화학공학소재연구정보센터
Polymer Engineering and Science, Vol.34, No.10, 827-834, 1994
3-Dimensional Finite-Element Analysis of Polymeric Fluid-Flow in an Extrusion Die .1. Entrance Effect
The Galerkin finite element method has been applied to study the three-dimensional flow field of power-law fluids inside an extrusion die. Two inlet designs, i.e., center-fed and end-fed, have been considered. The effects of inertial force as represented by the Reynolds number Re, inlet geometry, and the power-law index n on lateral flow uniformity and vortex formation in the entrance region have been examined. A flow visualization technique has been carried out to experimentally verify the theoretical prediction of the three-dimensional flow field inside a die. It has been found that increasing Re or decreasing n will deteriorate flow uniformity. Depending on the direction of the inlet jet stream, the inertial force may create a flow peak in the central region of a center-fed die, or the maximum flow rate will appear close to the end of the die for an end-fed die. For highly shear-thinning fluids, lower flow rates are always observed close to the end of the dies. It is concluded that creating a plug flow in the inlet tube of the extrusion die is advantageous for both center-fed and end-fed designs.