| Abstract: | In this paper we introduce the concept of the length of a transfer unit (LTU) for polymer devolatilization and show that the LTU is an appropriate measure of the effectiveness of the process unit in which the devolatilization operation is conducted. The utility of the concept is demonstrated for the case when the process unit is a twin screw extruder for which values of the LTU were determined from experimentally measured values of devolatilization rates. Values of the LTU were found to depend solely on the fluid mechanics in the extruder as expected and were in good agreement with the predictions of a theoretical expression developed for the system that was studied. Finally, we discuss the implications of the LTU concept in relation to the engineering design and analysis of polymer devolatilization processes. |
