Numerical Study of Non-isothermal Flow in Conveying Element of Non-intermeshing Twin Screw Extruders

Three-dimensional and non-isothermal flow analysis of polymer melt in non-intermeshing twin screw extruders is employed by using finite element method (FEM) based on polymer theology. The pressure, velocity and temperature fields in conveying element of non-intermeshing twin screw extruders are calculated and analyzed. At same time, the extrusion characteristics of non-intermeshing twin screw extruder are calculated based on the calculated pressure and velocity distributions. The numerical results show that polymer melt in the screw edge region has large pressure gradient, velocity and temperature than that in screw groove region. In intermeshing region, polymer melt has high temperature and some cooling means should be put in practice for avoiding polymer decomposition. The flow rate is proportional to the screw speed and inverse ratio to pressure gradient.