is what could be burning off and causing the black resin (thus making the shirts the real culprit).

#1 above was suggested when it was believed that our exhaust CFM was too low.  After confirming our CFM level was at the level it should be, #2 became the suggested reason.

(I say all of the above so that context is provided, not to be flippant or disrespectful to Interchange).

Regardless of what the cause is (though that is the whole point of this post -- to figure that out and address it!), my best guess is that it's simply ink -- that's what it looks and feels most like.  Not just the overhead ducting but the entire chamber in the blower section under the belt is lined with this stuff, so it's occurring well before the over head exhaust.  I noticed these two shirts today (see attached), and I see no leaking from the over head ducting (I taped all the seams off), so this got on to the garments somehow in the chamber. 

I'm sure someone has seen this before and has perhaps addressed it? 

We use Port and Company and Alstyle for 99% of our garments.  We use Union and Rutland for color inks; Miami for white.  The images attached are when we were running a 3k piece job of black ink (rutland) on white shirts.  Don't know if it's the black ink or simply enough total ink from all jobs prior have been built up and melted along the lining somewhere on the dryer that it just fell off (we've had this issue for many months [that's the loooong story], but now it's starting to get on garments).  Additionally, the shots of the piping are only on the exit -- this doesn't exist in the ducting coming out over the infeed (we have hoods on entrance and exit and exhaust feeding into both with a booster blower at the exit wall -- but this should be seemingly irrelevant since we have been told our CFM is where it should be).

Anyone?  Bueler?  Winston?  Another Interchange owner?  Perhaps a Sprint Owner?

[mimosatexas]

Looks gross.  Never seen it before...

[KevWilso]

It looks like rusty water to me......  but that doesn't make much sense from a gas dryer.  Interested to find out what it actually is.

[Binkspot]

I agree with Ken or it could be the goo from a dead critter running down the flue.

[ScreenPrinter123]

Definitely not water.  It's tar-like.  When it cools down it hardens a bit and is less malleable but you can still press in on it like a mid-hardened wax.

That pool of it on top of the exhaust hood is where it drips from the exhaust piping.  The stuff that didn't drip just ran down along the wall of the piping, as you can see.

[Frog]

was there any sort of sealant used on the ductwork?

[244]

was there any sort of sealant used on the ductwork?

its creasote. It's a byproduct of the new inks and less than high quality garments. You will need more exhaust to help the problem.

[Frog]

Creosote is also flammable.

[ScreenPrinter123]

Thanks Rich.


No, Frog -- no sealant.

[3Deep]

Yes that stuff is fammable, you can see this stuff going from pine trees

[TCT]

Man! We have that all over the exhaust hoods on our dryer and always have. I never thought twice about it, but it has also never dripped on anything we were printing.

[mk162]

oh, easy...just light it on fire to burn it off.  Problem solved.

Just kidding, that is a bad idea.

[ScreenPrinter123]

TCT, you know if you have the smaller or larger pulley offered by Interchange?  You ever took a CFM reader to the exhaust coming directly out of the blower chamber (meaning, take the closest possible reading coming out of the ducting in the blower chamber with no attachments)?

[TCT]

I don't have a interchange, it's a red mess... Sorry man

[californiadreamin]

Keeping a long story short....

What is this stuff?  How does one eliminate it? 

Interchange's position: The dryer is operating to spec - ergo, the issue is being caused by our inks and/or the garments we use, etc. so contact them.  So, according to Interchange, THE CAUSE is not the dryer - it plays no part in this stuff's appearance since the dryer is operating to spec.  Moreover, WHAT IT IS, suggested by Interchange, is either (1) the ink not evaporating in the chambers (thus making the ink the real culprit) and/or (2) I need to check with what the shirt manufacturer's put into their garments as that is what could be burning off and causing the black resin (thus making the shirts the real culprit).


Sorry Guys I have been across the border!
Here are some ideas, thoughts.
This problem occurs and has occurred for a long time with ALL dryers!
What does your vent configuration look like? How many, and what type off bends?
What does your Vent Roof Cap Look Like (Type) Is it 4' above roof line?
Does it Keep Water Out? Even On a sideways Rain? (I have seen this often)
Your are not doing enough # in my opinion to get a heavy build up of Tar, in the amount
of time, that you have had your dryer. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
It can be exhaust related, which is why I need to see the exhaust!
On the MD8 (a very good dryer) they do not have a powered exhaust. It is not a problem
if you have one to two bends and are running 50' total or under. If you have multiple bends
and/or you are running 50' or more than you will need a booster fan. I also recommend on any
dryer to make the exhaust 2" larger than you need. It helps keep static pressure lower!
Also make sure you have mesh blocking the roof cap. I have seen birds fly in open ones at night
to get out of cold/bad weather! and get shredded if don't get out before the fans get them.
It is Not an Interchange problem, It is an Exhaust problem caused by any or all of the above.

Winston
904.3430848