Estudo da influência da geometria de perfil de aletas no fluxo de ar em dutos de sistema de transporte aéreo para frascos pet

Abstract

This study analyzed the airflow inside the duct of an overhead PET bottle conveyor, focusing on evaluating how changes in the air outlet geometry could influence airflow behavior and, consequently, the transportation of the bottles. The objective is to assess how such modifications impact airflow lines, velocities, flow rates, and pressure levels. The research is based on related studies and references from authors with similar objectives, employing advanced tools for three-dimensional modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, complementing classical analytical calculations. A comparative analysis was conducted between the geometries AU (current) and AV (proposed), with the latter distinguishing itself from the former, particularly in terms of internal duct pressure. The CFD simulation results indicated a 91.53% reduction in inlet pressure and a 91.81% reduction in outlet pressure while maintaining similar outlet flow rates for both AV and AU geometries. Additionally, there was an observed average reduction in flow velocity and an increase in the Reynolds number due to the hydraulic diameter increase, which was not entirely offset by the velocity reduction, resulting in higher Reynolds values. On a macro-scale analysis, the airflow behavior inside the duct did not show significant variations between the two simulated fin models. Although the results are promising, they highlight the need for practical tests to validate the applicability of the conclusions drawn from the simulations. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]