EP1077801A1 - Procede et appareil de melange - Google Patents

Procede et appareil de melange

Info

Publication number
EP1077801A1
EP1077801A1 EP99910494A EP99910494A EP1077801A1 EP 1077801 A1 EP1077801 A1 EP 1077801A1 EP 99910494 A EP99910494 A EP 99910494A EP 99910494 A EP99910494 A EP 99910494A EP 1077801 A1 EP1077801 A1 EP 1077801A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
arrangement
blend
mixing arrangement
mixing
blade
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99910494A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Philip Kenneth Freakley
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Loughborough University
Loughborough University Innovations Ltd
Original Assignee
Loughborough University
Loughborough University Innovations Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Loughborough University , Loughborough University Innovations Ltd filed Critical Loughborough University
Publication of EP1077801A1 publication Critical patent/EP1077801A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
    • B29C48/36—Means for plasticising or homogenising the moulding material or forcing it through the nozzle or die
    • B29C48/375—Plasticisers, homogenisers or feeders comprising two or more stages
    • B29C48/38—Plasticisers, homogenisers or feeders comprising two or more stages using two or more serially arranged screws in the same barrel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C48/03—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor characterised by the shape of the extruded material at extrusion
    • B29C48/07—Flat, e.g. panels
    • B29C48/08—Flat, e.g. panels flexible, e.g. films
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2021/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material

