Abstract:
A mathematical description of the autoclave treatment process for cellular concrete products has been developed as a non-stationary control object under conditions of parameter distribution in the form of a system of partial differential equations. The equations take into account heat and mass transfer both in the autoclave medium and in the cellular concrete masses, as well as the process of steam diffusion through the boundary layer and internal heat release during the synthesis of hydro-silicates in the structure of the autoclaved raw material in the form of tobermorite. The resulting system of equations is linked with boundary conditions according to the scheme proposed in the work. Based on the obtained system of partial differential equations, and considering the developed scheme of boundary conditions, a calculation scheme for the autoclave and its corresponding computational model in the SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation software environment have been created. Numerical experiments were conducted to assess the temperature dynamics at the center and surface of the masses, as well as in the autoclave medium. A comparison of the results of numerical modeling with known data from field experiments by determining the root mean square deviation of temperature values at the center and surface of cellular concrete masses confirmed the adequacy of the developed model under the accepted assumptions. The data obtained from numerical modeling can be used in the synthesis of automated control systems with the autoclave treatment process to determine the temperature gradient in the volume of autoclaved cellular concrete, which, in turn, will optimize production processes and improve the quality of the final product while minimizing energy consumption for its production.