Residence time distributions in a liquefier of material extrusion process

Abstract

In this short communication, the residence time distribution of molten polymer in a liquefier of a material extrusion process is numerically investigated. The Laplace transform is used to easily fit the residence time distribution. As a result, the liquefier can be decomposed into a plug flow and a continuous stirred tank reactor in series. The local mean residence time is also studied numerically to provide information about the flow structure.