Vaporization rates for rolling oil using computer simulation improves safety in coil/foil annealing

David H. Johnson, Christine Logan, Richard Roberts

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

Abstract

The intent of this paper is to demonstrate the application of modern computer simulation methods to a typical furnace process. Heat treatment processes for metal products often involve various furnace operations. These processes are usually established with years of experimentation. Adjusting and improving the processes can require long-term experimental plans with difficult data collection demands. The case. study presented here assesses the vaporization rate of rolling oil on a coil of aluminum plate during its fabrication in a rolling mill. This was simulated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) computer programs. The simulation captures the phase-change of the oil from liquid to vapor states. With this information, the concentration of oil vapor in the furnace atmosphere could be predicted. The concentration levels are used to determine the Lower Explosive Limits (LEL) for which the furnace operators are responsible. The reader should see the relativity of the simulation methods in this particular case study to many common furnace processes. Computer simulation lends itself to studies which can adjust or improve furnace processes without impacting production schedules or requiring extra data collection in production furnace environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages44-47
Number of pages4
Volume63
No3
Specialist publicationLight Metal Age
StatePublished - May 2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

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