The application of genetic algorithm for the design of screw in twin-screw extruder

Abstract

Purpose

With the twin screw extruder being widely used, there are a lot of parameters considered in the method, and the extruder’s volume is an important parameter of twin screw extruders among them. In this paper, some of the extruder parameters such as the impacting extruder volume are introduced, and the mathematical relationship in these parameters is interpreted. The minimum power consumption is the goal of the authors’ structural design.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper further applies genetic algorithm, a kind of intelligent optimization methods, to obtain the most optimized design dimension, and power consumption function related to unit output of extruder is used as the optimizing target. Meanwhile, this paper takes channel depth of feeding section, channel depth of extrusion section affecting the energy consumption, the width of flight top and helix angle as design variables.

Findings

By using genetic algorithm, the optimal structure size is obtained, and the power consumption is minimum.

Originality/value

With the use of optimizing the structure, the power of consumption is reduced. This method has important economic significance and important social significance on energy saving.

Citation

Ren, J., Zhao, J. and Liu, X. (2017), "The application of genetic algorithm for the design of screw in twin-screw extruder", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 14 No. 5, pp. 451-458. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-05-2017-0115