A cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator

Abstract

This application relates to the field of granulation equipment technology, and in particular to a cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator. Through the coordinated design of a cleaning component, a drying component, and a drainage system, it achieves efficient cleaning, rapid drying, and smooth drainage. The cleaning component ensures that the cleaning water evenly covers the inner wall of the barrel, the drying component dries the material rapidly using high-pressure airflow, and the drainage system prevents clogging through a funnel-shaped drain hole and a filter screen design, ensuring the smooth discharge of cleaning water and impurities. The overall solution improves the ease of equipment maintenance through automated control, meeting the production needs of modern industry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of granulation equipment technology, and in particular to a cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of industries such as polymer materials, chemicals, and food processing, twin-screw extruders have become core equipment for pellet production due to their efficient mixing and stable extrusion characteristics. They consist of a barrel containing two intermeshing screws that transport, compress, melt, and extrude materials. They are widely used in plastics, rubber, feed, and food additives. However, during long-term operation, material residues can easily accumulate on and inside the screws, especially when processing high-viscosity or heat-sensitive materials. This residue buildup can lead to scaling on the screw surface, blockage of orifices, and even affect the uniformity of material mixing and extrusion quality. This not only reduces production efficiency but can also cause equipment malfunctions and increase maintenance costs.

[0003] Traditional cleaning methods require first stopping the equipment, then opening the barrel, disassembling the screw, and finally using a high-pressure water gun or steam cleaner to externally rinse the screw and barrel before reassembling. This method is inefficient, requires considerable manpower, and is difficult to meet the demands of modern industrial production for high-efficiency, continuous operation.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, a Chinese patent discloses a twin-screw granulator with automated cleaning functionality. A cleaning device is added to the granulator, comprising a water tank, a high-pressure water pump, an annular water collection box, and a water outlet pipe. The water outlet pipe is installed on the annular water collection box and extends into the barrel. After the barrel completes the melting and granulation of the rubber compound, the control panel activates the high-pressure water pump and solenoid valve, causing water from the water tank to be sprayed out at high speed through the water outlet pipe, thereby cleaning the interior of the barrel.

[0005] This design allows the twin-screw granulator to be cleaned without disassembling the barrel and screw after a period of operation, ensuring the normal operation of subsequent granulation. However, the barrel needs to be allowed to dry naturally after cleaning, which takes a relatively long time and cannot adequately meet the needs of continuous operation, leaving room for optimization. Utility Model Content

[0006] To shorten the drying time after cleaning, this application provides a cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator.

[0007] The cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator provided in this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] It includes a cleaning device and a drainage system respectively disposed at both ends of the barrel, wherein the cleaning device includes a cleaning component and a drying component;

[0009] The cleaning assembly includes a water storage tank, a high-pressure water pump, an annular water collection box, and multiple water outlet pipes spaced apart on the surface of the annular water collection box. The high-pressure water pump is connected to the water storage tank and the annular water collection box, and each water outlet pipe is equipped with a corresponding solenoid valve.

[0010] The drying assembly includes a high-pressure air pump, an annular air collection box, and multiple air outlet pipes spaced apart on the surface of the annular air collection box. The high-pressure air pump is connected to the annular air collection box, and each air outlet pipe is equipped with a corresponding solenoid valve.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution and setting up cleaning and drying components, the inside of the barrel can be simply cleaned after each extrusion operation without disassembling the barrel, avoiding the accumulation of residues. After cleaning, it is immediately dried quickly by high-pressure airflow, allowing the machine to quickly return to working condition and ensuring the continuity of production. This routine maintenance extends the time interval between two disassembly and cleaning operations, making it more convenient.

[0012] Optionally, the drainage system includes a drain hole located at the end of the barrel away from the cleaning device and an electric valve for covering the drain hole.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the drain hole is opened during cleaning to ensure that water mixed with residue is discharged smoothly; it is closed during extrusion to prevent material from entering the drainage system.

[0014] Optionally, the drain hole is funnel-shaped, and a filter screen is detachably connected to the inlet of the drain hole, and a connecting pipe is designed at the outlet of the drain hole.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the drain hole is designed in the shape of a trumpet, with a large inlet and a small outlet. It is equipped with a filter screen for filtering large pieces of residue to reduce the possibility of drain hole blockage. An external air or water supply device can be connected to the connection pipe to flush away the material blocking the filter screen when needed, thereby further solving the problem of drain hole blockage.

