PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ENERGY STORAGE MATERIAL

Abstract

In a processing system for processing an energy storage material, a pressure buildup device is disposed downstream of a mixing device. The mixing device serves for the processing of the energy storage material. By means of the pressure buildup device, a pressure of the energy storage material is increased for a subsequent shaping. Because the mixing device and the pressure buildup device are separate from one another, a good mixing effect and a good pressure buildup effect are achieved. The energy storage material can thus be processed in a high quality in a simple and reliable manner. The energy storage material serves in particular for the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells and/or for the production of galvanic energy storage devices.

Claims

1. A processing system for processing an energy storage material comprising a mixing device for processing the energy storage material, wherein a pressure buildup device is disposed downstream of the mixing device in order to increase a pressure of the energy storage material.

2. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises a processing screw machine.

3. The processing system according to claim 2, wherein the processing screw machine comprises at least one treatment element shaft having a length L.sub.A and an external diameter D.sub.A, where: 20?L.sub.A/D.sub.A?60.

4. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure buildup device comprises a pressure buildup screw machine.

5. The processing system according to claim 4, wherein the pressure buildup screw machine comprises at least one pressure buildup treatment element shaft having a length L.sub.D and an external diameter D.sub.D, where: 3?L.sub.D/D.sub.D?40.

6. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure buildup device comprises a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine.

7. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure buildup device comprises a multi-shaft pressure buildup screw machine.

8. The processing system according to claim 4, wherein the pressure buildup screw machine comprises an intake zone and a pressure buildup zone.

9. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises a processing screw machine having at least one treatment element shaft and the pressure buildup device comprises a pressure buildup screw machine having at least one pressure buildup treatment element shaft, wherein for a ratio of an external diameter D.sub.A of the at least one treatment element shaft to an external diameter D.sub.D of the at least one pressure buildup treatment element shaft: ? ?D.sub.A/D.sub.D?3.

10. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device has at least one discharge opening which is disposed above a feed opening of the pressure buildup device.

11. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein a connecting device is disposed between the mixing device and the pressure buildup device in order to feed the energy storage material to the pressure buildup device.

12. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device and the pressure buildup device are connected to one another in order to feed the energy storage material to the pressure buildup device.

13. The processing system according to claim 1, wherein an extrusion tool is disposed downstream of the pressure buildup device.

14. A method for processing an energy storage material comprising the steps of: providing a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to claim 1, processing the energy storage material by means of the mixing device, discharging the energy storage material from the mixing device and feeding the energy storage material to the pressure buildup device, increasing a pressure of the energy storage material by means of the pressure buildup device, and discharging the energy storage material from the pressure buildup device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a partially cut side view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a first exemplary embodiment comprising a mixing device which comprises a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine, a pressure buildup device which comprises a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine and a connecting device which comprises a closed shaft,

[0077] FIG. 2 shows a partially cut plan view of the processing system in FIG. 1,

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a partially cut plan view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a second exemplary embodiment, wherein a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine is disposed at an angle of 90? to a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine,

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a partially cut plan view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a third exemplary embodiment, wherein the mixing device comprises a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine and the pressure buildup device comprises a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine,

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a partially cut plan view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a fourth exemplary embodiment, wherein a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine is disposed at an angle of 90? to a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine,

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a partially cut plan view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a fifth exemplary embodiment, wherein a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine is directly connected to a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine,

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a partially cut plan view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a sixth exemplary embodiment, wherein a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine is directly connected to a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine,

[0083] FIG. 8 shows a partially cut side view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to a seventh exemplary embodiment, wherein a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine is directly connected to a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine and pressure buildup treatment element shafts are vertically disposed on top of one another, and

[0084] FIG. 9 shows a partially cut side view of a processing system for processing an energy storage material according to an eighth exemplary embodiment, wherein a connecting device between a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine and a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine comprises a pipe.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0085] A first exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The processing system 1 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 serves for the continuous processing of an energy storage material M. The energy storage material M is a mixture of at least two starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2. The energy storage material M serves for the production of bipolar plates for fuel cells and/or for the production of galvanic energy storage devices, such as accumulators and batteries. The energy storage material M is electrically conductive. Produced in particular from the energy storage material M are shaped articles F which are further processed as semi-finished products. The shaped articles F are, for example, in the form of plates and/or films.

