Abstract: Flow restriction assemblies (10,10a) adapted to be mounted on single or twin screw extruders (17,102) in order to allow selective adjustment of material flow through the extruders (17,102), with consequent alteration in back pressure and shear conditions. The assemblies (10,10a) each have shearlock(s) (12,12a) mounted on the extruder drive shaft(s) (34,34a), together with restriction units (14,14a). The units (14,14a) have opposed flow restriction components (48,50,48a,50a) supported on opposite sides of the shearlock(s) (12,12a) and mounted for a substantially aligned and rectilinear back and forth sliding movement. In this fashion, the clearance between the inner surfaces (54,55,54a,55a) of the components (48,50,48a,50a) can be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: Methods of controlling waste streams and products in extrusion systems are provided in order to create from such materials consistent-quality recyclable waste streams which can be directly fed to an extruder without creating upset conditions or production of out of specification extrudates. In the methods of the invention, an incoming stream (10) of waste material including fat, protein, starch and moisture is blended to increase the homogeneity thereof whereupon the material is analyzed using one or more analyzers (16), especially microwave and near infrared analyzers. Such analysis creates a product signature for the material which is stored in a control microprocessor (28). The analyzed stream (10) can be modified as necessary by recirculation and/or addition of extra ingredients to create a final output stream (18) suitable for extrusion along with a primary stream (48) of extrudable material.