Date of Award
4-2005
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Chemical and Paper Engineering
Department
Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging
First Advisor
Dr. Dewei Qi
Second Advisor
Dr. Paul D. Fleming III
Third Advisor
Dr. David Peterson
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
In this research, the commercially available software called FLUENT is used to simulate and visualize behaviors of flow in a three-layer stratified headbox of a paper machine. A two-phase model, "volume of fluid", is employed to simulate turbulences in a free jet. The information obtained from the simulations, in terms of velocity profiles, Reynolds stress, turbulent kinetic energy, and macro scale of turbulence, are used to assess and characterize the effect of free jet length, vane length, vane thickness, nozzle angle, and slice opening on fiber layer mixing. Importantly, the simulation results demonstrated that the macro scale of turbulence in the free jet is a critical parameter to evaluate and optimize the degree of fiber layer mixing and forming. In addition, air entrainment was observed in the three dimensional simulations. It is expected that the vane and free jet lengths are the keys of layer mixing in stratified headbox. In addition, it is better for both vane and free jet lengths to be adjustable during operation.
Recommended Citation
Kunsriluksakul, Jatetana, "3D Simulation of Layer Mixing in a Three-Layer Stratified Headbox" (2005). Masters Theses. 4962.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4962