Abstract: A processing installation for the processing of bulk material has a vacuum filter insert for degassing of the bulk material. The vacuum filter insert is arranged in a casing of a screw machine downstream of the feed opening thereof and is provided with at least one filter element so that the vacuum filter insert forms a gas-permeable wall portion which defines the at least one casing bore of the screw machine. Seen in a degassing direction, a protective element comprising a plurality of through-openings is arranged upstream of the at least one filter element. The protective element acts as a granule protection for the at least one filter element and prevents granular bulk material from damaging the at least one filter element. As a result, the vacuum filter insert has a longer service life, thus ensuring a long operating time for the processing installation without interruptions.

Abstract: In a processing plant for producing plastics material granulate, the start-up takes place in such a way that a screw machine is firstly driven by means of a drive device and then plastics material to be processed is fed by means of a metering device into the screw machine. At least one conveying position of the plastics material in the screw machine is determined by means of a control device by evaluating at least one measuring signal. Depending on the conveying position determined, a granulating device is activated and put into operation. The method according to the invention allows a direct start-up of the processing plant without the use of a start-up valve. This ensures an easy and safe start-up of the processing plant.

Abstract: A treatment element to treat material in a multi-shaft worm machine has an outer contour with at least one outer contour portion, the associated evolute of which is a quantity of at least three points, each of the points lying outside the longitudinal axis and within the outer radius of the treatment element and two respective adjacent points having a spacing from one another, which is less than half the core radius. The treatment element ensures high flexibility during the adjustment of shear and/or extensional flows on the material to be treated.

Abstract: A processing installation for the processing of bulk material has a vacuum filter insert for degassing of the bulk material. The vacuum filter insert is arranged in a casing of a screw machine downstream of the feed opening thereof and is provided with at least one filter element so that the vacuum filter insert forms a gas-permeable wall portion which defines the at least one casing bore of the screw machine. Seen in a degassing direction, a protective element comprising a plurality of through-openings is arranged upstream of the at least one filter element. The protective element acts as a granule protection for the at least one filter element and prevents granular bulk material from damaging the at least one filter element. As a result, the vacuum filter insert has a longer service life, thus ensuring a long operating time for the processing installation without interruptions.

Abstract: A conveyor device is used for the pneumatic conveying of bulk material. The conveyor device has a main conveyor pipe and a plurality of bypass conveyor pipe sections which are separate from one another and arranged one behind the other within the latter. The main extent direction of the bypass conveyor pipe sections runs along the main conveyor pipe. The bypass conveyor pipe sections in each case have an inlet opening and an outlet opening for conveyor gas. The inlet opening, when the main conveyor pipe is horizontally installed, is arranged in a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, which is located above a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, in which the outlet opening is arranged. The result is a conveyor device, of which the efficiency, in other words the ratio of the conveying power and the conveyor gas quantity used, is improved.

Abstract: In a screw machine, to extend the material to be prepared with the latter, at least one processing element is configured as an extension-kneading element, the crest region of which has a reduced thickness compared to a flank region and, with adjacent processing elements, forms an extension channel for the material in the region between the triangles, which tapers in cross section in the flow direction of the material. Because of the tapering of the extension channel, the material is accelerated in the flow direction thereof and extended, so that high-molecular particles in the material are divided and the latter is therefore homogenized.

Abstract: In a processing plant for producing plastics material granulate, the start-up takes place in such a way that a screw machine is firstly driven by means of a drive device and then plastics material to be processed is fed by means of a metering device into the screw machine. At least one conveying position of the plastics material in the screw machine is determined by means of a control device by evaluating at least one measuring signal. Depending on the conveying position determined, a granulating device is activated and put into operation. The method according to the invention allows a direct start-up of the processing plant without the use of a start-up valve. This ensures an easy and safe start-up of the processing plant.

Abstract: A screw machine, in particular an extruder, has a housing which has a supply opening at a supply end. At least one bore with a longitudinal axis is provided, in which a screw shaft is rotatably arranged. The drive takes place by means of a drive motor using a gear, the output shaft of which has a rotary drive connection to the screw shaft. Provided between the housing and the gear is a slide connection, which allows a displacement of the housing relative to the gear in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A loading system for loading bulk material from a bulk material production plant onto a ship has at least one stationary intermediate storage container for receiving the bulk material from the bulk material production plant. A first loading conveying device is used to convey the bulk material from the bulk material production plant into the intermediate storage container. A second loading conveying device is used to convey the bulk material from the intermediate storage container into the ship. An unloading system for loading bulk material from a ship onto transporters has a stationary intermediate storage container for receiving the bulk material from the ship. Two unloading conveying devices are used to convey the bulk material, from the ship into the intermediate storage container and, from the intermediate storage container into the transporters.

