Circuit and process for managing transients in a plant for continuous mass production of granulated expandable polymers

Abstract

Circuit and to a process for managing transients and process and product anomalies in a plant for production of granulated expandable polymers EPS or extruded polymers XPS, said circuit being placed e.g. in a granulation plant along which are positioned: a mixing device suitable for mixing additives and expanding agent within a stream of molten polymer; a granulator or an extrusion device positioned downstream of said mixing device; a deviation valve suitable for molten polymers placed along the line connecting said mixing device to said granulator or to said extrusion device upstream of said granulator or extruder, said deviation valve being provided with at least one inlet (A), a Stand-by position (A→C) and a Run position (A→B), said circuit further comprising a heating device downstream of said valve, a separation device downstream of said heating device suitable for physically separating the blowing agent from the polymer and any additives present therein, and a cooling device positioned between said separation device and said mixing device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.