间断副螺棱结构对挤出机内混沌混合影响的数值模拟

建立了混沌单螺杆挤出机计量段展开螺槽的物理模型及数学模型,根据流体符合Carreau定律,借助Ployflow软件,采用网格叠加技术,对聚合物熔体在插有间断结构副螺棱螺槽内的流动进行了数值模拟分析,从统计学的角度结合粒子示踪技术以停留时间分布、分离尺度、混合效率及累计混合指数为指标来表征螺杆的混合性能。结果表明,当副螺棱间断次数多且高度略低于螺槽高时混沌单螺杆混合性能更好。     

利用往复扰动螺棱强化单螺杆挤出机内混合模拟表征

提出了采用副螺棱轴向往复运动提高单螺杆挤出机混合的结构并建立了相应的数学模型。对挤出机内牛顿流体三维周期性流动和混合过程进行了数值模拟。采用有限体积方法,变量分布采用交错网格,副螺棱的周期性运动边界通过叠加网格方式实现。采用4阶Runge-Kutta方法实现流体追踪计算,得到了示踪剂界面增长及累积停留时间分布。采用Poincaré 截面揭示混沌混合存在的区域,证实了副螺棱往复运动能够产生混沌混合效应提高螺槽内的混合效果,与其位置固定时相比,缩短了平均停留时间,停留时间分布变窄。作为对比,同时分析了常规的副螺棱位置固定的单螺杆挤出机内的相应混合行为。     

Relationship between local residence time and distributive mixing in sections of a twin‐screw extruder

Local residence time and distributive mixing were measured in conveying sections and kneading blocks of a twin screw‐extruder. The residence time measurements were completed using carbon black as the tracer and an infrared temperature probe to detect the temperature decrease caused by the changing surface emissivity. The validity of this experimental technique was extensively evaluated. A mixing limited interfacial reaction between polymer tracers was used to directly measure the distributive mixing in the twin‐screw extruder. Possible relationships between mixing and residence time in the sections of the twin‐screw extruder were investigated by combining these two measurements. Distributive mixing in conveying sections was related to the local average residence time and the fill. In contrast, distributive mixing in kneading blocks was related to the local average number of screw revolutions experienced by the polymer. Forward stagger kneading discs achieved the greatest amount of distributive mixing, which was attributed to a combination of local stagnant flow regions and more frequent interfacial reorientation.     

The effects of kneading block design and operating conditions on distributive mixing in twin screw extruders

A mixing limited interfacial reaction between polymer tracers was used to directly measure the distributive mixing performance of a co‐rotating twin screw extruder during melt‐melt blending of polypropylene. The reaction between the polymer tracers, which are low molecular weight succinic anhydride and primary amine terminally functionalized polymer chains, was followed using Fourier‐Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Experiments were completed to determine the effects of flow rate, screw speed, and kneading block design on the distributive mixing performance and the residence time distribution (RTD). The only RTD variable that was significantly affected by the experimental factors was the average residence time. Distributive mixing with neutral and reverse kneading blocks was controlled by the average residence time, the fully filled volume, and the shear rate. Conversely, the mixing performance of a forward kneading block did not follow the same trends.     

Chaotic mixing in a free-helix extruder using a new solution to the biharmonic equation

A recently published approach for modeling the cross flow in an extruder channel using a new solution to the biharmonic equation is utilized in a study of chaotic mixing in a free-helix single-screw extruder. This novel extruder was designed and constructed with the screw flight, also referred to as the helix, detached from the screw core. The flight-helix had straight sides that more closely emulated rectangular channel theory than the nominal sloped sides of a conventional single screw channel. Each of the screw elements could be rotated independently to obtain chaotic motion in the screw channel. Using the new extruder, experimental evidence for the increased mixing of a dye, for both a Dirac and droplet input, with a chaotic flow field relative to the traditional residence time distribution is presented. These experimental results are compared using the new biharmonic equation-based model. Comparing the experimental chaotic mixing with theoretical calculations was facilitated by a recently published technique for accurately placing the dye in the extruder channel. Because of the ability to periodically rotate only the flight/helix, the chaotic mixing results are minimally confounded by the existence of Moffatt eddies.     

