Numerical analysis of the interaction between high-pressure resin spray and wood chips in a vapour stream

Abstract

This article investigates the interaction between the resin spray and the wood chips in a vapour stream using a multi-phase multi-component computational fluid dynamics approach. The interaction between the spray and the chips is one of the main issues in the industrial process for manufacturing medium density fibre boards. Thus, the optimization of this process can lead to important benefits, such as the reduction in the emission of formaldehyde-based toxic chemicals, the reduction in energy consumption in the blending process and energy saving in the fibreboard drying process. First step of the study is the numerical analysis of the resin injector in order to extend the experimental measurements carried out with water to the resin spray. The effects of the injector's geometrical features on the spray formation are highlighted under different injection pressure values and needle displacements. Afterwards, the results obtained in the analysis of the single injector are used for the complete simulation of multi-injector rail where the mixing of the resin spray and wood chips takes place. The influence of the main operating conditions, such as the vapour and the wood chip flow rates, on the resin distribution is addressed in order to optimize the resination process

Dynamic Analysis of the Lubrication in a Wet Clutch of a Hydromechanical Variable Transmission

“…Similar approach was adopted in [4] and [5] for evaluating the multi-phase flow in a directional control valve for load sensing application and in a closed center load-sensing proportional control valve respectively. Though, complex physics including multi-phase and multi-components phenomena can be addressed [6], only recently CFD modeling has been employed in the analysis of the ATF flow through the plates of a wet clutch. In [7] the multidimensional simulation was adopted for investigating the multiphase flow through an open grooved two-disc system, but a single phase and constant flow inlet boundary were assumed, while in the real phenomenon each couple of plates has a non-uniform air-oil mixture and pressure distribution at the boundaries.…”