Processing apparatus and method for calculating filling rate in processing apparatus

Abstract

To calculate a raw material filling rate in a processing apparatus by simple means without spending time and cost.SOLUTION: An inert gas G is supplied to a processing apparatus 1 from an opening other than a supply port 3 for a raw material which is a liquid or viscous fluid, a supply amount of the inert gas G and a pressure value inside the processing apparatus 1 are measured, and a raw material filling rate inside the processing apparatus 1 is calculated from a relationship between the supply amount and the pressure value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing device such as a kneader and a method for calculating a filling rate in the processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there are known processing devices, such as kneaders, that measure the filling rate of a raw material that is a liquid or viscous fluid.

[0003] The processing device of Patent Document 1 uses an optical measurement unit to measure the filling rate based on the intensity of light reflected from the raw material being kneaded.

[0004] Furthermore, the processing device of Patent Document 2 simulates the filling rate using the resin properties of the raw material, the operating conditions of the extruder, and the configuration data of the screw. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-50491 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3679392 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] These methods for measuring the filling rate require the preparation of a large amount of experimental data in advance, which requires a huge amount of time and cost.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to calculate the filling rate of raw material in a processing device using simple means without requiring much time or cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the filling rate of the raw material in the processing device is calculated using the supply amount of inert gas and the pressure value inside the processing device.

[0009] Specifically, the first invention is directed to a processing device capable of measuring the filling rate of a raw material that is a liquid or viscous fluid, The processing device includes: a processing device body having a supply port for the raw material; an inert gas supply unit provided at an opening other than the raw material supply port in the processing apparatus main body; a flow rate measuring unit that measures the amount of inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply unit to the processing device; a pressure measuring unit for measuring a pressure value inside the processing device; The apparatus further includes a control unit that calculates a filling rate of the raw material inside the processing apparatus from the relationship between the supply amount and the pressure value.

[0010] According to the above configuration, if the amount of inert gas supplied and the pressure value inside the processing device are measured, the control unit can calculate the raw material filling rate inside the processing device from these measured values, so there is no need to prepare a large amount of experimental data in advance. Inside the processing device, the raw material displaces irregularly due to agitation, but by utilizing the properties of the inert gas and filling all the space volume other than the raw material with inert gas, it is possible to calculate the raw material filling rate.

[0011] In the second invention, in the first invention, the inert gas supply unit includes a gas supply pipe communicating with the opening, The gas supply pipe is provided with the flow rate measuring unit and the pressure measuring unit.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the flow rate measuring unit and the pressure measuring unit provided in the gas supply pipe can provide accurate measured values ​​required to calculate the source filling rate.

[0013] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, The processing device is a kneader.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the residence time of the raw materials in the kneader can be estimated, and by keeping the residence time constant, the uniformity of the kneaded product can be improved. Furthermore, by determining the residence time (filling rate) of the raw materials in the kneader, it becomes easy to estimate the kneading frequency and reaction time.

[0015] The fourth invention is directed to a filling rate calculation method for calculating a filling rate of a raw material in a processing device for a raw material that is a liquid or viscous fluid, The filling rate calculation method includes: supplying an inert gas to the processing device through an opening other than the raw material supply port; measuring the supply amount of the inert gas and the pressure value inside the processing device; and calculating a filling rate of the raw material inside the processing device from the relationship between the supply amount and the pressure value.

[0016] According to the above configuration, if the supply amount of inert gas and the pressure value inside the processing device are measured, the filling rate of the raw material inside the processing device can be calculated from these measured values, so there is no need to collect a large amount of experimental data in advance. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, the filling rate of raw material in a processing device can be calculated by a simple means without requiring much time or cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a kneader according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a table showing calculated values ​​of examples according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) 1 shows a twin-screw kneader 1 as a processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The processing device may be, for example, a single-screw kneader, a reactor, or the like, in addition to the twin-screw kneader 1.

[0021] The target raw materials R are liquid or viscous fluids, but do not include powder raw materials, raw materials that undergo sudden reactions, or raw materials that generate gas. Examples include liquid raw materials such as molten resins, and viscous fluid raw materials such as slurries and adhesives.

[0022] The twin-screw kneader 1 is equipped with a kneader body 2 in the form of a sealed container, and this kneader body 2 is equipped with a raw material supply port 3. A fixed amount of liquid or viscous fluid raw material R is continuously supplied to this raw material supply port 3 using a raw material supply pump 4 or the like.

