Kneading machine

Abstract

To provide a kneading machine of simple constitution that can suppress a kneaded object from decreasing the physical property and improve sealing performance of a shaft part of a rotor.SOLUTION: A kneading machine has: a chamber 2 in which materials are kneaded; a rotor 3 which is provided in the chamber 2; a first bearing (first lubrication bearing 4) which rotatably supports a first rotor shaft 12 connected to a motor and serving as one axial end part of the rotor 3; a second bearing (second non-lubrication bearing 5) which rotatably supports a second rotor shaft 13 as the other axial end part of the rotor 3; and a seal material 6 which is provided more on the motor side than the chamber 2 and also configured to prevent working fluid from leaking from the chamber 2 to the motor side. One or both of the first bearing and second bearing have a non-lubrication bearing which is not lubricated with lubricating oil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a kneader for kneading materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a kneader that uses a lubricating oil made from foreign oil resources for bearing portions that rotatably support both axial ends of a kneading rotor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a kneader that kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state, it is necessary to maintain higher airtightness in the chamber than in the past. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the sealing performance of the shaft portion of the rotor more than before.

[0005] In the kneader of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the physical properties of the kneaded product may deteriorate due to the mixing of the lubricating oil made from foreign oil resources into the material.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a kneader with a simple configuration that can suppress a decrease in the physical properties of a kneaded product and improve the sealing performance of the shaft portion of a rotor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention relates to a kneader for kneading materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state, comprising: a chamber in which the materials are kneaded; a rotor provided in the chamber; a first bearing that rotatably supports a first rotor shaft which is one axial end of the rotor and connected to a motor; a second bearing that rotatably supports a second rotor shaft which is the other axial end of the rotor; and a sealing material provided on the motor side of the chamber and configured to prevent leakage of the working fluid from the chamber to the motor side. One or both of the first bearing and the second bearing have non-lubricated bearings that are not lubricated with lubricating oil.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the physical properties of the kneaded product, improve the sealing performance of the shaft portion of the rotor, and provide a kneader with a simple configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [First Embodiment] (Configuration of the Kneading Device) The kneader according to the first embodiment of the present invention kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state. As shown in FIG. 1 which is a block diagram showing the kneading device 20, the kneader 1 is provided in the kneading device 20. In the present embodiment, the material is rubber, but it may be resin, food, or the like. The kneading device 20 of the present embodiment kneads in a batch manner.

[0012] Here, the supercritical state refers to a state where the temperature is equal to or higher than the critical temperature (Tc) of the working fluid and the pressure is equal to or higher than the critical pressure (Pc) of the working fluid. The subcritical state is a state close to the supercritical state. The temperature (T) and pressure (P) of the subcritical state satisfy, for example, any of the following conditions. The units of the temperature (T) and the critical temperature (Tc) in each of the following examples are in degrees Celsius. [Example 1 of subcritical state] Satisfies T≥Tc and P<Pc. [Example 2 of subcritical state] Satisfies T<Tc, P<Pc, T is sufficiently higher than room temperature, and P is sufficiently higher than normal pressure (atmospheric pressure). [Example 3 of subcritical state] Satisfies 0.5<T / Tc<1.0 and 0.5<P / Pc. [Example 4 of subcritical state] Satisfies 0.5<T / Tc and 0.5<P / Pc<1.0. [Example 5 of subcritical state] When the critical temperature (Tc) is 0°C or lower, satisfies 0.5<P / Pc.

[0013] Examples of the substance constituting the working fluid include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, xenon, ethane, ammonia, methanol, water, and the like. Among these, carbon dioxide and nitrogen are suitable for kneading rubber.

[0014] In the present embodiment, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is used as the working fluid, and kneading is performed in the presence of supercritical carbon dioxide (supercritical CO 2 ). Note that kneading may be performed in the presence of other working fluids in the supercritical state or in the presence of a working fluid in the subcritical state.

[0015] The kneading device 20 includes a manufacturing unit 21 and a kneading unit 22.

[0016] The manufacturing unit 21 is supercritical CO 2Manufacture it. The manufacturing unit 21 has a tank 31, a first heat exchanger 32, a pump 33, and a second heat exchanger 34.

