Insert for barrel extruders

A segmented barrel extruder device for extrusion along a longitudinal axis, said device having a plurality of segments enclosing an extruder barrel aligned on said longitudinal axis, said segments comprising:

• a pair of axially perpendicular rectangular end flanges for each segment, each said pair of end flanges having exposed sides and a central portion for housing said extruder barrel, each said pair of end flanges having a plurality of aligned straight line paths for fluid flow into and out of said flanges in a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein said straight line paths each intersect two of said exposed sides without intersecting said central portion, and port means for providing access for fluid flow to each straight line path from at least one of said sides of said flange;
• an extruder barrel between each of said pair of flanges for enclosing an extruder means, including an outer housing having a plurality of straight axial channels and connected to said straight line paths in said end flanges to conduct fluid from a plurality of points along one path in each of said straight line paths in one of said pair of end flanges to a plurality of points along a corresponding straight line path in the other of said pair, said barrel further including an axially centered portion aligned with said central portion of said flanges;
• an extruder barrel insert sized to fit in said axially centered portion of said barrel and having means for preventing rotational movement of said insert, said insert having at least one extruder bore for engagement with an extruder screw and having high resistance to wear compared to the wear resistance of said extruder barrel;
• and
• an inlet means and an outlet means for introducing fluid into and removing fluid from selective straight line paths and straight axial channels though said port means.