Project Aims
The project aim in this partial project is to integrate the design process of compounding lines in chemical development processes for the design of polymer syntheses plants. More precisely the design of compounding extruders in distributed development processes is center of research.Technical processes shall be analysed and formalised at the usage of simulation tools within this partial project. Based on these models, an infrastructure shall be developed, which enables the engineer to use these tools preferably efficient in the developmentally context.
The simulation of compounding processes in twin screw extruders is nontrivial because of the complex transient flow channel geometry. For this reason most of the simulation software for this type of machine is based on models with substantial simplifications. To quantify flow effects likewise the mixing effect, specific knowledge about the flow field is essential, especially for the flow in the intermeshing zone of the screws. Recently a new 3D-simulation method is available, which is based on the Boundary Element Method (BEM), to simulate such flow fields efficiently.
Main Achievements
For the first time the processes for the compounding line design have been analysed and formalised with informatical methods. Therefore with the Unified Modelling Language (UML) Use-Cases have been created to seperate the different design steps, which can be supported by usage of computers.
Thereby creative, raw granulare design steps, as well as design steps on a fine-grained level got mapped in data models. With the help of these models the design and the 1D-simulation of a screw configuration got integrated and aided in the flow sheet editor, which was developed in subproject B1. Thus the plastics engineer profits by the support of process fragments in the technical development context.
Demands for a comprehensive multimedial communication system, which can be used for a co-operative development, were formulated. This tool has been realised in subproject B3.
Future Objectives
Due to the fact that the 3D-simulation of the flow in compounding extruders is possible efficiently with the BEM-Method, new methods for interpreting the simulation results and the flow effects are necessary. One characteristic of the BEM is the easy particle tracking and the visualisation of the streamline. Thus flow effects like mixing can be found and optimised easily. One major purpose in this subproject is the integration of the 1D- and 3D-simulation tools. With such a system the plastics engineer can determine the fully filled sections of the screw by use of the 1D-simulation tool and, by using the 3D-tool, maximise the mixing effects in this sections.Chemical and plastics engineers of several departments or even companies should be supported to develop chemical plants with the help of a distributed 3D-simulation and the interpretation of their results.
Leader
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Edmund Haberstroh, Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)
Member
Dipl.-Ing. Marcus Schlüter, Institute for Plastics Processing (IKV)
Publications
- M. Schlüter, E. Haberstroh:
Neue Technologien bei der Entwicklung von Simulationssoftware
20. Kunststofftechnisches Kolloquium, IKV Aachen, 2000
