Extruder Power Calculator, Formula, Extruder Power Calculation

Extruder Power Calculator:

Enter the values of mass flow rate, mdot_(lbs/hr), specific heat capacity, c_(BTU/hr-F) and desired temperature increase, T_(F) to determine the value of Extruder power, EP_(W).

Extruder Power Formula:

Extruder power (EP) signifies the electrical power required to operate an extruder and convert plastic material into a molten state for shaping in 3D printing or manufacturing.

Mass flow rate represents the amount of material processed per unit time (in kilograms per second, kg/s or pounds per hour, lbs/hr). Higher flow rates require more power to melt the increased plastic volume.

Specific heat capacity property reflects the energy (Joules or BTU) needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram (or pound) of the material by one Kelvin (or degree Fahrenheit). Materials with higher specific heat capacities demand more energy to melt, translating to higher power consumption.

Desired temperature increase is the difference in temperature between the initial state of the material and the desired molten state (in Kelvin or degrees Fahrenheit). A larger temperature increase signifies more energy needed for melting, demanding more power.

Extruder power, EP_(W) in watts is calculated by multiplying a constant (0.00053), the mass flow rate, mdot_(lbs/hr) of the material being extruded in pounds per hour, the specific heat capacity, c_(BTU/hr-F) of the material in British thermal units per hour per degree Fahrenheit and the desired temperature increase, T_(F) in Fahrenheit.

Extruder power, EP_(W) = 0.00053 * mdot_(lbs/hr) * c_(BTU/hr-F) * T_(F)

EP_(W) = extruder power in watts, W.

mdot_(lbs/hr) = mass flow rate in pounds per hour, lbs/hr.

c_(BTU/hr-F) = specific heat capacity in British thermal units per hour per degree Fahrenheit, BTU/hr-F.

T_(F) = desired temperature increase in Fahrenheit, F.

Extruder Power Calculation:

1. An extruder processes ABS plastic (c = 0.4 BTU/hr-F) at a mass flow rate of 10 lbs/hr. The desired temperature increase is 400F. What is the power consumption of the extruder?

Given: c_(BTU/hr-F) = 0.4 BTU/hr-F, mdot_(lbs/hr) = 10 lbs/hr, T_(F) = 400F.

Extruder power, EP_(W) = 0.00053 * mdot_(lbs/hr) * c_(BTU/hr-F) * T_(F)

EP_(W) = 0.00053 * 10 * 0.4 * 400

EP_(W) = 0.848W.

2. An extruder has a power consumption of 5 kW (EP = 5,000 W) and processes polystyrene (c = 0.3 BTU/hr-F) with a desired temperature increase of 350F. What is the mass flow rate of the material entering the extruder?

Given: c_(BTU/hr-F) = 0.3 BTU/hr-F, EP_(W) = 5000W, T_(F) = 350F.

Extruder power, EP_(W) = 0.00053 * mdot_(lbs/hr) * c_(BTU/hr-F) * T_(F)

mdot_(lbs/hr) = EP_(W) / 0.00053 * c_(BTU/hr-F) * T_(F)

mdot_(lbs/hr) = 5000 / 0.00053 * 0.3 * 350

mdot_(lbs/hr) = 33.7lbs/hr.

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