[0086] The processing system 1 comprises a mixing device 2, a connecting device 3, a pressure buildup device 4, an extrusion tool 5, a reworking device 6 and a transport device 7.

[0087] The mixing device 2 comprises a processing screw machine 8 which is designed as a co-rotating multi-shaft processing screw machine or co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine. The processing screw machine 8 comprises a housing 9 in which there are formed two housing bores 10, 11 which are parallel to one another and penetrate one another. The housing bores 10, 11 have the shape of a horizontal eight in cross-section. Disposed in the housing bores 10, 11 are two treatment element shafts 12, 13 which are rotationally drivable around associated axes of rotation 14, 15 in the same directions of rotation. Rotational driving is achieved by the mixing device 2 comprising a drive motor 16 and a distribution transmission 17, between which there is disposed a coupling 18. The treatment element shafts 12, 13 are rotationally driven around the axes of rotation 14, 15 in the same directions of rotation by means of the drive motor 16 via the distribution transmission 17.

[0088] The processing screw machine 8 comprises a discharge plate 31 which closes the housing 9. The discharge plate 31 has multiple discharge openings 32. The discharge plate 31 is thus in the form of a perforated plate.

[0089] The processing screw machine 8 has a first conveying direction 19. In the first conveying direction 19, the processing screw machine 8 forms in succession an intake zone 20, a melting zone 21 or a melting and mixing zone, a mixing and homogenization zone 22 and a discharge zone 23. In the intake zone 20, the housing 9 has a feed opening 24. Leading to the feed opening 24 is a feed hopper 25. The processing screw machine 8 can have further feed openings along the housing 9. Feeding can be effected directly into the housing 9, in particular by means of a feed hopper, and/or by means of a feed screw machine, for example a side loading machine. Metered feeding of the starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 is achieved by the mixing device comprising two metering units D.sub.1 and D.sub.2. In the intake zone 20, the fed-in starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are conveyed in the first conveying direction 19 to the melting zone 21 or the melting and mixing zone. For this purpose, the treatment element shafts 12, 13 in the feed zone 20 have screw elements or conveyor elements 26, 26.

[0090] In the melting zone 21 or the melting and mixing zone, the meltable starting materials A.sub.1, A.sub.2 are melted or plasticized and homogenously mixed. For this purpose, the treatment element shafts 12, 13 in the melting zone 21 or the melting and mixing zone have kneading elements 27, 27 and screw elements or conveyor elements 28, 28. The kneading elements 27, 27 comprise in particular kneading blocks having integrally interconnected kneading discs and/or individual kneading discs.

[0091] In the mixing and homogenization zone 22, the melted meltable starting materials A.sub.1, A.sub.2, for example solids and solvents, are mixed and homogenized to yield a homogeneous mixture. The homogeneous mixture is the energy storage material M. The energy storage material M is flowable. In the mixing and homogenization zone 22, the treatment element shafts 12, 13 have kneading elements 27, 27 and mixing elements 29, 29 and screw elements or conveyor elements 28, 28. The kneading elements 27, 27 and/or the mixing elements 29, 29 comprise in particular kneading blocks having multiple integrally interconnected kneading discs and/or individual kneading discs.

[0092] In the discharge zone 23, the energy storage material M is conveyed to the discharge plate 31. In the discharge zone 23, the treatment element shafts 12, 13 have screw elements or conveyor elements 28, 28 and 30, 30.

[0093] The treatment element shafts 12, 13 have a length L.sub.A in the first conveying direction 19. Furthermore, the treatment element shafts 12, 13 have an external diameter D.sub.A. For a ratio of the length L.sub.A to the external diameter D.sub.A: 20?L.sub.A/D.sub.A?60, in particular 25?L.sub.A/D.sub.A?56, and in particular 30?L.sub.A/D.sub.A?52.

