Influence of the Guide Blade Angle to the Airflow Velocity Inside the Spray Drying Chamber: A Numerical Study

Abstract

In the present study, a three-dimensional model of spray drying chamber was established. The velocity magnitudes inside the chamber under different guide blade angles are analyzed by using Fluent. The velocity fields inside the spray drying chamber are then simulated under different airflow guide blade angles. It is concluded according to the simulation results that the guide blades cause a rotating airflow field inside the chamber. 3D model is required for numerical simulation due to the asymmetrical flow field. Uniform distribution of velocity field inside the spray drying chamber is beneficial to the drying quality. Too large airflow speed would decrease the contact time inside the chamber, and too small airflow speed would weaken the mix of the hot airflow and feed material, which are both not beneficial to the dry quality. The guide blade angle would lead to beneficial airflow velocity filed inside the spray drying chamber when it is among the range of 20° to 40°.