Mixing characteristics of different tracers in extrusion of polystyrene and polypropylene

To characterize the actual flow behavior of polymer, polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) macromolecular tracers were synthesized by copolymerization and graft routes. The two tracers were then used to obtain the residence time distribution (RTD) functions of PS and PP in a twin‐screw extruder. The effect of temperature on RTD is discussed using different tracers. The mixing characteristics of different tracers in the extrusion of PS and PP were compared by measuring the overall and partial RTDs. The dependence of the overall and partial RTDs on the tracer types was investigated. The effects of mixing intensity, miscibility, and melting difference on the measured distribution were also discussed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:310–316, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Color mixing in the metering zone of a single screw extruder: Numerical simulations and experimental validation

We present numerical simulations for an acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene copolymer (ABS) resin extrusion in an industrial conventional single‐screw extruder. Based upon the flow field patterns obtained in the simulations, a particle tracking procedure was employed to obtain information about the spatial distribution of particle tracers of two colors. Results of the simulation were compared with experimental data obtained under similar extrusion conditions. To evaluate the degree of color mixing and color homogeneity for the system, we employ a specific index calculated based upon the Shannon entropy for two species populations. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:1011–1020, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

数值模拟研究螺筒结构对单螺杆挤出机性能的影响

通过数值模拟研究了机筒内壁开螺槽的螺筒结构对单螺杆挤出机性能的影响。采用POLYFLOW软件模拟了硬质聚氯乙烯(PVC-R)熔体在单螺杆螺筒挤出机以及传统单螺杆挤出机中的三维等温流场及混合过程,并对二者的混合挤出性能进行了比较。结果表明:机筒内壁为螺旋沟槽结构的单螺杆螺筒挤出机,其混合性能相对于传统单螺杆挤出机有所提高。     

Melting mechanism of a starved‐fed single‐screw extruder for calcium carbonate filled polyethylene

A study of starved‐fed single screw extrusion was initiated to understand the relation between its distinctive melting mechanism and the improved mixing capabilities attained during compounding of a calcium carbonate filler into HDPE. Experiments were carried out in a 63.5 mm single screw extruder, examining the effect of degree of starvation on a conventional and barrier feed screw. Interest was focused on the mixing/melting mechanism of starved‐fed solids‐conveying as it affects the size and number of filler agglomerates observed in the extrudate. The melting performance of both feed screws was examined using pressure and temperature measurements down the screw length as well as direct inspection of the polymer in the screw channel via rapid screw cooling. Both screws showed improved mixing quality with increased starvation.     

Mixing analysis of reactive polymer flow in a single‐screw extruder channel

In this study, the finite element method was used to investigate the influence of screw speed, entering peroxide distribution, pressure‐to‐drag flow ratio, and channel geometry on the mixing characteristics of steady non‐isothermal reactive flows. The reaction considered was the peroxide‐initiated degradation of a polypropylene resin in the metering zone of a single‐screw extruder. The predicted average degree‐of‐freedom profiles from the simulations largely conformed to expectations. The average flow efficiencies for all runs were found to vary little along the channel length, remaining at values close to that for two‐dimensional flow. No significant effect of either screw speed or peroxide distribution was found on the flow efficiencies. However, both the pressure‐to‐drag flow ratio and the channel aspect ratio were found to have significant influences.     

Residence time distribution in a real single screw extruder

The residence time distribution in an industrial single screw extruder was investigated experimentally in the case of melt and plasticating extrusion. The investigations performed proved that the extrusion parameters influence strongly the residence time distribution in the extruder. It was found that the resistance to flow through the die-head of the extruder is very important from this point of view, as well as other parameters like rotational speed of the screw and the screw channel depth. Variation of these parameters can change the residence time distribution over a broad range between the extreme idealized cases of plug flow and flow with perfect mixing. In order to obtain quantitative dependences three moduli were used and a correlation equation was obtained. This equation enables an estimation of residence time distribution on the basis of experimental characteristics of the extruder and the actual extrusion parameters.     