[0094] The pressure buildup device 4 serves for increasing of a pressure p of the energy storage material M. The pressure buildup device 4 is disposed downstream of the mixing device 2 in the first conveying direction 19.

[0095] The pressure buildup device 4 comprises a pressure buildup screw machine 33 which is designed as a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine. The pressure buildup screw machine 33 comprises a housing 34 in which a housing bore 35 is formed. Disposed rotationally drivably in the housing bore 35 is a pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37. The pressure buildup device 4 comprises a drive motor 39 and a transmission 40. Disposed between the drive motor 39 and the transmission 40 is a coupling 41. The pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37 is rotationally drivable around an axis of rotation 42 by means of the drive motor 39 via the transmission 40 and the coupling 41. The housing 34 is closed by the extrusion tool 5.

[0096] The pressure buildup screw machine 33 has a second conveying direction 44. The second conveying direction 44 runs parallel to the first conveying direction 19. The processing screw machine 8 and the pressure buildup screw machine 33 are thus arranged or oriented at an angle of 0? to one another.

[0097] The pressure buildup screw machine 33 forms an intake zone 45 and a pressure buildup zone 46 in the second conveying direction 44.

[0098] In the intake zone 45, a feed opening 47 is formed in the housing 34. Leading to the feed opening 47 is a feed hopper 48. In the intake zone 45, the pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37 comprises at least one screw element 49. The energy storage material M has a first pressure p.sub.0 when entering the intake zone 45. In the intake zone 45, the energy storage material M is conveyed to the pressure buildup zone 46.

[0099] In pressure buildup zone 46, the pressure p.sub.0 of the energy storage material M is increased. At the extrusion tool 5, the energy storage material M has a pressure p.sub.1. For a pressure increase ?p: ?p=p.sub.1?p.sub.0. In the pressure buildup zone 46, the pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37 has at least one screw element 50. The pressure buildup screw machine 33 thus has exclusively the intake zone 45 and the pressure buildup zone 46. Furthermore, the pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37 has exclusively screw elements 49, 50, and so it is designed as a pressure buildup screw element shaft.

[0100] The pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37 has a length L.sub.D in the second conveying direction 44. Furthermore, the pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37 has an external diameter D.sub.D. For a ratio of the length L.sub.D to the external diameter D.sub.D, in particular: 3?L.sub.D/D.sub.D?40, in particular 4?L.sub.D/D.sub.D?20, and in particular 5?L.sub.D/D.sub.D?10.

[0101] For a ratio of the external diameter D.sub.A to the external diameter D.sub.D, in particular: ? ?D.sub.A/D.sub.D?3, in particular ??D.sub.A/D.sub.D?2, and in particular ??D.sub.A/D.sub.D?1.

[0102] For the pressure increase ?p, in particular: 1 bar??p?2000 bar, in particular 5 bar??p?1000 bar, and in particular 10 bar??p?500 bar.

[0103] For the pressure p.sub.0 in FIG. 1, in particular: p.sub.0?p.sub.atm, where p.sub.atm, denotes the atmospheric pressure, which is approx. 1 bar.

[0104] For the pressure p.sub.1 in FIG. 1, in particular: 1 bar?p.sub.1?2000 bar.

[0105] The discharge openings 32 of the processing screw machine 8 are disposed above the feed opening 47 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33 in relation to the direction G of gravity. As a result, the energy storage material M falls into the feed hopper 48 owing to gravity after exiting from discharge openings 32.

[0106] The connecting device 3 comprises a connecting element 51 which is in the form of a closed shaft. The connecting element 51 is connected to the housing 9 and the feed hopper 48. The connecting device 3 can comprise a temperature-control unit and/or degassing unit, not shown in greater detail, which can be disposed in and/or on the connecting element 51. Integrated into the connecting device 3 is a shredding unit 52. The shredding unit 52 comprises a blade 53 which is rotationally drivable around an axis of rotation 55 by means of a drive 54. The shredding unit 52 serves for the shredding of the strands of energy storage material M passing out of the discharge openings 32.

