Drying as a basic scientific phenomenon has been intensively investigated but limited for specific and real running stenter. Authors approach was to apply scientific methods to investigate real machine performance. This work investigates phenomenon of textile drying under specific technological conditions. Temperature inside the machine chamber has been scientifically proven as a parameter that significantly correlates to energy consumption. Research on such large systems and machines is too expensive and the investigation must involve the digitalization of process by modern computational methods. Previous experimental investigation and 2D numerical simulation of the machine have been used as base for extended investigation with 3D numerical model and appropriate simulation. Goal is to understand temperature and density distribution inside the textile dried in a stenter chamber with simulation under real value parameters.

Abstract A mathematical model which can describe flow and phase change of a number of phases at high temperatures is presented. It combines an interface capturing multiphase model, the P–1 radiation model, and a melting/solidification model. The resulting equations are solved by employing the finite volume discretization, a segregated solution procedure and the SIMPLE algorithm. The melting/solidification model is a finite rate model which in the limiting case behaves like a thermodynamic equilibrium model and it can also be used in situations where the phase change occurs within a range of temperatures as well as for problems where the phase change occurs at a constant temperature. The method is verified on a number of problems. The results obtained show a good agreement with exact solutions or results which can be found in literature.