CFD Simulation of Rotational Barrel Segment Mixing Performance in Single Screw Extruder

Abstract

Introducing a new element rotational barrel segment (RBS) into construction of single screw extruder (SSE), significantly changes the kinematic of motion in SSE. Main goal of incorporating RBS into SSE construction is to improve output and mixing capabilities. To evaluate three types of RBS geometries, CAE analysis was performed with ANSYS POLYFLOW® software. Evaluation of three different RBS geometries at three different movement states (static, screw co-rotating and screw counter-rotating) provided detailed insight in flow phenomena occurring in melted polymer during passing through RBS. CFD simulation of melt flow in SSE allows analyzing various processing conditions, screw geometries and even complicated kinematic couples as screw-RBS.