Modelado y simulación de la extrusora tipo husillo mediante el uso del software Ansys Cfd Simulation

Abstract

The objective of the modeling and simulation of the screw extruder by using the ANSYS CFD software allowed a real-time simulation of the extrusion process of the Polypropylene in addition to determining the properties of the plastic material when it is submitted under certain conditions. The main advantage of the use of this program is that it facilitates the development and solution of calculation and design of problems, shortens times and allows observing as well as verifying the process of the fluid, which goes through several stages such as: the feeding, plasticizing, dosing and unloading area. The design of the equipment is carried out with real measurements so that the results obtained are as close as possible to reality. With the model generated of the extruder, data (inputs) of the Polypropylene are entered, among which are values of density, dynamic viscosity, Cp and thermal conductivity as part of the fluid, and as part of the equipment, the extruder's construction material is configured. With all the parameters already established, the boundary conditions are set where the values of environmental pressure and temperature of 3 resistances reaching 500 degrees Celsius are configured. Finally, the Simulator is run first to preheat the equipment where the fluid is clear air, and then when it reaches the set temperature of 175 degrees Celsius of the polypropylene extrusion, the new pre-established fluid of the plasticizing material is introduced to observe its behavior over time. It is worth mentioning that to achieve this goal, a certain number of iterations and time established by the user were used. The main analysis variables provided by the software at the end of the fluid analysis were: pressure, temperature, and speed. Besides, an analysis of the material entering the equipment was carried out, which has certain properties that can influence the extrusion process. It is recommended to consider for the analysis the heat losses existing during the process.