Large eddy simulation (LES) approach for solving fluid dynamical problems in the nonwoven fabric industry

摘要

This paper is concerned with the application of the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique for simulating important fluid flow processes in the nonwoven fabric industry. Fluid dynamics plays an important role in determining the quality of the fiber lay-down process. For instance, fabrics produced from wet-laid or air-laid nonwovens processes can have "ropes" if the fibers encounter a vortex in the fluid flow or "logs or sticks" if there is not enough agitation in the fluid flow. Similarly, fabrics produced from a spunbond system can have large nonuniformities in basis weight if the flow field involves large scale eddies. Most of the fluid dynamical processes that are important in the making of nonwoven materials can be effectively and efficienctly simulated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. Hence, CFD tools, instead of more costly experimental methods, can be used for designing the equipment used in the making of nonwoven fabric.