Definitions

  • This invention relates to mixing flowable polymeric material such as rubber or like elastomers with particulate additives, but which may also be adapted or adaptable to other polymers and indeed other material generally.
  • plastics compounding equipment can be used for mixing some particulate rubber compounds, but, in general, elastomers have different characteristics from most thermoplastics and the results are far from optimal, and by no means all rubber elastomers can be processed using such equipment.
  • the present invention provides methods and apparatus for mixing flowable polymeric material with particulate additives which are suitable for both natural and synthetic rubbers, in particulate form, as well, incidentally, as thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers.
  • the invention comprises a method for mixing flowable polymeric material with particulate additives, comprising the steps of:
  • steps b), c) and d) of the method being carried out as a continuous process.
  • the first mixing arrangement may be a distributive mixing arrangement in which inhomogeneities are reduced.
  • the second mixing arrangement may be a dispersive mixing arrangement in which agglomerates are broken down.
  • the first mixing arrangement may be the dispersive mixing arrangement and the second the distributive mixing arrangement.
  • the polymeric material may itself be in particulate form or it may be in liquid state.
  • the pre-blend may be made by adding the polymeric material and particulate additive in desired proportions to a hopper from which the pre-blend is fed to the mixing arrangements, but, of course, a previously prepared pre-blend may be added directly to the hopper.
  • the pre-blend may, however, be fed from the hopper by a screw feeder and compactor arrangements.
  • the screw may have a constant pitch, compaction being achieved by restriction of the exit from the feeder and compactor arrangement, which may comprise a thread-advanced closure member.
  • the screw may have decreasing pitch or flight depth, however, towards the exit end to achieve or supplement compaction of the pre-blend.
  • Particulate filler may be added to a thermoplastic polymeric material in a melt screw feeder arrangement feeding the pre-blend to the distributive mixing arrangement.
  • the melt screw feeder arrangement may promote melting of the thermoplastic polymeric material and accommodate an accompanying reduction in volume by reducing in pitch and/or flight depth in the direction of feed.
  • the melt screw feeder arrangement may have an expansion zone at which the melt is decompressed and an inlet into the depressurised melt may be provided for the filler.
  • the distributive mixing arrangement may comprise a cylindrical chamber with a coaxial rotor, and the pre-blend may be introduced radially at an inlet end of the chamber.
  • the rotor of the distributive mixing arrangement may have a conveying and mixing screw having substantial clearance between the screw flight and the chamber wall facilitating backflow and decoupling the screw rotation from the feed rate of intermediate blend from the distributive mixing arrangement.
  • the pre-blend may be heated or cooled in the distributive mixing arrangement, as by passages therein for circulating fluid.
  • the dispersive mixing chamber may be coaxial with and arranged at the outlet of the distributive mixing chamber - the inlet end of the dispersive mixing chamber may merge with the outlet end of the distributive mixing chamber.
  • the dispersive mixing arrangement may comprise a blade arrangement rotating in a dispersive mixing chamber with narrow clearance from the chamber wall - 4 -
  • the dispersive mixing chamber may be conical, tapering towards its outlet, and the cone angle of the blade arrangement may be less than that of the dispersive mixing chamber wall whereby to decrease the blade-to-wall clearance towards the outlet of the chamber.
  • the cone angle of the blade arrangement may be constant from end to end or may vary from end to end.
  • the blade arrangement may comprise at least one blade which is (and may indeed comprise several blades which are) angled with respect to the axis of the blade arrangement so as to exert a conveying or pumping action on the intermediate blend being processed in the dispersive mixing arrangement.
  • the blade angle may be such that the conveying or pumping action is not strong enough to exert a dominant influence on the residence time of the intermediate blend in the dispersive mixing arrangement.
  • the material may be heated by virtue of the mechanical work done on it in feeding it to and/or treating it in the distributive mixing arrangement and this may be supplemented or controlled by additional heating or cooling by heating or cooling means in the dispersive mixing arrangement for example passages for heat exchange fluid.
  • Heat exchange passages may be provided advantageously in both chamber wall and rotor body in both mixing zones.
  • the final blend may be output to an extruder, or to a roller die or calendar means to produce sheet material, or, indeed, the dispersive mixing arrangement may output directly through an extrusion die.
  • Figure 1 is an axial section of a first embodiment
  • Figure 2 is a section on the line II -II of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an axial section of a second embodiment
  • Figure 4 is an axial section of a third embodiment
  • Figure 5 is an axial section of a fourth embodimen.
  • Figure 6 is an axial section of a fifth embodiment..
  • the drawings illustrate methods and apparatus for mixing flowable polymeric materials, such as synthetic elastomers and natural rubbers in particulate form as well as thermosetting plastics, thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers, with particulate additives such as carbon black and other, including fibrous, filler materials.
  • flowable polymeric materials such as synthetic elastomers and natural rubbers in particulate form as well as thermosetting plastics, thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers, with particulate additives such as carbon black and other, including fibrous, filler materials.
  • a pre-blend of the polymeric material and additive which pre-blend may be inhomogeneous and contain agglomerates, is made by adding the components either as an already mixed blend or separately in desired proportions to a hopper 11.
  • the pre- blend is fed into a distributive mixing arrangement 12 in which inhomogeneities are reduced to form an intermediate blend.
  • the intermediate blend is fed into a dispersive mixing arrangement 13 in which agglomerates are broken down to form a final blend, which is then output, the process being carried out on a continuous basis.
  • the polymeric material may itself be in particulate form, which reflects recent attempts to introduce particulate rubbers to the rubber industry instead of the customary bale which has been the basis of the standard practice of batch processing. Liquid polymer, however, may also be handled by the apparatus.
  • Figures 1 and 2 illustrate apparatus in which the pre-blend is fed from the hopper 11 to the distributive mixing arrangement 12.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a horizontal screw feeder and compactor arrangement
  • the screw 19 has constant pitch P and flight depth D and compaction is achieved and controlled by restriction of the exit 21 from the arrangement 18.
  • the compacted pre- blend may, in the parlance of the rubber industry, be termed "rubber compound" at this stage).
  • the restriction is brought about by an adjustable, thread-advanced closure member 22. If desired, however, additional compaction can be achieved with a screw
  • Figure 5 illustrates a screw feeder and compactor arrangement 18 in which the flight depth D reduces towards the exit over a first extent E.
  • compaction of the polymer melts it.
  • An inlet 23 is provided at the end of the extent E where the flight depth D suddenly increases to reduce pressure, allowing filler material to be introduced through inlet 23, after which the material is re-pressurised to be fed to the distributive mixing arrangement 12. Introducing the filler in this way avoids or at least reduces wear problems associated with feeding an abrasive filler together with plastic granules or powder.
  • the distributive mixing arrangement comprises a cylindrical chamber 24 with a coaxial rotor 25.
  • the pre-blend is introduced radially at an inlet end 24a of the chamber 24.
  • the rotor 25 has a conveying and mixing screw 26 having substantial - 7 -
  • the pre- blend may well be heated up by the mechanical work done on it in the distributive mixing chamber 24, but cooling or additional heating can be supplied by circulating fluid at an appropriate temperature and flow rate in channels 24b.
  • the dispersive mixing arrangement 13 comprises a blade arrangement 27 rotating in a dispersive mixing chamber 28 with narrow clearance from the chamber wall 28a whereby the material is subject to elongational flow and shear flow.
  • the chamber 28 is conical, tapering towards its outlet 29, and is coaxial with and arranged at the outlet 24c of the distributive mixing chamber 24.
  • the blade arrangement 27 is carried on the same rotor 25 as the conveying and mixing screw 26, which is tapered like the chamber 28, but with a lesser cone angle to increase compaction of the material towards the outlet 29. (The cone angle could on the other hand be greater in certain circumstances, or the same as that of the chamber).
  • the blade arrangement 27 has a cone angle which is less than that of the chamber 28 to decrease the blade-to-wall clearance towards the outlet 29 - this, too, could be the same or greater. As illustrated, the blade cone angle is constant from end to end, but could vary, perhaps in order to provide a longer length quite close to the wall of the chamber 28 for more effective dispersion of small agglomerates.
  • the blade arrangement 27 comprises blades which are angled with respect to the axis of the arrangement so as to exert a conveying or pumping action on the intermediate blend being processed in the dispersive mixing arrangement, but the blade angle is such that the conveying or pumping action is not strong enough to exert a dominant influence on the residence time of the intermediate blend in the dispersive mixing arrangement 13.
  • the material will be further heated by virtue of the mechanical work done on it in the dispersive mixing arrangement 13.
  • the temperature of the material may be controlled by additional heating or cooling through fluid channels 25 d, 28d, to maintain the material at an optimal temperature for processing.
  • Figure 5 illustrates an arrangement for introducing fibre filler materials into the compound.
  • the output 29 from the dispersive mixing arrangement 13 is into a screw feed arrangement 31 with an inlet port 32 for the fibre filler.
  • the screw 33 decreases in flight depth to feed and compact the rough mix of polymer and fibre, and delivers the rough mix to a pin barrel mixing arrangement 34 for distributive mixing of the fibres. If only fibre is to be used to fill the material, the precise details of the distributive and dispersive mixing arrangements 12, 13 are of less importance.
  • the rotor 25 is adjustable towards and away from the outlet 29 to vary the rotor blade-to-chamber wall clearance in the dispersive mixing arrangement to accommodate a wide range of compound types.
  • a simple, less expensive construction would have a constant clearance.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a "budget" version of the mixer in which the rotor 25 is a) not adjustable (or not necessarily adjustable) towards and away from the outlet 29 and b) cylindrical, rather than tapered (except for the end cone 25a).
  • the blades 27 reduce in clearance from the chamber wall towards the outlet 29.
  • Figures 3 and 6 illustrate the outlet 29 connected to an extruder 35 (which can be vertical, as shown, or horizontal, as in Figure 5), while Figure 4 shows an extrusion die 36 fixed directly on to the outlet 29.
  • a roller die or calendar means could, of course, be connected for the production of sheet material.
  • a normal feedstock may be a particulate pre-blend of some or all of the ingredients of a rubber compound, possibly with separately metered pelleted polymer and filler.
  • Variables such as temperatures at various stages of mixing, back pressures, as set by various mechanical adjustments and dwell times or throughput rates as they are affected by the speeds of the rollers and screws or rotors as appropriate will all be set to provide optimal throughput rates and rubber properties.
  • Some compounds such as silica filled compounds have characteristics which may require two or more stages of mixing, which may be effected by successive passes through the same apparatus, or in a single pass through a succession of connected apparatus.
  • the distributive mixing arrangement can be dispensed with altogether as such, though, clearly, some redistribution and improvement in uniformity will be achieved at one or both ends of a single dispersive mixing arrangement.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)
  • Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant de mélanger un matériau polymère fluide avec un additif particulaire. Ce procédé comprend les étapes consistant à (a) préparer un mélange préliminaire du matériau polymère et de l'additif, ce mélange pouvant ne pas être homogène et pouvant contenir des aglomérats; (b) compacter et apporter un mélange préliminaire dans un premier système de mélange pour former un mélange intermédiaire; (c) amener ce mélange intermédiaire dans un deuxième système de mélange pour former un mélange final; (d) produire le mélange final. Les étapes (b), (c) et (d) au moins sont effectuées en continu.
EP99910494A 1998-03-18 1999-03-15 Procede et appareil de melange Withdrawn EP1077801A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9805609 1998-03-18
GBGB9805609.6A GB9805609D0 (en) 1998-03-18 1998-03-18 Method and apparatus for mixing
PCT/GB1999/000768 WO1999047337A1 (fr) 1998-03-18 1999-03-15 Procede et appareil de melange

