Numerical Simulation and Optimization of Airflow Distribution in Ceramic Drying Room

Abstract

Uniform and reasonable airflow organization in the drying room is critical for effective ceramic drying. In this research, we conducted a numerical simulation of the drying room and established a mathematical model with non-uniformity coefficients of velocity and temperature of 0.841 and 0.479 × 10⁻², respectively. The relative difference between the model and experimental value was within 10%. The airflow uniformity was optimized based on three parameters: number of wind cones, number of air outlets, and the air volume of the wind cones. As the number of wind cones increased, the airflow uniformity initially increased and then deteriorated. However, the airflow uniformity improved as the number of air outlets increased. Additionally, the velocity and temperature non-uniformity coefficients showed a V-shaped trend with an increase in the air volume of the wind cone. The optimal parameters were as follows: five wind cones, four air outlets, an air volume of 44000 m³/h of the wind cone, a velocity non-uniformity coefficient of 0.741, and a temperature non-uniformity coefficient of 0.37 × 10⁻². After optimization, the non-uniformity coefficients of velocity and temperature decreased by 11.8 and 22.7%, respectively.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ping Huo

Ping Huo is a professor and master tutor. She graduated from Tianjin University in 1999 with a master’s degree in mechanical design and theory. From 1992 to now, she taught at the College of Mechanical Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology. Her research interests include fluid mechanics, numerical heat transfer and numerical simulation.

Yazhou Wang

Yazhou Wang graduated from the College of Mechanical Engineering of North China University of Science and Technology and obtained the master’s degree of engineering under the guidance of Professor Huo Ping. His research interests include numerical simulation, fluid mechanics, heat transfer in porous media, and numerical heat transfer.