含能材料锥形双螺杆安全混合径向间隙的研究

以锥形双螺杆挤出机挤出段、过渡体和挤出机头为研究对象,基于Polyflow非等温稳态和瞬态的有限元模拟,对不同径向间隙下流场中各场量分布情况和变化曲线进行分析,研究含能材料在挤出段、过渡体和挤出机头流道中的安全和混合问题。从安全和混合效果两方面考虑,建立了综合评价方法,优选径向间隙。结果表明,最大剪切速率、最高剪切应力和最高黏性耗散热均在挤出段流道入口附近,最高压力在挤出段流道出口处,最高温度在机头处;锥形双螺杆的混合效果随着间隙的增加而增加;在径向间隙为0.5 mm时,流道的安全性能最差,径向间隙为1 mm时,流道的安全性能最好。     

Infrared melt temperature measurement of single screw extrusion

An infrared temperature sensor has been used to provide real time quantification of the thermal homogeneity of polymer extrusion. The non‐intrusive sensor was located in the barrel of a single screw extruder, positioned such that it provided a measurement of melt temperature in the channel of the metering section of the extruder screw. The rapid response of the technique enabled melt temperature within the extruder screw channel to be monitored in real time, allowing quantification of the thermal stability of the extrusion process. Two polyethylenes were used in experiments with three extruder screw geometries at a range of screw speeds. Data generated by the infrared sensor was found to be highly sensitive to thermal fluctuations relating to the melting performance of the extruder screw. Comparisons made with an intrusive thermocouple grid sensor located in the extruder die suggested that the infrared technique was able to provide a similar level of information without disturbing the process flow. This application on infrared thermometry could prove highly useful for industrial extrusion process monitoring and optimization. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1059–1066, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Polymer Engineering & Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Plastics Engineers     

Analysis of mixing during melt-melt blending in twin screw extruders using reactive polymer tracers

Mixing during melt-melt blending of segregated polypropylene melt streams in a co-rotating twin screw extruder was experimentally investigated. The mixing limited reaction between two polymer reactive tracers, which are terminally functionalized polyolefin oligomers, was used to determine the mixing performance of a kneading block section. The selected functional groups were succinic anhydride and a primary amine, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) was used to determine the anhydride conversion. In the absence of interfacial tension, the reaction conversion was directly related to the amount of interfacial area generated. Experiments were completed to study the effects of operating conditions, kneading block design, and polymer material properties. The screw speed effect was observed to be non-linear because of competing contributions from shear rate, residence time, channel fill, and viscous heating. The mixing performance of kneading blocks backed by a reverse conveying element was observed to follow the trend of: forward > reverse > neutral. For each kneading block design, the mixing performance decreased with an increase in polymer viscosity.     

四螺杆挤出机常规螺纹元件三维流场分析

利用大型有限元软件ANSYS对聚乙烯熔体在四螺杆挤出机常规螺纹元件中的流动情况进行了分析,求出了速度场、压力场、黏度场,对流道的中心区进行了重点分析。计算结果表明:四螺杆的四个啮合区具有较大的压力梯度、速度梯度,其混合性能明显好于双螺杆挤出机。中心区有明显的环流现象,物料在中心区的停留时间较长,中心区物料没有滞留现象。     

Continuous polymerization of ω‐lauryl lactam in an intermeshing corotating twin‐screw extruder

This article describes the synthesis of poly(ω‐lauryl lactam) by a reactive extrusion process. Anionic ring‐opening polymerization was performed in an intermeshing corotating twin‐screw extruder. We investigated the evolution of conversion of ω‐lauryl lactam as a function of reaction time, screw speeds, different feed rates, and different screw configurations along the screw axis in a twin‐screw extruder. For comparison with continuous polymerization in a twin‐screw extruder, we studied polymerization in an internal mixer, which was considered a batch reactor. We found the final conversion of ω‐lauryl lactam made in a twin‐screw extruder was higher than in an internal mixer. Higher molecular weights are found at lower screw speeds and feed rates. Melt viscosities and mechanical properties of the polymers were measured. Residence time, molecular weights, and shear mixing have the main effect on the mechanical properties of products. The twin‐screw extruder performance was interpreted in terms of commercial software. It was found that twin‐screw extruder reaction rate was higher than those in the batch reactor and increased locally with screw speed and feed rate. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1605–1620, 2005     