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1077801A1 true EP1077801A1 (fr) 2001-02-28

Family

ID=10828669

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99910494A Withdrawn EP1077801A1 (fr) 1998-03-18 1999-03-15 Procede et appareil de melange

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1077801A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002506752A (fr)
AU (1) AU2943399A (fr)
GB (1) GB9805609D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999047337A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DK1414556T3 (da) * 2001-08-10 2005-04-04 Unilever Nv Fremgangsmåde til fremstilling af en emulsion eller dispersion med kontrolleret form af den dispergerede fase

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3036397A1 (de) * 1980-09-26 1982-05-13 Hermann Berstorff Maschinenbau Gmbh, 3000 Hannover Einrichtung zum aufbereiten von pulverfoermigen kautschukmischungen
JPS61241117A (ja) * 1985-04-18 1986-10-27 Japan Steel Works Ltd:The 射出成形機の脱気可塑化装置
EP0305692B1 (fr) * 1987-09-02 1992-05-06 HERMANN BERSTORFF Maschinenbau GmbH Procédé de fabrication en continu de mélanges du caoutchouc et de mélanges contenant des additifs à base des polymères
US4958770A (en) * 1989-05-03 1990-09-25 Prescision Porous Pipe, Inc. Process for making uniform porosity flexible irrigation pipe
JPH0439022A (ja) * 1990-06-05 1992-02-10 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd 直列二段押出機

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9947337A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999047337A1 (fr) 1999-09-23
GB9805609D0 (en) 1998-05-13
AU2943399A (en) 1999-10-11
JP2002506752A (ja) 2002-03-05

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