Polymer Melt Cleaning via Filter-Vacuum Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning polymer melts in extrusion processes require multiple steps and long residence times, increasing the risk of decomposition and equipment complexity, while also failing to minimize contamination from volatile and solid foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that combine degassing and filtration into a single process step by forcing the polymer melt through a filter element into a vacuum chamber, where solid contaminants are absorbed and volatile substances are removed, utilizing a vacuum to enhance degassing efficiency and a filter element with a larger outlet surface for effective material separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple process steps (degassing and filtration) are used to clean polymer melt, then purification effectiveness is improved, but residence time increases and equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the degassing and filtration processes into a single integrated step. The filter element is positioned such that its outlet surface is exposed to the vacuum chamber, allowing the polymer melt to simultaneously undergo filtration through the filter element and degassing in the vacuum chamber during one continuous process step, thereby reducing residence time while maintaining purification effectiveness
2Reliability
If multiple process steps (degassing and filtration) are used to clean polymer melt, then purification effectiveness is improved, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the degassing and filtration functions into a single device configuration. The filter element is strategically positioned with its outlet surface in the vacuum chamber, allowing one piece of equipment to perform both filtration and degassing functions simultaneously, thereby reducing equipment complexity while maintaining high purification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum chamber serves multiple functions: it provides the vacuum environment for degassing, collects volatile foreign substances, and accommodates the filter element outlet surface for filtration. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate equipment pieces needed while maintaining comprehensive purification capability
3Reliability
If traditional degassing and filtration steps are used, then volatile and solid contaminants are removed, but decomposition products may form due to long residence times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rushes through the purification process by combining filtration and degassing into one rapid step. The polymer melt passes quickly through the filter element and into the vacuum chamber where volatile contaminants are immediately removed, significantly reducing the overall residence time and minimizing the formation of decomposition products while still effectively removing both solid and volatile contaminants
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for rapid and efficient cleaning of polymer melts with minimal equipment, reducing residence times and preventing decomposition, while ensuring effective removal of both solid and volatile contaminants, thus improving the quality of the polymer melt.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer melt is forced through a filter element into a vacuum chamber. The solid foreign substances are absorbed by the filter element, and the volatile foreign substances are collected in the vacuum chamber.
Implementation Method 2
To free the polymer melt of volatile foreign substances, it is common to degas the polymer melt. This involves bringing the surface of the polymer melt into contact with a vacuum so that the volatile constituents can be released from the melt.
Implementation Method 3
To remove solid foreign matter, the polymer melt is filtered using filter elements. This process step is typically carried out using filter devices, such as those known from DE 199 12 433 A1. The polymer melt is passed through a filter element, which filters out the solid foreign matter from the polymer melt stream depending on the filter fineness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for cleaning a polymer melt, which allow volatile foreign substances and solid foreign substances to be removed from said polymer melt, characterised by a filter element (4) and a vacuum of a vacuum chamber (2), the polymer melt being fed through the filter element into the vacuum of the vacuum chamber (2), said filter element (4) binding the solid foreign substances and the vacuum chamber (2) taking up the volatile foreign substances.