Discrete particle simulations of solids compaction and conveying in a single‐screw extruder

This paper studies granular flow and compaction behavior of high‐density polyethylene by discrete particle modeling in order to gain greater understanding of the stress distribution within the solids‐conveying zone of a single‐screw extruder. The contact force–displacement model used in the simulations was first validated by simulating uniaxial compression in a batch compaction cell. Subsequently, the discrete particle approach was used to model in 3D the movement of particles within the solids‐inflow and solids‐conveying zone of a 32‐mm single‐screw extruder. Results of the simulations showed that axial pressure development did not increase in an exponential manner, as suggested by continuum models, largely due to the compressibility of the solids. The nature by which pressure developed was shown to be further complicated by the retarding frictional forces of the granular bed, indicating Archimedean transport phenomena close to the feed opening when the head pressure was low and inadequate stress transmission occurred along the screw. In the cross‐channel direction, the anisotropic stress field predicted found that the highest pressure in the screw channel was located at the screw root, while the lowest pressure corresponded to the retreating flight. The results were subsequently discussed in comparison to available continuum models. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 48:62–73, 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mixing studies in the single screw extruder

Laminar mixing in a single screw extruder between two miscible liquids is considered. Studies are presented which examine the mixing performance in single screw extruders with mixing sections, variable geometry screws, and multi-viscosity mixtures. Model extruders, set up on engine lathes, were used to mix colored silicone rubber which eventually cured in the screw channel. The cured silicone was then removed and sliced to measure the mixing. Results show mixing as a function of both down channel location and total average strain. For the mixing section study, results support the theory of interfacial area reorientation as the key mechanism in mixing section performance. Increasing viscosity ratio for the multi-viscosity study showed a decrease in mixing rate.     

The effect of screw geometry on melt temperature profile in single screw extrusion

Experimental observations of melt temperature profiles and melting performance of extruder screws are reported. A novel temperature sensor consisting of a grid of thermocouple junctions was used to take multiple temperature readings in real time across melt flow in a single screw extruder. Melt pressure in the die and power consumption were also monitored. Three extruder screws at a range of screw speeds were examined for a commercial grade of low density polyethylene. Results showed melt temperature fields at low throughputs to be relatively independent of screw geometry with a flat‐shaped temperature profile dominated by conduction. At high throughputs, melting performance and measured temperature fields were highly dependent upon screw geometry. A barrier‐flighted screw with Maddock mixer achieved significantly better melting than single flighted screws. Low temperature “shoulder” regions were observed in the temperature profiles of single‐flighted screws at high throughput, due to late melting of the solid bed. Stability of the melt flow was also dependent upon screw geometry and the barrier‐flighted screw achieving flow with lower variation in melt pressure and temperature. Dimensionless numbers were used to analyze the relative importance of conduction, convection, and viscous shear to the state of the melt at a range of extrusion conditions. Polym. Eng. Sci. 46:1706–1714, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The Mixing Efficiency of an Eccentric‐Disc Kneading Zone in Intermeshing Co‐ and Counter‐Rotating Twin‐Screw Extruders

The distributive mixing efficiency of a twin‐screw extruder kneading zone consisting of eccentric disc elements was measured using an online video technique. Both co‐ and counter‐rotation were examined. Viscous Newtonian silicone oil was used as model liquid and black iron oxide pigment served as tracer substance. Under isoviscous, creeping flow and non‐diffusive conditions and for a fixed flow rate ratio of the colored and uncolored feed streams, the intensity of segregation S is only a function of the kinematic parameter Λ (the ratio of the imposed extruder throughput and the throughput at zero axial pressure gradient). The measured dependency of S on Λ is in qualitative agreement with the results of Pawlowski for a single screw extruder. The data was also plotted against the dimensionless speed of rotation, i.e. the product of the screw speed and the average residence time within the mixing section. This brings the abscissa ranges for mixers with different conveying capacity closer together, and differences in mixing efficiency between the tested configurations can be better interpreted. The energetic efficiency of the mixers investigated is compared by applying the concept of specific action. This helps to decide which mixer geometry and operating conditions produce a given homogeneity with the lowest amount of work done by viscous forces.