Method for removing volatile components from elastomer-containing media and degassing devices therefor

A treatment and degassing device comprising at least one extruder, the extruder comprising:

• a housing and n housing bores Bn with corresponding bore diameters Dn, where n is a whole number from 2 to 16, and wherein the housing bores intersect and are parallel to one another;
• n shafts Wn, configured to rotate 360° in the same direction and each of which is arranged concentrically in one of the housing bores Bn, each of which has a rotational axis An and each of which is provided with at least one treatment element whose cross-sectional profile, in the peripheral direction, has:
• m relative maxima Rmmax n in respect of the radial extension of the cross-section profile of the treatment element to the rotating axis An of the shaft Wn, where m is a whole number from 1 to 16, wherein, in addition, at least one relative maximum Rmmax n is an absolute maximum of the radial extension Rmmax n in respect of the radial extension of the cross-sectional profile of the treatment element to the rotational axis An of the shaft Wn, wherein:
• Rmax nn<=(Dn/2),
• at least one feed zone,
• one or more degassing zones, each comprising at least one degassing vent, configured for discharging volatile components from a medium containing elastomers from the extruder,
• at least one discharge zone,
• wherein the treatment elements comprise screw elements SE, wherein:
• a clearance ASE between the profiles of the screw elements of two shafts, each of which is arranged concentrically in adjacent housing bores Bn and Bn+1,
• i) from 0.001 to 0.2 AD, wherein AD is the clearance between the rotational axes of the two adjacent shafts,
• ii) and has at least one absolute minimum AminSE and one absolute maximum AmaxSE, wherein AmaxSE is ≦1.5 AminSE.