RingExtruder: How it Works

Mixing

The RingExtruder has 6 times the number of channels & mixing regions and 12 times the intermeshing areas compared to a typical twin-screw extruder. The result is superior mixing!

Melt dispersive mixing is enhanced by the screw-to-screw transfer of material throughout the compounding process. As material is transferred from element to element, it is conveyed against the receiving element, reorients, and then is conveyed away by the receiving element.

This material flow occurs twelve times more often in the RingExtruder compared to a twin-screw extruder and provides increased mixing without needing multiple kneading or other higher shear elements. The RingExtruder also offers unique segmented screw elements with and without barrier to enhance this material flow and provide flow-splitting while benefiting from the increased number of element-to-element interactions. These elements also offer very efficient flow splitting, which occurs twelve times more often, for very efficient distributive mixing. The combined distributive and dispersive mixing efficiencies of the RingExtruder have proven superior to those of other continuous and batch mixing equipment.

Devolatilization & Reactive Extrusion

Devolatilization is more efficient with the RingExtruder. Its unique design has 2 times the self-wiping, 12 times the intermesh areas providing continuous surface area renewal, shorter diffusion paths for a given throughput, devolatilization from the inside as well as the outside of the ring of screws, and vents that can be located around the ring. The material is spread over 12 screws instead of 1 or 2 screws, and surface area is renewed with each screw revolution.

Reactive Extrusion is more efficient with the shorter diffusion paths combined with the dramatically increased residence time for a given screw diameter. Volatile byproducts can be efficiently removed for higher reaction rates.