Patent ID: 6223449
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: F26B

Abstract:
An apparatus for removing plasticizer from a polymer material, the apparatus comprising:an evacuation chamber;conduit means in fluid communication with said evacuation chamber for conveying gases into said evacuation chamber and extracting gases from said evacuation chamber, said conduit means includes at least one outlet configured to direct an airstream emanating from said outlet towards the polymer material;a cooling chamber in fluid communication with said conduit means;gas heating means for heating gases within said conduit means between said cooling chamber and said evacuation chamber;gas flow means creating a flow through said conduit means; andand radiant heating means for heating the polymer material mounted within said evacuation chamber,whereby an airstream heated by the gas heating means is conveyed into the evacuation chamber and directed by the outlet towards the polymer material whereby it entrains plasticizer evaporating from the polymer material, the plasticizer enriched airstream is then passed through the cooling chamber wherein the plasticizer condenses and is thereby removed from the airstream.