[0017] The tank 31 stores CO 2 gas. The first heat exchanger 32 cools the CO 2 gas supplied from the tank 31 to make it liquid CO 2 (liquid CO 2 ).

[0018] The pump 33 pressurizes the liquid CO 2 . Pressurizing the liquid CO 2 requires less power for the pump 33 than pressurizing the CO 2 gas. The pump 33 pumps the pressurized liquid CO 2 to the downstream side.

[0019] The second heat exchanger 34 heats the pressurized liquid CO 2 to vaporize the liquid CO 2 . By vaporizing the liquid CO 2 inside the container, the second heat exchanger 34 pressurizes the CO 2 . As a result, the CO 2 becomes supercritical CO 2 .

[0020] The kneading unit 22 kneads the material in the presence of supercritical CO 2 . The kneading unit 22 has a kneader 1, a regulating valve 42, and a separation filter 43.

[0021] The material and the additive are supplied to the flow path connecting the manufacturing unit 21 and the kneading unit 22. The material and the additive supplied to the flow path are transferred into the kneader 1 together with the supercritical CO 2 .

[0022] The kneader 1 kneads the material and the additive inside it in the presence of supercritical CO 2 . Since the material and the additive dissolve in the supercritical CO 2 , they are quickly kneaded.

[0023] When the material is a polymer material such as rubber or resin, the additives include additives, kneaded rubber, and plant-derived materials including cellulose nanofibers. When the material is food, the additives are food additives and the like. Note that additives may not be used.

[0024] When the kneading in the kneader 1 is completed, in the kneader 1, the kneaded product of the material and the additives and supercritical CO 2 are separated. The kneaded product is discharged from the kneader 1. The regulating valve 42 regulates the flow rate of the supercritical CO 2 discharged from the inside of the kneader 1. In the present embodiment, the regulating valve 42 depressurizes the supercritical CO 2 discharged from the inside of the kneader 1 to make it CO 2 gas. The separation filter 43 separates the additives remaining in the CO 2 gas.

[0025] Further, the kneading device 20 has a return flow path 23. The CO 2 gas separated from the kneaded product after kneading of the material flows through the return flow path 23. The upstream end of the return flow path 23 is connected to the separation filter 43 of the kneading section 22. The downstream end of the return flow path 23 is connected to a flow path connecting the tank 31 and the first heat exchanger 32.

[0026] The CO 2 gas separated from the kneaded product in the kneading section 22 is returned to the production section 21 through the return flow path 23. Thereby, the CO 2 gas separated from the kneaded product can be reused.

[0027] (Configuration of the Kneader) As shown in FIG. 2 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 1, the kneader 1 has a chamber 2, a pair of rotors 3, a first lubricated bearing 4 (first bearing), a second non-lubricated bearing 5 (second bearing), and a sealing material 6.

[0028] In chamber 2, the materials are kneaded. Chamber 2 is provided with supply / discharge ports 2a. The supply / discharge ports 2a are respectively provided in a fixing part 7 described later. Supercritical CO 2 is supplied into chamber 2 from these supply / discharge ports 2a. Also, supercritical CO 2 in chamber 2 is discharged from these supply / discharge ports 2a.

[0029] A cylindrical fixing part 7 is connected to the side wall of chamber 2. The fixing part 7 is provided for each of the pair of rotors 3. Also, on the side of chamber 2 opposite to the fixing part 7, a lid member 8 is attached to chamber 2. The lid member 8 covers chamber 2, the second rotor shaft 13, and the second non-lubricated bearing 5. The second rotor shaft 13 does not penetrate the lid member 8. The lid member 8 closes chamber 2. The lid member 8 closes the opening of the portion of chamber 2 on the side from the first rotor shaft 12 toward the second rotor shaft 13 (the lower portion in FIG. 2). The lid member 8 is detachable from chamber 2. When taking out the kneaded material from inside chamber 2, the lid member 8 is removed from chamber 2.

[0030] The pair of rotors 3 are respectively rotatably provided in chamber 2. By rotating each of the pair of rotors 3, the materials in chamber 2 are kneaded in the presence of supercritical CO 2 .