[0016] Optionally, the exhaust port of the exhaust pipe is slit-shaped.

[0017] Optionally, the cleaning device further includes a blocking assembly, which includes brackets connected to both sides of the machine body, electric push rods correspondingly disposed on the upper end of the brackets, and baffles correspondingly connected to the electric push rods. The two baffles are arranged opposite to each other, and the baffles are used to cover the water outlet pipe and the air outlet pipe.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the blocking component can shield the water outlet pipe and the air outlet pipe during extrusion, preventing the pipe openings from being blocked by materials, thus making it safer.

[0019] In summary, the beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows: The cleaning structure of this twin-screw extruder granulator achieves efficient cleaning, rapid drying, and smooth drainage through the coordinated design of the cleaning component, drying component, and drainage system; the cleaning component ensures that the cleaning water evenly covers the inner wall of the barrel, the drying component dries the material rapidly through high-pressure airflow, and the drainage system prevents clogging through the design of the funnel-shaped drain holes and filter screen, ensuring the smooth discharge of cleaning water and impurities; the introduction of a humidity sensor makes the drying process more intelligent, and the blocking component protects the normal operation of the cleaning device; the overall solution improves the ease of equipment maintenance through automated control, meeting the production needs of modern industry. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the cleaning structure in a twin-screw extruder granulator.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of part A in the middle.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of the cleaning device.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the drainage system.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Cleaning device; 2. Drainage system; 21. Drain hole; 22. Electric valve; 23. Filter screen; 24. Connecting pipe port; 3. Cleaning assembly; 31. Water storage tank; 32. High-pressure water pump; 33. Annular water collection box; 331. Water outlet pipe; 4. Drying assembly; 41. High-pressure air pump; 42. Annular air collection box; 421. Air outlet pipe; 5. Blocking assembly; 51. Support; 52. Electric push rod; 53. Baffle; 6. Solenoid valve. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-4 This application will be described in further detail.

[0026] This application discloses a cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator. (Refer to...) Figure 1 The twin-screw extruder granulator includes a machine body with a barrel, inside which are two screws, and the twin-screw extruder granulator is equipped with a cleaning structure.

[0027] The cleaning structure of the twin-screw extruder granulator includes a cleaning device 1 and a drainage system 2 respectively located at both ends of the barrel. The cleaning device 1 includes a cleaning component 3, a drying component 4, and a blocking component 5. This application illustrates an example where a humidity sensor is also installed inside the barrel to cooperate with the cleaning device 1. The humidity sensor monitors the humidity inside the barrel in real time, ensuring that the inner wall of the barrel and the surface of the screw are completely dry before entering the processing flow, thus avoiding the impact of residual moisture on product quality.

[0028] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The cleaning component 3 includes a water storage tank 31, a high-pressure water pump 32, an annular water collection box 33, and multiple water outlet pipes 331 spaced circumferentially on the surface of the annular water collection box 33. The outlets of the water outlet pipes 331 extend into the inside of the dryer barrel, and each water outlet pipe 331 is equipped with a corresponding solenoid valve 6. The solenoid valves 6 are electrically connected to the high-pressure water pump 32 and the electrical control box of the machine body. The high-pressure water pump 32 and the water storage tank 31 are both installed on the upper part of the machine body, specifically, the high-pressure water pump 32 is installed on one side of the upper part of the machine body. The annular water collection box 33 is installed on the outer wall of the machine body facing the dryer barrel. The high-pressure water pump 32 is connected to both the water storage tank 31 and the annular water collection box 33. The high-pressure water pump 32 can draw clean water from the water storage tank 31, pressurize it, and transmit it to the annular water collection box 33, and spray it out through the water outlet pipes 331 to clean the inner wall of the dryer barrel and the surface of the screw.

[0029] The drying assembly 4 includes a high-pressure air pump 41, an annular air collection box 42, and multiple air outlet pipes 421 circumferentially spaced on the surface of the annular air collection box 42. Each air outlet pipe 421 is also equipped with a corresponding solenoid valve 6. The solenoid valve 6 is electrically connected to the high-pressure air pump 41 and the electrical control box of the machine body.