Abstract: A processing installation for devolatilization of polymer melts comprises a first extruder and a second extruder arranged downstream thereof in a direction of conveyance. The first extruder comprises several rotatably drivable first shafts which are provided with first treatment members and several devolatilization zones with associated devolatilization ports. Correspondingly, the second extruder comprises several rotatably drivable second shafts which are provided with second treatment members and several second devolatilization zones with associated devolatilization ports. The first treatment members have an external diameter which is smaller than or equal to that of the second treatment members. A devolatilization unit is arranged in a transfer zone which interconnects the extruders. The devolatilization unit comprises a perforated plate and a clearance arranged downstream in the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: A screw machine for treating at least partially powdery bulk material has a housing with at least one housing bore and a screw arranged in the housing bore. A vacuum housing portion is provided, which is formed as a vacuum housing insert, which is releasably attached in the housing, in which a metal nonwoven is exchangeably held as a gas-permeable wall portion on a base body.

Abstract: A device for producing granules has a water-cooled granulating mechanism for producing plastics material granules. A discharge line arranged downstream of the granulating mechanism discharges a starting mixture flow and a granule heat exchanger arranged downstream of the discharge line controls the temperature of the mixture containing the plastics material granules and cooling water using parallel fluid passages. The granule heat exchanger has an inlet and an outlet for a transmission heat exchanger medium. A drying mechanism arranged downstream of the granule heat exchanger dries the plastics material granules. The device also may have an energy recovery mechanism arranged downstream of the discharge line for recovering energy from a recovery cooling water flow, containing at least a part of the cooling water of the starting mixture flow. The device uses waste heat, transmitted to the cooling water to increase the performance of the device and improve the energy efficiency thereof.

Abstract: A processing installation for devolatilization of polymer melts comprises a first extruder and a second extruder arranged downstream thereof in a direction of conveyance. The first extruder comprises several rotatably drivable first shafts which are provided with first treatment members and several devolatilization zones with associated devolatilization ports. Correspondingly, the second extruder comprises several rotatably drivable second shafts which are provided with second treatment members and several second devolatilization zones with associated devolatilization ports. The first treatment members have an external diameter which is smaller than or equal to that of the second treatment members. A devolatilization unit is arranged in a transfer zone which interconnects the extruders. The devolatilization unit comprises a perforated plate and a clearance arranged downstream in the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: A conveyor device is used for the pneumatic conveying of bulk material. The conveyor device has a main conveyor pipe and a plurality of bypass conveyor pipe sections which are separate from one another and arranged one behind the other within the latter. The main extent direction of the bypass conveyor pipe sections runs along the main conveyor pipe. The bypass conveyor pipe sections in each case have an inlet opening and an outlet opening for conveyor gas. The inlet opening, when the main conveyor pipe is horizontally installed, is arranged in a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, which is located above a cross sectional portion of the main conveyor pipe, in which the outlet opening is arranged. The result is a conveyor device, of which the efficiency, in other words the ratio of the conveying power and the conveyor gas quantity used, is improved.

Abstract: In a screw machine, to extend the material to be prepared with the latter, at least one processing element is configured as an extension-kneading element, the crest region of which has a reduced thickness compared to a flank region and, with adjacent processing elements, forms an extension channel for the material in the region between the triangles, which tapers in cross section in the flow direction of the material. Because of the tapering of the extension channel, the material is accelerated in the flow direction thereof and extended, so that high-molecular particles in the material are divided and the latter is therefore homogenized.

Abstract: A material processing plant comprises two screw-type extruding machines (1, 2) which are interconnected by means of a link (29). The link (29) is movable from a position of connection into an open position of release of the casing bores (12). Provision is further made for a mover (38) which acts on the link (29) for implementation of the motion.

Abstract: A screw machine for treating at least partially powdery bulk material has a housing with at least one housing bore and a screw arranged in the housing bore. A vacuum housing portion is provided, which is formed as a vacuum housing insert, which is releasably attached in the housing, in which a metal nonwoven is exchangeably held as a gas-permeable wall portion on a base body.

Abstract: A measuring device for detecting the state of wear of the bore walls of two interpenetrating housing bores, having mutually parallel bore axes, of at least two-shaft screw extruders has a carriage provided with rear drive wheels, front guide wheels and contactlessly operating distance sensors which can each be pivotally driven about a bore axis and can be positioned at a distance from the respective bore wall.

Abstract: An extruder has a casing with at least one bore. One screw each is arranged in the bore in a rotatably drivable manner and is provided with a screw tip adjoining a nozzle plate. A shearing tool is arranged at the screw tip directly in front of the nozzle plate and is provided with at least one arm, with a shearing gap being formed between said arm and the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A worm shaft coupling for connecting a driven shaft of a transmission mechanism and a coaxially arranged worm shaft of an extruder has a coupling sleeve which connects two coupling pegs in a torque-proof manner and is, in turn axially secured using threaded sleeves. The internal thread of the threaded sleeve facing the worm shaft of the extruder and the associated external thread of the coupling sleeve have recesses allowing the threaded sleeve and the coupling sleeve to be connected in the manner of a bayonet fixing.