[0031] The rotor 3 has a rotor body 11, a first rotor shaft 12, a second rotor shaft 13, and a screw part 14. The rotor body 11 is provided with spiral teeth (not shown). The first rotor shaft 12 is one axial end part of the rotor 3 and is the shaft part of the rotor 3. At one of the pair of rotors 3, the end part on the side opposite to the screw part 14 of the first rotor shaft 12 is connected to a motor (not shown). The second rotor shaft 13 is the other axial end part of the rotor 3 and is the shaft part of the rotor 3. The first rotor shaft 12 and the second rotor shaft 13 respectively extend axially from the axial end parts of the rotor body 11 in the axial direction of the rotor 3. In this embodiment, the screw part 14 and the rotor body 11 can be separated from the first rotor shaft 12.

[0032] The threaded portion 14 is provided between the rotor main body 11 and the first rotor shaft 12, and between the rotor main body 11 and the second rotor shaft 13, respectively. Threads are formed on the threaded portion 14. The threads of the threaded portion 14 between the rotor main body 11 and the second rotor shaft 13 are formed in a direction opposite to the twisting direction of the threaded portion 14 between the rotor main body 11 and the first rotor shaft 12. The kneaded material that attempts to move toward the first rotor shaft 12 and the second rotor shaft 13 as the rotor 3 rotates is pushed back toward the central portion of the chamber 2 (the central portion in the axial direction of the rotor 3) by the action of the threaded portion 14. Thereby, the movement of the kneaded material toward the first lubricated bearing 4 and the second non-lubricated bearing 5 is suppressed.

[0033] The bearing that rotatably supports the first rotor shaft 12 is referred to as the "first bearing". The bearing that rotatably supports the second rotor shaft 13 is referred to as the "second bearing". The first bearing has the first lubricated bearing 4. The first lubricated bearing 4 is a lubricated bearing lubricated with lubricating oil. The first lubricated bearing 4 rotatably supports the first rotor shaft 12. The first lubricated bearing 4 is, for example, a bearing. The first lubricated bearing 4 is disposed inside the fixing portion 7. The second bearing has the second non-lubricated bearing 5. The second non-lubricated bearing 5 is a non-lubricated bearing not lubricated with lubricating oil. The second non-lubricated bearing 5 rotatably supports the second rotor shaft 13. The second non-lubricated bearing 5 is, for example, a metal bush. The second non-lubricated bearing 5 is disposed inside the lid member 8.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the first bearing has a bearing portion 9. The bearing portion 9 is provided between the fixing portion 7 and the first rotor shaft 12. The bearing portion 9 is cylindrical and rotatably supports the first rotor shaft 12. When the rotor main body 11 and the threaded portion 14 are separated from the first rotor shaft 12, the bearing portion 9 can be inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotor 3 from between the fixing portion 7 and the first rotor shaft 12.

[0035] The sealing member 6 is a member that prevents (suppresses) the fluid from leaking through the gap. The sealing member 6 prevents the working fluid from leaking from the chamber 2 toward the motor side (the side from the second rotor shaft 13 toward the first rotor shaft 12). The sealing member 6 prevents the fluid (e.g., lubricating oil) from leaking from the side closer to the motor than the sealing member 6 into the chamber 2. The sealing member 6 is disposed inside the fixing portion 7. The sealing member 6 is provided on the motor side (the side from the second rotor shaft 13 toward the first rotor shaft 12) than the chamber 2. The sealing member 6 is provided on the chamber 2 side with respect to the first lubricating bearing 4. The sealing member 6 is disposed between the first lubricating bearing 4 and the chamber 2. The sealing member 6 has a first sealing member 6a and a second sealing member 6b. The first sealing member 6a is annular and is, for example, a V-ring (registered trademark). The first sealing member 6a is fitted into an annular groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion 9. A plurality of the first sealing members 6a may be provided in the axial direction of the first rotor shaft 12. The second sealing member 6b is, for example, an O-ring. The second sealing member 6b is fitted into an annular groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bearing portion 9. The second sealing member 6b is disposed between the supply / discharge port 2a and the first lubricating bearing 4. A plurality of the second sealing members 6b may be provided in the axial direction of the first rotor shaft 12.

[0036] By extracting the bearing portion 9 from between the fixing portion 7 and the first rotor shaft 12, the first sealing member 6a and the second sealing member 6b can be easily replaced.