[0107] The extrusion tool 5 is disposed downstream of the pressure buildup device 4 or downstream of the pressure buildup screw machine 33 in the second conveying direction 44. The extrusion tool 5 has a slot-shaped discharge opening 56 or a die opening. The discharge opening 56 has a discharge width b and a discharge thickness d. By means of the extrusion tool 5, the shaped article F is shaped or produced from the flowable energy storage material M. The shaped article F is in the form of a plate or film.

[0108] The reworking device 6 is disposed downstream of the extrusion tool 5 in the second conveying direction 44. The reworking device 6 serves for the reworking of the shaped article F. The reworking device 6 comprises a calender 57 having at least two calender rollers 58. The calender 57 can have a single stage or multiple stages. Furthermore, the reworking device 6 comprises an embossing unit 59 which is disposed downstream of the calender 57 in the second conveying direction 44. The embossing unit 59 comprises at least two embossing rollers 60. The transport device 7 is disposed downstream of the reworking device 6 in the conveying direction 44. The transport device 7 is designed, for example, as a conveyor belt.

[0109] The operation of the processing system 1 is as follows:

[0110] The starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are fed to the feed hopper 25 by means of metering units D.sub.1 and D.sub.2. Through the feed hopper 25, the starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 reach the intake zone 20 of the processing screw machine 8 via the feed opening 24. In the processing screw machine 8, the starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are conveyed to the melting zone 21 or the melting and mixing zone, where the meltable components are melted and mixed. In the mixing and homogenization zone 22, the starting materials A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are processed into a homogeneous mixture. The homogeneous mixture forms the flowable energy storage material M. The energy storage material M is discharged in strands in the discharge zone 23 through the discharge openings 32 of the discharge plate 31. This only requires a low pressure in the discharge zone 23. The shredding unit 52 shreds the strands in a desired manner, and so the energy storage material M falls into the feed hopper 48 owing to gravity.

[0111] The energy storage material M is fed into the intake zone 45 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33 through the feed hopper 48 via the feed opening 47. The pressure buildup screw machine 33 conveys the energy storage material M from the intake zone 45 to the pressure buildup zone 46. What occurs in the pressure buildup screw machine 33, in particular in the pressure buildup zone 46, is pressure increase ?p. At the end of the pressure buildup zone 46, the energy storage material M is extruded at a high pressure p.sub.1 through the extrusion tool 5. Owing to the slot-shaped discharge opening 56, the shaped article F is formed in a desired manner and it is reworked by means of the reworking device 6 in a desired manner and then transported away via the transport device 7.

[0112] The processing screw machine 8 is operated at a speed n.sub.A, where: 1 rpm?n.sub.A?2000 rpm, in particular 50 rpm?n.sub.A?1600 rpm, and in particular 100 rpm?n.sub.A?1200 rpm.

[0113] The pressure buildup screw machine 33 is operated at a speed n.sub.D, where: 1 rpm?n.sub.D?500 rpm, in particular 2 rpm?n.sub.D?300 rpm, and in particular 3 rpm?n.sub.D?150 rpm.

[0114] For a ratio of the speed n.sub.A to the speed n.sub.D, in particular: 3?n.sub.A/n.sub.D?500, in particular 5?n.sub.A/n.sub.D?150, and in particular 10?n.sub.A/n.sub.D?90.

[0115] Because the mixing device 2 and the pressure buildup device 4 are separate from one another, the processing or mixing of the energy storage material M and the pressure buildup in the energy storage material M are decoupled from one another. The mixing device 2 can therefore be optimized in terms of its mixing effect, whereas the pressure buildup device 4 can be optimized in terms of its pressure buildup effect. This provides in a simple and reliable manner a continuous single-stage processing method which ensures a high quality of an energy storage material M or of a shaped article F produced therefrom.

