METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PELLETIZING BIOMATERIAL COMPOSITES

摘要

A process for preparing low moisture content polymer biomaterial composites and expandable polymer biomaterial composites by extrusion through a die plate into a waterbox and pelletizing with cutter blades. Polyolefins or condensation polymers are melt blended with a solid or semi-solid biomaterial component, such as polysaccharides, including cellulosics and starches, or proteinaceious materials, including polypeptides, and are extruded, pelletized underwater, and processed with accelerated drying to achieve moisture levels as low as one percent or less.

主权项

1. A method for processing polymer biomaterial composites into pellets using a pelletizing apparatus including an underwater pelletizer, piping to introduce water into said pelletizer, a slurry line to transport a water and pellet slurry out of said pelletizer, and an injector for introducing a high velocity gas into said slurry line, said method including the steps of extruding strands of a polymer biomaterial composite through a die plate into said underwater pelletizer, cutting the composite strands into polymer biomaterial composite pellets in said pelletizer, transporting said polymer biomaterial composite pellets from said pelletizer as a water and pellet slurry in said slurry line, and injecting a high velocity inert gas into said water and pellet slurry through said injector to cause said water to aspirate from said polymer biomaterial composite pellets and said pellets to retain internal heat, to reduce moisture uptake by said polymer biomaterial composite pellets, and to expedite transport and drying of said pellets.