[0037] Here, the first lubricating bearing 4 is a lubricating bearing lubricated with lubricating oil. The first lubricating bearing 4 is sealed with the sealing member 6 provided between the first lubricating bearing 4 and the chamber 2. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the physical properties of the kneaded product due to the lubricating oil.

[0038] On the other hand, the second non-lubricating bearing 5 is a non-lubricating bearing not lubricated with lubricating oil. Therefore, there is no need to provide the sealing member 6 between the second non-lubricating bearing 5 and the chamber 2. Thereby, the number of uses of the sealing member 6 can be reduced. Further, by using a non-lubricating bearing, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the physical properties of the kneaded product due to the lubricating oil.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 1, the sealing material 6 may be only the annular third sealing material 6c. The third sealing material 6c is disposed between the supply / discharge port 2a and the first lubricating bearing 4. In this modification, the bearing portion 9 (see FIG. 2) is not provided. The first lubricating bearing 4 can also be sealed by the third sealing material 6c. Note that a plurality of third sealing materials 6c may be provided between the supply / discharge port 2a and the first lubricating bearing 4.

[0040] (Effect of the First Invention) The effects of the kneader 1 shown in FIG. 2 are as follows. The kneader 1 kneads materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state. The kneader 1 includes a chamber 2 in which the materials are kneaded, a rotor 3, a first bearing (the first lubricating bearing 4 in FIG. 2), a second bearing (the second non-lubricating bearing 5 in FIG. 2), and a sealing material 6. The rotor 3 is provided in the chamber 2. The first bearing (the first lubricating bearing 4) rotatably supports the first rotor shaft 12. The first rotor shaft 12 is one axial end portion of the rotor 3 and is connected to the motor. The second bearing (the second non-lubricating bearing 5) rotatably supports the second rotor shaft 13. The second rotor shaft 13 is the other axial end portion of the rotor 3 (the end portion on the side opposite to the side where the first rotor shaft 12 is provided).

[0041] [Configuration 1-1] The sealing material 6 is provided on the motor side of the chamber 2 and is configured to prevent leakage of the working fluid from the chamber 2 to the motor side.

[0042] [Configuration 1-2] One or both of the first bearing and the second bearing have a non-lubricating bearing (the second non-lubricating bearing 5 in FIG. 2) that is not lubricated with lubricating oil.

[0043] With the above [Configuration 1-1], the following effects can be obtained. The first rotor shaft 12 is connected to the motor. Therefore, the first rotor shaft 12 needs to be provided so as to penetrate a member (the fixed part 7 in FIG. 2) that houses the working fluid at a position closer to the motor side than the chamber 2. Thus, in the above [Configuration 1-1], leakage of the working fluid from the chamber 2 to the motor side is prevented by the sealing material 6. Therefore, the sealing performance of the first rotor shaft 12 (the shaft portion of the rotor 3) can be improved.

[0044] With the above [Configuration 1-2], the following effects can be obtained. Neither the first bearing nor the second bearing has a non-lubricated bearing. When one or both of the first bearing and the second bearing have a lubricated bearing, there is a risk that the physical properties of the kneaded material will deteriorate due to the lubricating oil mixing into the kneaded material. On the other hand, in the above [Configuration 1-2], one or both of the first bearing and the second bearing have a non-lubricated bearing (the second non-lubricated bearing 5 in FIG. 2), so the possibility of the lubricating oil mixing into the kneaded material can be reduced. Therefore, deterioration of the physical properties of the kneaded material can be suppressed.

[0045] Also, a non-lubricated bearing is easier to have a simple structure compared to a lubricated bearing (such as a bearing). Therefore, with the above [Configuration 1-2], the bearing can be configured more simply compared to the case where neither the first bearing nor the second bearing has a non-lubricated bearing. As a result, the kneader 1 can be configured more simply. As a result, the maintainability of the kneader 1 can be improved.

[0046] (Effect of the Third Invention) [Configuration 3] The kneader 1 includes a lid member 8. The lid member 8 covers the chamber 2, the second rotor shaft 13, and the second bearing (the second non-lubricated bearing 5 in FIG. 2) and closes the chamber 2. The second bearing has a non-lubricated bearing (the second non-lubricated bearing 5).

