Abstract:
A system for distributing a highly viscous molten material such as a molten polymer. The system includes means for heating the material to a molten state and moving it through a special mixing structure located just ahead of one or more output ports leading to a further processing system including a filament spinnerette. The mixing structure includes a conduit containing a plurality of sheet-like elements extending longitudinally within the conduit, each element being curved to turn the direction of the material flowing past it. The elements are arranged in alternating right and left-handed curvature groups (a group consisting of one or more elements). The conduit is in contact with a heat exchange medium to maintain the polymer at its proper molten temperature. A modification for distributing molten glass is also disclosed as being substantially the same as for the molten polymer.
Abstract:
A device for producing a physical or chemical change of state in a fluid flowing through a conduit which contains a plurality of curved sheet-like elements extending longitudinally through the conduit and in which consecutive elements are curved in opposite directions. The internal surfaces of the conduit and the surfaces of the sheet-like elements are coated with a material which interacts with a component of the fluid to produce such change. The surfaces may be formed of water or other solvents, catalysts, enzymes or other biologically active materials, and the fluid may contain components soluble in such solvents, or the fluid may contain materials upon which such catalysts, enzymes or biologically active materials act to produce the desired change of state.