Crystallizing conveyor
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A method of crystallizing a plurality of polymeric pellets, the method comprising:
- a) introducing the plurality of polymeric pellets into a pneumatic conveying system at an inlet, the plurality of polymeric pellets comprising a crystallizable polymer having a crystallization temperature and a melting temperature; and
b) pneumatically transferring the plurality of polymeric pellets from the inlet to an outlet with a conveying gas, the conveying gas having a temperature sufficient to maintain the plurality of polymeric pellets within a temperature range such that the plurality of polymeric pellets obtain a degree of crystallinity greater than about 30% prior to removal of the plurality of polymeric pellets from the outlet of the pneumatic conveying system.
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Abstract
A method of crystallizing a plurality of polymeric pellets includes a step of introducing the pellets into a pneumatic conveying system with an initial average temperature. The plurality of polymeric pellets are pneumatically transferred from the inlet to an outlet with a conveying gas. While residing within the conveying system, the pellets have a sufficient temperature for crystallization to occur. A pneumatic conveying system implementing the methods of the invention is also provided.
36 Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of crystallizing a plurality of polymeric pellets, the method comprising:
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a) introducing the plurality of polymeric pellets into a pneumatic conveying system at an inlet, the plurality of polymeric pellets comprising a crystallizable polymer having a crystallization temperature and a melting temperature; and b) pneumatically transferring the plurality of polymeric pellets from the inlet to an outlet with a conveying gas, the conveying gas having a temperature sufficient to maintain the plurality of polymeric pellets within a temperature range such that the plurality of polymeric pellets obtain a degree of crystallinity greater than about 30% prior to removal of the plurality of polymeric pellets from the outlet of the pneumatic conveying system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A method of crystallizing a plurality of PET pellets, the method comprising:
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a) introducing the plurality of PET pellets into a pneumatic conveying system at an inlet, the plurality of PET pellets being crystallizable and having a crystallization temperature and a melting temperature; and b) pneumatically transferring the plurality of PET pellets from the inlet to an outlet with a conveying gas, the conveying gas having a temperature sufficient to maintain the plurality of PET pellets within a temperature range such that the plurality of PET pellets obtain a degree of crystallinity greater than about 30% prior to removal of the plurality of PET pellets from the outlet of the pneumatic conveying system.
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Specification