Twin Screw Dewatering Machine Fusing Polymer Particles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dewatering and drying processes for polymers and elastomers suffer from the escape of fine particles, require multiple machines, and involve high volatility, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A dewatering machine with a solid barrel and intermeshing twin screws that fuse particles to reduce fines escape, combined with mechanical filters to efficiently remove moisture, allowing for single-machine operation and reduced volatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple dewatering machines are used to remove sufficient water, then water removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removal effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of machines

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines dewatering and drying functions into a single integrated machine with a solid barrel and intermeshing screws. The system performs both water removal and moisture reduction in one continuous process, eliminating the need for separate dewatering and drying machines while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single dewatering machine is designed to perform multiple functions: removing bulk water through mechanical filtration and reducing residual moisture through the solid barrel configuration. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required multiple specialized machines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional dewatering processes are used, then water removal is achieved, but fine particles escape with the moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removalVSAvoidfines escape

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a solid barrel configuration that acts as a containment structure, preventing fine particles from escaping with the removed moisture. The solid wall design ensures that only water passes through the mechanical filters while retaining fines within the processing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The intermeshing screws act as an intermediary mechanism that processes the polymer-elastomer slurry in a controlled manner. The screw configuration provides mechanical action that separates water from fines while preventing particle loss, and the solid barrel serves as an intermediary containment structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If dewatering machines with open designs are used, then operation is simplified, but volatility and vapor escape increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachine design simplicityVSAvoidvapor and particle volatility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The solid barrel serves as an enclosed shell structure that contains the processing environment. This enclosure prevents volatile vapors and particles from escaping into the surrounding environment while still allowing for operational access and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The solid barrel creates a contained environment that isolates the volatile polymer-elastomer mixture from the external atmosphere. This enclosed space prevents unwanted interactions with external air and contains all vapors and particles generated during the dewatering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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

The solution effectively reduces the escape of fines and volatility, achieving moisture reduction from up to 20% to less than 0.5% water by weight in polymers and up to 50% to less than 3% in elastomers using a single machine, thereby improving efficiency and safety while minimizing waste and energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The machine includes means that enable particles of the polymer or the elastomer to fuse, which reduces the amount of fines that escape from the machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFusion:

Implementation Method 2

At least one mechanical filter is connected to the barrel to remove moisture from the polymer or the elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

A dewatering machine with a solid barrel and intermeshing twin screws that fuse particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS9316439B2Dewatering machine and process

Publication Date: 2016.04.19 NFM WELDING ENGINEERS

AI summary

A dewatering machine for reducing moisture of a polymer or an elastomer includes a generally solid barrel and a pair of screws disposed in the barrel. At least a portion of the screws are intermeshing, and drive means are coupled to the screws. At least one mechanical filter is connected to the barrel. The machine includes means that enable particles of the polymer or the elastomer to fuse, which reduces the amount of fines that escape from the machine. In addition, the machine reduces the moisture of the polymer from up to about 20 percent water by weight to less than about 0.5 percent water by weight, and the moisture of the elastomer from up to about 50 percent water by weight to less than about 3.0 percent water by weight. A method of dewatering for reducing the moisture of a polymer or an elastomer is also provided.