Simulação computacional de impelidores aplicados ao processo de produção de poliuretano

Abstract

The mixing/agitation process is of great importance in the industry because a good mix is one of the elements that will guarantee the quality of the final product. In addition, this process is present in the most varied areas, such as food, petrochemicals, polymers, among others. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare in a preliminary way the mixing/agitation of a polyurethane foam production process in a textile company through computer simulation focusing on the influence of the impeller. 3 classes of foams (D10, D30 and D40) were chosen for analysis and the second mixing process of the process was analyzed; polyol, additives and catalyst. For the construction drawings, SolidWorks® software was used and the measurements of the tank and impeller were obtained at the company itself. The program chosen to carry out the simulation was Ansys Fluent®, using a mixed mesh of tetrahedral and hexahedral elements with an Eulerian approach and using finite volume elements. For the description of the phases and the turbulent viscosity, the Mixture and SST methods were used respectively. The main parameters of the mixture components were volumetric fraction, density and viscosity. The analyzed variables were dimensions and type of impeller and speed of rotation. Since the location offers good temperature control, so the process is considered isothermal and mass transfer effects were not taken into account, which generated only a mechanical analysis of the mixture. The results were graphically generated in order to demonstrate the agitation profile and the distribution of the catalyst in the mixture.