Review : Increasing the Efficiency of the Extrusion Process

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science 2008-09, Vol.48 (9), p.1678-1682
• Main Author: SIKORA, Janusz W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy efficiency; Evaluation; Exact sciences and technology; Extrusion; Extrusion moulding; Machinery and processing; Mechanical properties; Methods; Moulding; Plastics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.20998

The article presents constructional methods of increasing the efficiency of the polymer extrusion process. Increasing the efficiency of the polymer extrusion process consists in the increase of the flow rate of the processed polymer and the energy efficiency of poly mer processing extruders and the decrease of the specific energy consumption and the pulsation of the flow rate and polymer pressure, as well as quality improvement of the received extrudate as a result of better homogenization of mechanical and thermal properties and polymer structure. Therefore, the improvement of the constructional solution of the screw and barrel of the extruder plasticating system was discussed. The improvement of the construction of the screw lies in using the active and passive grooved barrel section. Original constructional solutions of the active grooved section with both longitudinal and helical grooves were shown. The devices increasing the efficiency of the extrusion were also shown, which included a screen changer, a melt pump, and a static mixer. Appropriate conclusions were drawn. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:1678-1682, 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers