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Aerodynamics in the blown film process
Author(s) -
Campbell G. A.,
Obot N. T.,
Cao B.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.760321107
Subject(s) - aerodynamics , superposition principle , materials science , mechanics , jet (fluid) , nozzle , flow (mathematics) , bubble , mechanical engineering , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
Abstract Most industrial and laboratory blown film lines use an air ring with one or more lips to produce an annular air jet that cools the polymer extrudate. Experience in operating blown film lines indicates that the air flow around the bubble plays an important role in both heat transfer and momentum trasfer. The former has received some attention in the literature, but few investigations have been made on the latter. This paper deals with the aerodynamic aspect of the blown film process. An air flow field similar to that in the blown film process was produced by blowing air past a rigid model. Aerodynamic experiments were carried out to determine the velocity and pressure distributions, and the overall axial force on the rigid model. Theoretical predictions using the techniques of superposition of stream functions and macro‐balances of mass and energy were compared with experimental data.