Effect of Inlet Pressure on the Polyurethane Spray Nozzle for Soil Cracking Improvement: Simulations using CFD Method

Abstract

Rigid spray polyurethane (RSPU) was commercially used as an injection in crack walls or soil surfaces to enhance material performance, increase lifetime, and save operating costs. The limitation of the RSPU nozzle was reported as easily clogging when sprayed out to the insulation and crack surface area and the finished product was less aesthetically pleasing. In this study, the RSPU nozzle of flat fan nozzle, 180° angle (Design A), Hollow cone nozzle, 60° angle (Design B), and Full cone nozzle, 90° angle (Design C) were prepared by using the SOLIDWORKS software. The effect of different pressures for RSPU nozzle design at the ranges of 4Mpa, 5MPa, and 6MPa was examined by ANSYS FLUENT software. The velocity of the outer spray nozzle shows a significant increase with increasing inlet pressure of the RSPU nozzle. The results reveal that the highest velocity of RSPU was obtained at the Hollow cone nozzle (Design B) as compared to (Flat fan nozzle) Design A and (Full cone nozzle) Design C at 394.249 m/s at 4MPa, 442.327 m/s at 5MPa and 485.37 m/s at 6MPa, respectively. The distribution droplet area shows the Design B spray formation had wider area coverage at 60° and exhibited that the injection nozzle spray was scatted and uniform at 6MPa. RSPU shows the velocity increased, distribution droplet increased, and output volume spray was decreased at the increasing of injection pressure. Hence, in this study was suggested that the size of RSPU nozzle design must be made at the ranges of 60° to 90° of outlet nozzle to obtain a good RSPU area. In conclusion, design B is the most effective for RSPU nozzle and is useful in injection cracking and insulation materials applications.