[0116] A second exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 3. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the pressure buildup device 4 is disposed at an angle of 90? relative to the mixing device 2. As a result, the second conveying direction 44 runs perpendicular to the first conveying direction 19. As a result, the processing system 1 has a shorter overall length and thus a more compact design. Because the feeding of the energy storage material M in the connecting device 3 occurs substantially without pressure and the pressure buildup in the energy storage material M occurs by means of the pressure buildup device 4, the L-shaped arrangement of the pressure buildup device 4 in relation to the mixing device 2 does not adversely affect pressure buildup. With respect to further details about the structure and operation of the processing system 1, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiment.

[0117] A third exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 4. In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is designed as a counter-rotating multi-shaft pressure buildup screw machine. In particular, the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is designed as a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine.

[0118] In the housing 34 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33, two housing bores 35, 36 which penetrate one another are formed. The housing bores 35, 36 have the shape of a horizontal eight in cross-section. The housing bores 35, 36 are disposed next to one another in a horizontal direction. Disposed rotatably in the housing bores 35, 36 are pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38. In particular, the pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38 have exclusively screw elements 49, 49 and 50, 50, and so they are designed as pressure buildup screw element shafts. The pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38 are rotationally driven around axes of rotation 42, 43 in opposite directions of rotation by means of the drive motor 39 via the transmission 40 designed as a distribution transmission. The counter-rotating pressure buildup screw machine 33 has a chamber conveyance which is self-contained, and so a backflow or leakage flow of the energy storage material M in the housing bores 35, 36 is minimal. As a result, a good pressure buildup is possible in the pressure buildup zone 46 without mechanical energy being undesirably input into the energy storage material M.

[0119] The processing screw machine 8 is operated at a speed n.sub.A, where: 1 rpm?n.sub.A?2000 rpm, in particular 50 rpm?n.sub.A?1600 rpm, and in particular 100 rpm?n.sub.A?1200 rpm.

[0120] The pressure buildup screw machine 33 is operated at a speed n.sub.D, where: 1 rpm?n.sub.D?300 rpm, in particular 2 rpm?n.sub.D?200 rpm, and in particular 3 rpm?n.sub.D?150 rpm.

[0121] For a ratio of the speed n.sub.A to the speed n.sub.D, in particular: 4?n.sub.A/n.sub.D?200, in particular 15?n.sub.A/n.sub.D?120, and in particular 30?n.sub.A/n.sub.D?90.

[0122] With respect to further details about structure and operation, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0123] A fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 5. In line with the third exemplary embodiment, the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is designed as a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine. In contrast to the third exemplary embodiment and in line with the second exemplary embodiment, the pressure buildup device 4 is disposed at an angle of 90? relative to the mixing device 2. With respect to further details about structure and operation, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0124] A fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 6. In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the mixing device 2 is directly connected to the pressure buildup device 4, and so there is no need for a connecting device. A discharge plate is not present. The feed opening 47 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is formed in the side of the housing 34. The housing 9 of the processing screw machine 8 is connected to the housing 34 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33. To this end, the pressure buildup device 4 or the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is disposed at an angle of 90? to the mixing device 2 or the processing screw machine 8.

[0125] In line with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the processing screw machine 8 is designed as a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine. In line with the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment, the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is designed as a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine. The treatment element shafts 12, 13 have a distance s to the pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37. For s, in particular: 0.05 mm?s?10 D.sub.A, in particular 0.1 mm?s?10.Math.D.sub.A, in particular 0.1 mm?s?5.Math.D.sub.A, and in particular 0.5 mm?s?D.sub.A. With respect to further details about structure and operation, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0126] A sixth exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 7. In line with the preceding exemplary embodiment, the mixing device 2 is directly connected to the pressure buildup device 4, and so there is no need for a connecting device. The housing 9 of the processing screw machine 8 is connected to the side of the housing 34 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33. To this end, the pressure buildup device 4 or the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is disposed at an angle of 90? relative to the mixing device 2 or the processing screw machine 8.

