Modeling of agglomerate dispersion in single screw extruders

Abstract

A model for solid agglomerate dispersion in single screw extruders is proposed. The model combines numerical simulations of flow patterns in the metering section of a single screw extruder with a Monte Carlo method of clusters rupture and erosion mediated by a local fragmentation number. Particle size distributions and Shannon entropy are used for mixing characterization. The model is quite general and can be adapted for different polymer-additive systems as well as for different processing equipment.