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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/M87085/01
Title: NOVEL EXTRUSION DIES WITH ROTATING ROLLERS & NEW APPLICATIONS
Principal Investigator: Benkreira, Professor H
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
RAPRA Technology Ltd
Department: Chemical Engineering
Organisation: University of Bradford
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 15 May 2000 Ends: 14 September 2003 Value (£): 298,723
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Processing Rheology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing R&D
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The generic aim is a study of flow in new plastic extrusion die designs using rotating rollers. The principle of operation of the die is simple and has the potential of making plastic foam extrusion more economical, safe and acceptable environmentally. Two rotating rollers are sandwiched between the extruder and a short die. When they rotate backward, high pressures are generated and in theory, this should enable injection of liquid CO2 at high pressures to produce foams of LDPE, PS and PP of low densities. Studying this system forms one aim of this research. This same die can be used as a new rheometer for polymer foams. Investigating this aspect is our second aim. There are also other applications which can offer more flexibility in extrusion. When the rollers rotate forward, they drag the extrudate at low pressures and the output rate increases. When two pairs of rollers are used, one pair rotating backward followed by rotating forward, pressure is increased in the first section and pressure drop is accelerated in the second section. Studying these extrusion flow system forms our third aim. The experimental work will be carried out using prototype dies which we will design and build and a liquid injection system we developed.
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Organisation Website: http://www.brad.ac.uk