Estudo teórico da termofluidodinâmica em secadores ciclônicos.

Abstract

Cyclones are equipments very used in chemical processes, in several units operations. Their aim is to promote the solid and/or a liquid separation from a gas stream and dry solids. In this sense, the present work proposes a theoretical study of thermal fluid dynamics of a cyclone as dryer. The mathematical model considers three-dimensional, turbulent and stationary flow for gas phase, and Lagrange model for particles. The governing equations were solved numerically with the finite-volumes method, using UPWIND interpolation scheme for convective terms and algorithm SIMPLEC for pressure-velocity coupling. As an application, the methodology was used to predict the sugar cane bagasse drying in a cyclone. Simulations had been carried out using the computational code CFX-3D. Results of the moisture content, temperature and dimensional variations of the particles and velocity, pressure and temperature distributions of the air drying, to several air conditions, shape of the cyclone and initial velocity of particle is presented and analyzed. Three-dimensional gas-particle flow, recirculation zones and inversion flow were verified inside the cyclone. Numerical data fitted well experimental ones. It was verified that the kinetic drying, temperature and residence time of the particles were affected by air drying conditions and cyclone geometry. Cyclone with square inlet section were more efficient to dry than cyclone with vertical and horizontal rectangular section duct.