- One major problem of a continuous process like plastic extrusion is their incapability to deal with non-local gas pressure. This is an inherent problem because a continuous process has an open end in the feeding port where pressure can escape. In this study a novel feeding system was developed to enable granulate feeding into gas pressurized processes inside a single- or twin-screw extruder. With this apparatus gas pressure can be applied inside the extrusion process. The apparatus separates the pressurized extruder from the dosing equipment that feeds the extruder. It keeps the pressure inside the system while continuously feeding new material into the process. A small-scale prototype was designed for proof-of concept. The small size of the prototype was able to handle small amounts of granulates of around 100 - 200 g/h. An applied gas pressure of 8 bar was achieved. In future optimizations, throughput can be increased and maximum applied gas pressure towards 15-20 bar.
