COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS SIMULATION OF SINGLE SCREW EXTRUDERS IN CABLE INDUSTRIES

Abstract

The flow of polymer pellets along the solid conveying screw of a single screw extruder is studied by use of a numerical model based on the Finite Volume Method (FVM). The screw profile of existing Nokia-Malifer plastic extrusion devices (for cable industries) was mesured.Model predictions used is the Power law for Non-Newtonian Fluid, the results are compared with experimental data, showing a good match. The feasiability of using CFD models for designing plastic extrusion devices is analyzed. Basic parameters such as temperature, velocity profiles and pressure show high degree of similarity to practical results.