ISSN:
0032-3888
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Chemical Engineering
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
A process of melting individual polymer granules and then combining them into a homogeneous molten mass is examined. The granules are introduced into a high temperature fluid bath, heated as they move due to the polymer-fluid density difference and finally coalesce under the action of surface and gravity forces into a uniform polymer melt which can be used for extrusion, injection molding or other melt processing techniques. Theoretical models and analyses are presented to predict the time required to melt a granule in a particular polymer-fluid system and to have the molten granule coalesce into the developing mass of molten polymer. This latter time includes the time for the continuous phase fluid to drain between the approaching granule and the molten polymer-fluid interface and the time for the granule, once in contact with the interface, to be deposited to some specified depth in the bulk molten polymer. Design parameters for a particular embodiment of the process are presented. Experimental results obtained with a prototype device using mercury as the heat transfer medium are discussed.
Additional Material:
11 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pen.760210209
