Rotary processors and vacuum systems

摘要

Novel rotary processors which involve a devolatilizing stage including a rotatable element carrying a plurality of annular channels and a stationary element providing a coaxial closure surface operationally arranged with the channels to provide enclosed processing passages. Each passage of the devolatilizing stage includes inlet means, outlet means and a channel blocking member all associated with the stationary element and arranged and adapted so that material fed to the inlet can be carried forward by the rotatable channel walls to the blocking member for discharge from the passage. The passages are interconnected by material transfer grooves formed in the closure surface. The rotary processors of this invention include a novel vacuum system to evacuate the devolatilizing stage. A large manifold completely encloses a relatively large opening through the stationary element and communicates with a vacuum source through a relatively large vacuum port to simultaneously evacuate the passages of the devolatilizing stage at low vapor velocities. The novel vacuum system also includes means to effectively prevent material buildup at least in the region of the opening through the stationary element and the manifold.