[0030] A high-pressure air pump 41 is installed at the upper end of the machine body, and an annular air collection box 42 is nested inside an annular water collection box 33. The high-pressure air pump 41 is connected to the annular air collection box 42. The air outlet pipe 421 has a slit-shaped air jet. The high-pressure air pump 41 draws in air, which is filtered and then enters the compression chamber. The compressed high-pressure gas finally flows out from the air outlet pipe 421 and is used to dry the inner wall of the dryer barrel and the surface of the screw.

[0031] The blocking assembly 5 includes brackets 51 installed on both sides of the machine body, electric push rods 52 installed on the upper end of the brackets 51, and baffles 53 installed in correspondence with the electric push rods 52. The two baffles 53 are arc-shaped baffles arranged opposite each other. When the granulator is working, the baffles 53 are used to simultaneously block the water outlet pipe 331 and the air outlet pipe 421 under the drive of the electric push rods 52.

[0032] Reference Figure 4The drainage system 2 includes a drain hole 21 located at the end of the barrel away from the cleaning device 1 and an electric valve 22 for covering the drain hole 21. The electric valve 22 is electrically connected to the electrical control box of the machine body. During extrusion, the electric valve 22 is closed to cover the drain hole 21 and prevent material from entering the drainage system 2. In the cleaning mode, the electric valve 22 is opened to ensure that cleaning water and residues can be smoothly discharged through the drain hole 21.

[0033] The drain hole 21 is funnel-shaped, with a large inlet and a small outlet. A detachable filter screen 23 is installed at the inlet of the drain hole 21 to filter large particles of residue, reducing the possibility of clogging. The outlet of the drain hole 21 extends out of the lower end of the machine body and is equipped with a connecting pipe port 24. The connecting pipe port 24 can be connected to an external pipeline to deliver dirty water; it can also be connected to an external air or water supply device to flush away material clogging the filter screen 23 when needed, thereby further solving the clogging problem of the drain hole 21.

[0034] The implementation principle of the cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator according to this application is as follows: The cleaning structure of this application does not require disassembly of the barrel; simple cleaning can be performed after each extrusion operation. Specifically, the retraction of the blocking component 5 exposes the water outlet pipe 331 and the air outlet pipe 421. The cleaning component 3 is activated, and simultaneously, the electric valve 22 opens, using high-pressure water flow to clean the inside of the barrel and the surface of the screw. Wastewater flows out from the drain hole 21. After cleaning, the cleaning component 3 is closed, and the drying component 4 is activated, using high-pressure airflow to quickly dry the inside of the barrel.

[0035] Maintain the granulator's cleanliness through the above routine cleaning methods. After the machine has been running for a period of time, the barrel and screw can be disassembled and cleaned in the usual manner, and the residue accumulated on the filter screen at point 23 can be removed.

[0036] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A twin screw extrusion granulator cleaning structure, characterized by: It includes a cleaning device (1) and a drainage system (2) respectively disposed at both ends of the barrel, wherein the cleaning device (1) includes a cleaning component (3) and a drying component (4); The cleaning component (3) includes a water storage tank (31), a high-pressure water pump (32), an annular water collection box (33), and a plurality of water outlet pipes (331) spaced apart on the surface of the annular water collection box (33). The high-pressure water pump (32) connects the water storage tank (31) and the annular water collection box (33). Each water outlet pipe (331) is equipped with a solenoid valve (6). The drying assembly (4) includes a high-pressure air pump (41), an annular air collection box (42), and a plurality of air outlet pipes (421) spaced apart on the surface of the annular air collection box (42). The high-pressure air pump (41) is connected to the annular air collection box (42), and each air outlet pipe (421) is equipped with a corresponding solenoid valve (6).

2. The cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drainage system (2) includes a drain hole (21) located at the end of the barrel away from the cleaning device (1) and an electric valve (22) for covering the drain hole (21).

3. The cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drain hole (21) is funnel-shaped, and a filter screen (23) is detachably connected to the inlet of the drain hole (21). A connecting pipe (24) is designed at the outlet of the drain hole (21).

4. The cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The exhaust port of the exhaust pipe (421) is a slit type.

5. The cleaning structure for a twin-screw extruder granulator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cleaning device (1) further includes a blocking assembly (5), which includes a bracket (51) connected to both sides of the body, an electric push rod (52) corresponding to the upper end of the bracket (51), and a baffle (53) corresponding to the electric push rod (52). The two baffles (53) are arranged opposite to each other and are used to shield the water outlet pipe (331) and the air outlet pipe (421).

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