Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Air Knives on Coating Thickness

Abstract

A numerical simulation of airflow was conducted during the application of a protective zinc coating with air knife blowing. The simulation was conducted in combination with the air knife features on the hot-dip galvanizing line of the cold rolling mill of Shougang Jingtang United Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. Fluent software was used in the simulation. This study also analyzed the effects of process parameters, such as air pressure, air blowing range, knife openness, and angle, on coating thickness. The effects of various factors on the numerical simulation of air pressure on the strip surface were regressed into a mathematical model. This method facilitated the quantitative analysis of such factors and provided a theoretical basis for precisely controlling coating thickness on the site.

Experimental verification of the feasibility of the CFD approach in an air-knife

“…Additionally, they are used to provide humidity to foods in the food sector [1][2][3]. Air knives are commonly used in the continuous hot dip galvanizing procedure, a coating technique in the steel industry [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The paper industry is one with effective use of air knives in the thermal paper production process where a very thin layer of chemicals is spread on paper [12].…”

“…Bao et al [9] completed a study about applying protective zinc coating with airknife blowers with numerical simulation of air-flow in 2016. This study also analyzed the effects of process parameters like air pressure, air blowing interval, knife opening and angle on coating thickness.…”