Laboratory Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder QualiPTSE™ 21
The QualiPTSE™ 21 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder is a high-performance laboratory extrusion system designed for polymer compounding, formulation development, material modification, and small-batch production. Its modular configuration, precise process control, and scalable design make it well suited for research institutions, polymer R&D laboratories, universities, and quality control facilities.
This laboratory twin-screw extruder enables researchers to evaluate the effects of fillers, additives, and processing conditions on important polymer properties, including mechanical strength, thermal resistance, and flame retardancy. It also supports the development of customized polymer blends and the evaluation of new resin formulations under controlled processing conditions.
Key Applications
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Plastic compounding and polymer modification
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Filler reinforcement and additive dispersion
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Flame-retardant polymer development
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High-temperature polymer formulation
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Experimental resin formulation
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Specialty polymer development
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Small-batch polymer production
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Academic research and laboratory testing
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Pilot-scale process evaluation
With its compact structure and adjustable processing parameters, the QualiPTSE™ 21 creates a controlled laboratory environment for evaluating new polymer formulations, optimizing extrusion conditions, and preparing processes for larger-scale production.
Why Choose the QualiPTSE™ 21?
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Precise Process Control: Accurate adjustment of key processing parameters helps achieve consistent and repeatable test results.
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Flexible Laboratory Processing: Suitable for formulation trials, material development, and small-batch production.
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Adjustable Parameters: Processing conditions can be configured for different polymer materials and formulations.
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Efficient Heating System: High-performance heating provides controlled thermal conditions during extrusion.
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Safety and Control Features: Integrated operating and safety functions support dependable laboratory operation.
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Modular Configuration: Flexible system design allows the extrusion setup to accommodate different research and development requirements.
Whether you are developing new polymer materials, evaluating additives, optimizing formulations, or producing specialty polymer batches, the QualiPTSE™ 21 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder provides precise processing control, flexibility, and reliable performance for laboratory polymer research and development.
Starve-Fed Conveying & Thermo-Mechanical Plasticating
The QualiPTSE™ 21 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder uses starve-fed conveying and multi-zone temperature control to provide consistent polymer processing. A screw metering feeder introduces polymer granules into the 20 mm screw channels at controlled feed rates, helping maintain stable material transport throughout the barrel instead of continuously filling the conveying section.
C-Shaped Chamber Transport
Material transport occurs through modular C-shaped chambers created by the rotating screw elements. These chambers support partially filled conditions in starve-fed conveying zones and fully filled conditions in melt-pumping sections across the extended 40:1 L/D ratio.
Self-Wiping Feed Geometry
The feed section maintains the actual self-wiping screw-channel geometry used for solids conveying. This configuration supports accurate evaluation of heat transfer and shear conditions at the barrel interface while maintaining effective material movement through the processing zone.
Multi-Zone Thermal Control
During co-rotating twin-screw extrusion, early barrel sections may require heating, while downstream areas can require cooling as mechanical shear generates additional heat within the polymer melt. The QualiPTSE™ 21 uses a 6-zone electric heating system, Type K thermocouples, and an RKC temperature controller to provide precise thermal management.
The system maintains temperature accuracy of ±0.5°C up to 350°C, with temperatures up to 500°C available with high-temperature upgrades.
Computational Flow & Devolatilization Simulation
Understanding polymer melt behavior inside an intermeshing twin-screw extruder requires analysis of non-Newtonian flow, shear gradients, temperature variations, and material residence conditions. For the QualiPTSE™ 21, these principles support screw-element configuration across a screw speed range of 1–200 rpm, including processing zones used for kneading, mixing, and degassing.
3D Kneading Block Flow Analysis
Three-dimensional CFD modeling of kneading blocks can account for the detailed geometry of the screw flights and the complex flow patterns generated between intermeshing screw elements. This includes cross-channel leakage flow that may not be fully represented by simplified continuous-flight models.
Devolatilization Surface Area Analysis
Finite element modeling using a 2.5D Hele-Shaw approach can evaluate melt fill levels and exposed melt surface area within starved barrel sections. This analysis provides a basis for understanding volatile removal and optimizing degassing performance through the integrated vacuum exhaust system.
