Non-Newtonian flow modelling in the screw regions of an intermeshing corotating twin screw extruder (Q1117770)

We model the flow of a non-Newtonian fluid obeying a power-law model through the screw elements of a self wiping intermeshing corotating twin screw extruder. The flow is modelled for a power-law viscosity function using both a finite element method and a lubrication theory modified FAN procedure. The finite element method yields machine direction and transverse velocity fields. The screw pumping correlations developed from the two methods agree within ten percent.