[0047] In the above [Configuration 3], the second rotor shaft 13 is covered by the lid member 8 and does not penetrate the lid member 8. Therefore, there is no need to provide a sealing material 6 on the second rotor shaft 13 to prevent the leakage of the working fluid from the chamber 2. Therefore, the number (usage points) of the sealing material 6 can be reduced compared to the case where the sealing material 6 is provided on the second rotor shaft 13. As a result, the structure of the kneader 1 becomes simpler, so that the maintainability of the kneader 1 can be further improved. In addition, since there is no need to provide the sealing material 6 between the second non-lubricated bearing 5 and the chamber 2, the distance between the first lubricated bearing 4 and the second non-lubricated bearing 5 can be shortened. As a result, the eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed. Thereby, seizure of the bearing due to the eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed.

[0048] (Effect of the Fourth Invention) [Configuration 4] The first bearing has a first lubricated bearing 4 (lubricated bearing) lubricated with lubricating oil. The sealing material 6 is provided between the first lubricated bearing 4 and the chamber 2 and is configured to prevent the leakage of fluid from the motor side (the first lubricated bearing 4 side in FIG. 2) to the chamber 2.

[0049] According to the above [Configuration 4], the leakage of the lubricating oil from the first lubricated bearing 4 to the chamber 2 is prevented by the sealing material 6. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the mixing of the lubricating oil into the kneaded product. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the physical properties of the kneaded product.

[0050] According to the above [Configuration 4], the following effect may be obtained. Usually, a lubricated bearing (the first lubricated bearing 4) has a longer life (for example, is less likely to wear) than a non-lubricated bearing. Therefore, the maintainability of the first bearing can be improved compared to the case where the first bearing does not include the first lubricated bearing 4. As a result, the maintainability of the kneader 1 can be improved.

[0051] [Second Embodiment] Next, the kneader of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that descriptions of configurations common to the first embodiment and the effects thereof will be omitted, and mainly, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

[0052] (Configuration of the Kneader) As shown in FIG. 4 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 101, the kneader 101 of the present embodiment has a first non-lubricated bearing 51 in addition to the first lubricated bearing 4 and the second non-lubricated bearing 5. The first bearing has the first non-lubricated bearing 51 in addition to the first lubricated bearing 4. The first non-lubricated bearing 51 is provided between the sealing material 6 and the chamber 2. The first non-lubricated bearing 51 is provided between the chamber 2 and the first lubricated bearing 4. Further, the first non-lubricated bearing 51 is provided between the supply / discharge port 2a and the first lubricated bearing 4.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the bearing portion 9 (see FIG. 2) is not provided, and the sealing material 6 is only the annular third sealing material 6c. The third sealing material 6c is provided between the first lubricated bearing 4 and the first non-lubricated bearing 51. Note that a plurality of third sealing materials 6c may be provided between the first lubricated bearing 4 and the first non-lubricated bearing 51.

[0054] By increasing the number of bearings supporting the shaft portion of the rotor 3, eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed. Thereby, seizure of the bearing due to eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed.

[0055] (Effect of the Second Invention) The effects of the kneader 101 shown in FIG. 4 are as follows.

[0056] [Configuration 2] Each of the first bearing and the second bearing has a non-lubricated bearing (the second non-lubricated bearing 5 and the first non-lubricated bearing 51 in FIG. 4).

[0057] According to the above [Configuration 2], when only one of the first bearing and the second bearing has a non-lubricated bearing (see Fig. 2), the deterioration of the physical properties of the kneaded material can be more suppressed, and the kneader 1 can be made into a simpler configuration.

[0058] (Effect of the fifth invention) [Configuration 5] The first bearing has a non-lubricated bearing (first non-lubricated bearing 51) provided between the seal member 6 and the chamber 2.

[0059] According to the above [Configuration 5], the distance between the first non-lubricated bearing 51 and the second bearing (the second non-lubricated bearing 5 in Fig. 4) can be shortened compared with the case where the first non-lubricated bearing 51 is provided on the side opposite to the chamber 2 side with respect to the seal member 6 (that is, the motor side). As a result, the eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed. Thereby, seizure of the bearing due to the eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed.

