Abstract:

The airflow field in a fibre transport channel is crucial as it affects the fibre configuration significantly and, consequently, the yarn properties. Geometric parameters are found to be critical in influencing airflow characteristics.3D finite volume computationswere adopted to evaluate the effects of geometric parameters of the transport channel on airflow characteristics. A bypass channel for extra air supply into the transport channel was also evaluated. The results reveal that the transport channel inlet area has a more significant impact on the vortices generated at the channel inlet than the transport channel length. Either increasing the transport channel length or decreasing the transport inlet area can reduce the vortices but cannot eliminate them. By adopting a bypass channel, the vortices are reduced significantly and the air velocity at the transport channel inlet, especially in the fibre separation area, is increased.