화학공학소재연구정보센터
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.44, No.23, 8922-8932, 2005
Analysis of multiple jets in the Schwarz melt-blowing die using computational fluid dynamics
Melt-blowing dies are used industrially to fabricate fine polymer fibers. The Schwarz die is a type of melt-blowing die that uses multiple columns of polymer orifices and associated air jets. This arrangement contrasts with the single column of orifices that is used in the slot, or Exxon, die. The experimental measurements of the air flow field from a Schwarz die can be reproduced using a k-is an element of turbulence model. Six different multihole die geometries were simulated in 3D with this model. In comparison with the flow field of a single jet, the velocity maximums occurred closer to the die face for an array of jets. The spreading rates for the center jets of the multihole dies were similar to each other, and close to 0.5, while the spreading rate of a single annular jet has been observed to be close to twice this value. In addition, the differences in the air fields of the multihole geometries lead to observations concerning multiple jet interactions. The distance required for the inside column of jets to affect the outside jets was determined as a function of the jet orifice spacing. Finally, the turbulence intensity of all the simulated flow fields did not vary as significantly as the velocity profiles.