[0060] [Third Embodiment] Next, the kneader of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the description of the configuration common to the second embodiment and the effects achieved thereby will be omitted, and mainly the points different from the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same members as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the second embodiment.

[0061] (Configuration of the kneader) As shown in Fig. 5 which is a cross-sectional view of the kneader 201 of the present embodiment, in the kneader 201 of the present embodiment, the first bearing has the first non-lubricated bearing 51 and does not have the first lubricated bearing 4 (see Fig. 3).

[0062] In the present embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, the bearing portion 9 (see Fig. 2) is not provided, and the seal member 6 is only the annular third seal member 6c. The third seal member 6c is provided on the side opposite to the chamber 2 with respect to the first non-lubricated bearing 51. A plurality of third seal members 6c may be provided between the first non-lubricated bearing 51 and the motor. Note that the third seal member 6c may be provided on the chamber 2 side with respect to the first non-lubricated bearing 51.

[0063] Note that, between the supply / discharge port 2a and the first non-lubricated bearing 51, or between the first non-lubricated bearing 51 and the third sealing material 6c, another first non-lubricated bearing 51 may be provided. By increasing the number of bearings that support the shaft portion of the rotor 3, the eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed. Thereby, seizure of the bearing due to the eccentricity of the rotor 3 can be suppressed.

[0064] As described above, although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, they are merely illustrative of specific examples and do not particularly limit the present invention. Specifically, the configuration and the like can be appropriately changed in design. Also, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention are merely a list of the most suitable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0065] For example, in FIGS. 2 to 5, although the configurations of the bearings and the sealing material 6 are the same between one and the other of the pair of rotors 3, they may be different. For example, among the pair of rotors 3, the first bearing that supports the first rotor shaft 12 connected to the motor may have only the first bearing 4, and the first bearing that supports the first rotor shaft 12 of the other rotor 3 may have only a non-lubricated bearing.

[0066] For example, the first bearing may have the first non-lubricated bearing 51 (see FIG. 4), and the second bearing may not have the second non-lubricated bearing 5 (see FIG. 2). In this case, the second bearing may have a lubricated bearing. In this case, a sealing material 6 (see FIG. 2) may be provided between the lubricated bearing of the second bearing and the chamber 2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1,101,201 Kneader 2 Chamber 2a Supply / Discharge Port 3 Rotor 4 First Lubricated Bearing (First Bearing) 5 Second Non-Lubricated Bearing (Second Bearing) 6 Sealing Material 6a First Sealing Material 6b Second Sealing Material 6c Third sealing material 7 Fixing part 8 Cover member 9 Bearing part (first bearing) 11 Rotor body 12 First rotor shaft 13 Second rotor shaft 14 Thread part 20 Kneading device 21 Manufacturing part 22 Kneading part 23 Return flow path 31 Tank 32 First heat exchanger 33 Pump 34 Second heat exchanger 42 Control valve 43 Separation filter 51 First non-lubricated bearing (first bearing)

Claims

1. A kneader for kneading materials in the presence of a working fluid in a supercritical state or a subcritical state, comprising: a chamber in which the materials are kneaded; a rotor provided in the chamber; a first bearing that rotatably supports a first rotor shaft which is one axial end of the rotor and is connected to a motor; a second bearing that rotatably supports a second rotor shaft which is the other axial end of the rotor; a sealing material provided on the motor side of the chamber and configured to prevent leakage of the working fluid from the chamber to the motor side; and having One or both of the first bearing and the second bearing have non-lubricated bearings that are not lubricated with lubricating oil. The kneader is characterized by this.

2. The kneader according to claim 1, wherein each of the first bearing and the second bearing has the non-lubricated bearing.

3. A lid member that covers the chamber, the second rotor shaft, and the second bearing and closes the chamber is provided. The kneader according to claim 1, wherein the second bearing has the non-lubricated bearing.

4. The first bearing has a lubricated bearing that is lubricated with the lubricating oil. The kneader according to claim 1, wherein the sealing material is provided between the lubricated bearing and the chamber and is configured to prevent leakage of fluid from the motor side to the chamber.

5. The kneader according to claim 1, wherein the first bearing has the non-lubricated bearing provided between the sealing material and the chamber.

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