[0127] In line with the preceding exemplary embodiments, the processing screw machine 8 is designed as a co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine. In line with the third exemplary embodiment and the fourth exemplary embodiment, the pressure buildup screw machine 33 is designed as a counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine. The pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38 are disposed next to one another in a horizontal direction. The treatment element shafts 12, 13 have a distance s from the adjacent pressure buildup treatment element shaft 37. For the distance s, in particular: 0.05 mm?s?10.Math.D.sub.A, in particular 0.1 mm?s?10.Math.D.sub.A, in particular 0.1 mm?s?5 D.sub.A, and in particular 0.5 mm?s?D.sub.A. With respect to further details about structure and operation, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0128] A seventh exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 8. In contrast to the sixth exemplary embodiment, the pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38 of the counter-rotating two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine 33 are disposed one above the other in a vertical direction. The treatment element shafts 12, 13 of the co-rotating two-shaft processing screw machine 8 have a distance s from the pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38. The feed opening 47 is formed in an interstitial region Z of the pressure buildup treatment element shafts 37, 38. With respect to further details about structure and operation, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0129] An eighth exemplary embodiment of the invention is described in the following with reference to FIG. 9. In contrast to the preceding exemplary embodiments, the connecting element 51 of the connecting device 3 is in the form of a pipe. The housing 9 of the processing screw machine 8 is not closed, and so the housing bores 10, 11 in the discharge zone 23 are directly connected to a channel 61 which is formed by the pipe. The housing 9 is disposed above the housing 34, and so the connecting element 51 is connected to an upper face of the housing 34 and leads to the feed opening 47. The energy storage material M is pushed from the processing screw machine 8 to the pressure buildup screw machine 33 through the pipe.

[0130] The channel 61 has a length L.sub.V based on its central longitudinal axis. For the length L.sub.V: 1?L.sub.V/D.sub.A?100, in particular 2?L.sub.V/D.sub.A?50, and in particular 4?L.sub.V/D.sub.A?10. Furthermore, the channel 61 has a radius of curvature R.sub.V based on its central longitudinal axis. For the radius of curvature R.sub.V, in particular: 0.5?R.sub.V/D.sub.A?10, in particular 1?R.sub.V/D.sub.A?7, and in particular 2?R.sub.V/D.sub.A?4. Moreover, the channel 61 forms an angle of curvature ? between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. For the angle of curvature ?, in particular: 1????90?, in particular 5????70?, and in particular 10????50?. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, the angle of curvature ?=90?. The channel 61 or the pipe has an internal diameter D.sub.V, where in particular: 0.5?D.sub.V/D.sub.A?10, in particular 0.8?D.sub.V/D.sub.A?5, and in particular 1?D.sub.V/D.sub.A?2.

[0131] With respect to further details about structure and operation, reference is made to the preceding exemplary embodiments.

[0132] In further exemplary embodiments, the connecting element 51 in the form of a pipe can be straight and leads to the side of the pressure buildup screw machine 33. In further exemplary embodiments, multiple connecting elements in the form of a pipe can be provided and they divide the energy storage material M into multiple partial streams which lead to the pressure buildup screw machine 33. The connecting elements 51 can be connected to an upper face and/or the side of the housing 34 of the pressure buildup screw machine 33. The mixing device 2 and the pressure buildup device 4 can be disposed in a straight line to one another or at an angle to one another, in particular at an angle of 90? to one another.

[0133] In general:

[0134] The mixing device 2 can comprise a single-shaft processing screw machine, a co-rotating multi-shaft processing screw machine and/or a counter-rotating multi-shaft processing screw machine. In particular, a multi-shaft processing screw machine is designed as a two-shaft processing screw machine.

[0135] The pressure buildup device 4 can comprise a single-shaft pressure buildup screw machine, a counter-rotating multi-shaft pressure buildup screw machine and/or a co-rotating multi-shaft pressure buildup screw machine. A multi-shaft pressure buildup screw machine is in particular designed as a two-shaft pressure buildup screw machine.

[0136] The individual features of the exemplary embodiments described can be combined with one another in any manner