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AssigneeGala Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael Eloo, Roger B. Wright, Robert G. Mann
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for underwater pelletizing and subsequent drying of crystallizing polymers to crystallize the polymer pellets with out subsequent heating is shown in FIG. 5. High velocity air or other inert gas is injected into the water and pellet slurry line (120) toward the dryer near the pelletizer exit (102) at a flow rate from about 100 to about 175 m3/hour, or more. Such high-speed air movement forms a vapor mist with the water and significantly increases th speed of the pellets into and out of the dryer such that the polymer pellets leave the dryer with sufficient latent heat to cause self-crystallization within the pellets. A valve mechanism in the slurry line (150) after the gas injection further regulates the pellet residence time and a vibrating conveyor after the dryer helps the pellets to achieve the desired level of crystallinity and to avoid agglomeration.
A method for processing crystallizing polymers into pellets using an apparatus including an underwater pelletizer and a dryer, said method comprising:
An apparatus for processing crystallizing polymers into pellets which comprises an underwater pelletizer to cut strands of a crystallizing polymer extruded into said pelletizer into pellets, piping to introduce water into said pelletizer, a slurry line to transport a water and pellet slurry out of said pelletizer and to a dryer for drying said pellets, an injector to introduce a pellet speed expediter into said water and pellet slurry to enhance the speed of said pellets through said processing apparatus with said pellets exiting said dryer with sufficient internal heat to initiate crystallization of said pellets, and an agitating unit receiving the pellets exiting from the dryer, said agitating unit configured to agitate the pellets, agitation of said pellets allowing heat to be transferred between the pellets as the pellets contact one another, promoting better uniformity of temperature and crystallization in the pellets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.