[0023] The twin-screw extruder 1 has a gas supply port 5 consisting of a nozzle and a flange, and a gas supply pipe 6 is connected to this gas supply port 5. An inert gas G such as nitrogen is supplied to this gas supply pipe 6. In this embodiment, it is possible to vent the inside of the extruder body 2 by providing a valve (not shown) in the gas supply pipe 6 or by using one of the openings of the extruder body 2. In this embodiment, the gas used is nitrogen, but any inert gas other than nitrogen may be used. For example, an inert gas such as argon may be used. Here, it is assumed that the spatial volume VL inside the extruder body 2 during measurement is constant.

[0024] A pair of agitator shafts 8, which are driven to rotate by an electric motor 8a, are inserted in a sealed state inside the kneader main body 2. Agitator blades shaped to suit the kneading conditions of the raw material R are attached integrally to the agitator shafts 8. The kneaded raw material R is conveyed downstream while being agitated by the agitator shafts 8 in a heated or cooled state, and is discharged from a product outlet 9 as a liquid or slurry product W after a predetermined residence time.

[0025] For example, a volumetric flow meter 10 and a pressure meter 11 are provided midway along the gas supply pipe 6. An integrated measuring instrument in which the pressure meter 11 is attached to the volumetric flow meter 10 may also be used. In this embodiment, the filling rate is calculated intermittently at predetermined intervals, but continuous measurement may also be performed. The measured values ​​obtained by the volumetric flow meter 10 and the pressure meter 11 are transmitted to a control unit 20 having a microcomputer via a recorder, interface, etc. (not shown). The values ​​calculated by the control unit 20 may be displayed on a display (not shown) or stored in a storage medium.

[0026] -Filling rate calculation method- First, in the raw material supply step, as shown in Fig. 1, nitrogen gas as an inert gas G is supplied into the kneader body 2 from a gas supply port 5 other than the raw material supply port 3 during continuous operation of the twin-screw kneader 1. The gas supply port 5 is provided on the downstream side as shown in Fig. 1, but may also be provided on the upstream side as indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0027] Next, in the measurement step, the amount (volume) of the introduced nitrogen gas and the pressure fluctuations inside the kneader main body 2 are measured by the volumetric flow meter 10 and the pressure meter 11. The volumetric flow meter 10 measures the integrated amount of nitrogen gas, and the pressure meter 11 measures the pressure change. In FIG. 1, the volumetric flow meter 10 and the pressure meter 11 are provided separately, but an integrated system including both may also be used. The measured values ​​are sent to the control unit 20.

[0028] Next, a raw material filling rate calculation step is performed. In this step, the control unit 20 calculates the volume of the space in the kneading machine main body 2 that is not filled with the raw material R based on PV=nRT (Boyle's law), and calculates the amount of the raw material R remaining in the kneading machine main body 2.

[0029] At this time, the overall spatial volume VL of the twin-screw kneader 1 to be used is confirmed in advance by calculation or actual measurement, but there is no need to prepare a large amount of experimental data in advance as in the conventional method.

[0030] Once the filling rate is known, the residence time of the raw material R in the kneader main body 2 can be calculated as shown in the following formula. In continuous kneading and continuous reaction, the residence time in the kneader main body 2 is an important factor.

[0031] Residence time (h) = (total space volume (L) x filling rate (%)) / supply amount (L / h)

[0032] For example, in continuous operation, a constant residence time (filling rate) in the kneader body 2 leads to uniformity of the product.

[0033] Furthermore, since this is linked to the kneading frequency in kneading and the reaction time in reaction, it is important to determine the residence time (filling rate) in the kneader main body 2 during continuous operation.

[0034] -Example- 2, in this example, the total spatial volume N within the kneader body 2 is 10 L, the continuous supply amount and product discharge rate are 20 L / h, the pressure P0 within the kneader body 2 during operation is 0.101 MPa, and the pressure within the kneader body 2 after gas introduction is P1 MPa. The gas introduction amount is Ngas L, the spatial volume within the kneader body 2 during operation, i.e., the amount of gas within the kneader body 2, is n0 L, and the amount of gas within the kneader body 2 after gas introduction is n1 L.

