The production of cement involves various stages, from extraction to final use, including a drying stage. There are several methods for drying the composition. This study focuses on the spray-drying method. The principle of this method is simple: the liquid composition is sprayed into a stream of hot air, extracting the moisture and returning only the dry matter in powder form.
To preserve the physical and chemical properties of specialty cements, manufacturing processes require rigorous thermal and mechanical conditions. These can only be achieved through precise control of the process parameters, and an excellent understanding of the impact of each parameter on the final physico-chemical properties of the product.
The aim of this study is therefore to vary these parameters (air velocity, initial droplet size, temperature and humidity of the hot air stream, temperature of the liquid composition, etc.) using CFD simulation, and to determine their influence on the drying and solidification of the powder finally obtained.
An example of CFD simulation of the atomization of a silicate droplet is shown in the video below. Using appropriate software, OptiFluides models liquid phase spray-drying processes, enabling rapid, homogeneous silicate solidification, and thus supports cement industry companies in their innovation drive.