Together, the conveying, thermal-control, flow-analysis, and devolatilization capabilities of the QualiPTSE™ 21 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder provide a controlled platform for polymer compounding, process development, material formulation, and laboratory-scale extrusion research.
Relevant Simulation Approaches for Twin-Screw Extrusion
| Simulation Setup |
Core Features |
Process Application & Validation |
| 2.5D Hele-Shaw / FEM |
Estimates fill profiles and devolatilization surface area in starved zones |
Tested with Toluene in Polypropylene, achieving a low 6.5% margin of error. |
| 3D CFD (Impulse Transmission) |
Models screw motion via fluid velocity vectors without dynamic mesh distortion |
Calibrated on physical test rigs following ICH Q2 standards |
| 2.5D Flow Analysis Network |
Computes axial and circumferential flow velocity profiles |
Verified against high-density polyethylene experimental pressure data |
Viscous Dissipation & Pressure Characterization
Effective thermal management during polymer compounding requires careful control of mechanical energy, viscous heating, and barrel cooling. The QualiPTSE™ 21 Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder supports operating pressures of up to 0–100 MPa and combines 6.4 kW heating capacity with compressed-air cooling to regulate thermal conditions during polymer processing.
Energy Dissipation Analysis
During polymer plasticating, the total mechanical energy introduced into the material can be associated with several forms of energy dissipation, including friction between polymer pellets and surfaces, plastic deformation, and viscous shear heating. Evaluating these energy contributions within kneading sections helps researchers understand thermal behavior and reduce the risk of excessive heat exposure to temperature-sensitive additives.
Pawlowski Element Characterization
The screw elements can be evaluated using pressure coefficients (A1, A2) and torque coefficients (B1, B2) derived from experimental test-bench data. These parameters provide useful information for analyzing screw-element performance and supporting screw configuration optimization across 1,536 geometric design points.
AI-Assisted Parameter Selection
AI-based modeling can assist with the selection of key extrusion parameters by analyzing simulated twin-screw flow behavior. Depending on the application, these models can help identify suitable screw speeds, feed rates, and barrel temperatures for targeted polymer processing results, reducing the amount of trial-and-error testing required during formulation development.
Scale-Up & Residence Time Distribution (RTD)
The QualiPTSE™ 21, with an output capacity of 1–15 kg/h, can be used as a standalone laboratory extruder or integrated with torque rheometer systems to generate process data for polymer development and industrial scale-up.
Mechanistic Scale-Up Models
Mechanistic finite-volume models can incorporate non-isothermal rheology and detailed material chemistry to support formulation transfer from a 20 mm, 40:1 L/D laboratory extruder toward larger production systems, including 75 mm production extruders.
Residence Time Distribution (RTD) Modeling
Mechanistic Residence Time Distribution (RTD) models combined with backflow-cell methodology can characterize axial material dispersion and long-tail residence behavior associated with distributive mixing elements. This provides a more detailed representation of material residence characteristics than simplified continuous stirred-tank reactor assumptions.
True-Shape Feed Channels
Maintaining the actual self-wiping screw-channel geometry helps preserve the physical characteristics of the conveying section during process analysis. Accurate channel geometry supports more reliable calculations of heat transfer, material transport, and thermal behavior compared with simplified rectangular-channel representations.
The combination of pressure characterization, thermal analysis, screw-element evaluation, RTD modeling, and scale-up analysis makes the QualiPTSE™ 21 a versatile platform for laboratory polymer compounding, extrusion process development, and formulation research.
Laboratory Parallel Twin-Screw Extruder QualiPTSE™ 21 Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Screw Diameter |
20 mm |
| Screw L/D Ratio |
40:1 |
| Screw Speed Range |
1 – 200 rpm |
| Feeding Method |
Screw metering feeding |
| Heating Method |
6-zone electric heating |
| Maximum Temperature |
350°C (optional: 500°C) |
| Temperature Control System |
RKC temperature controller |
| Temperature Accuracy |
±0.5°C |
| Heating Power |
6.4 kW |
| Temperature Sensors |
Type K thermocouples |
| Output Capacity |
1 – 15 kg/h |
| Pressure Range |
0 – 100 MPa |
| Exhaust Method |
Vacuum exhaust |
| Cooling Method |
Compressed air cooling |