[0035] Specifically, the filling rate inside the kneader body 2 of the twin-screw kneader 1 is calculated. The temperature T is constant, and the spatial volume VL at the time of measurement is constant.

[0036] Since PV=nRT, and V, R, and T are constant, P0 / n0=P1 / n1.

[0037] Here, if the product filling rate inside the kneader main body 2 is 0%, and 5 L of gas is put into a 10 L space, P1 = P0 × (n1 / n0) = 0.101 (MPa) × (15 / 10) = 0.1515 MPa.

[0038] Example 1 If n0 is X, then n1=(X+5) n1 / n0=P1 / P0 (X+5) / X=0.180 / 0.101 X = 5 / (0.180 / 0.101-1) = 6.392(L)

[0039] This value is the space volume during operation, Filling rate = (10-6.392) / 10 x 100 = 36.1 (%)

[0040] In this case, the residence time is 10 (L) × 36.1 (%) / 20 (L / h) × 60 (min) = 10.83 (min).

[0041] Example 2 If n0 is X, then n1=(X+5) n1 / n0=P1 / P0 (X+5) / X=0.200 / 0.101 X = 5 / (0.200 / 0.101-1) = 5.101(L)

[0042] This value is the space volume during operation, Filling rate = (10-5.101) / 10 x 100 = 49.0 (%)

[0043] In this case, the residence time is 10 (L) × 49.0 (%) / 20 (L / h) × 60 (min) = 14.7 (min).

[0044] In this way, the residence time can be calculated from the filling rate. For example, by determining the rotation speed and rotation torque of the electric motor 8a so as to obtain the residence time as in Examples 1 and 2, the quality of the product W after stirring can be maintained.

[0045] Therefore, with the twin-screw kneader 1 according to this embodiment, the filling rate of the raw material inside the twin-screw kneader 1 can be calculated by simple means without spending time or money. As a result, the residence time of the raw material inside the twin-screw kneader 1 can be estimated, and by keeping the residence time constant, the uniformity of the kneaded product can be achieved. Furthermore, by determining the residence time (filling rate) of the raw material inside the twin-screw kneader 1, it becomes easy to estimate the kneading frequency and reaction time. Furthermore, by measuring multiple times, it is possible to check whether the filling rate has not changed.

[0046] (Other embodiments) The present invention may be configured as follows in relation to the above embodiment.

[0047] That is, in the above embodiment, a microcomputer has been described as an example of the control unit (controller). However, the control unit may be physically configured in any way as long as it controls the twin-screw kneader (processing device). For example, the control unit may use software (programs), such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). Alternatively, the control unit may be realized by combining hardware (circuit components).

[0048] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or uses. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1. Twin-screw mixer (processing equipment) 2. Mixer body (processing device body) 3 Raw material supply port 4. Raw material supply pump 5 Gas supply port 6 Gas supply piping 8 Agitator shaft 8a Electric motor 9 Product outlet 10 Volumetric flow meter (flow measurement part) 11 Pressure gauge (pressure measurement part) 20 Control Unit R raw material W Products G Inert gas (nitrogen)

Claims

1. A processing device (1) capable of measuring the filling rate of a liquid or viscous fluid raw material, a processing device body (2) having a supply port (3) for the raw material; an inert gas supply unit (6) provided at an opening other than the raw material supply port (3) in the processing device main body (2); a flow rate measuring unit (10) for measuring the amount of inert gas (G) supplied from the inert gas supply unit (6) to the treatment device (1); a pressure measuring unit (11) for measuring a pressure value inside the processing device (1); a control unit (20) for calculating a filling rate of the raw material inside the processing device (1) from the relationship between the supply amount and the pressure value. A processing device (1).

2. the inert gas supply unit (6) includes a gas supply pipe communicating with the opening, The gas supply pipe is provided with the flow rate measuring unit (10) and the pressure measuring unit (11). Processing device (1) according to claim 1 .

3. The processing device (1) is a kneader 3. Processing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A method for measuring a filling rate of a raw material in a processing device (1) for a liquid or viscous fluid, comprising: supplying an inert gas (G) to the processing device (1) from an opening other than the raw material supply port (3) in the processing device (1); a step of measuring the supply amount of the inert gas (G) and the internal pressure value of the treatment device (1); and a step of calculating a filling rate of the raw material inside the processing device (1) from the relationship between the supply amount and the pressure value. A method for calculating a filling rate in a processing apparatus, comprising:

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