HEAT TRANSFER AUGMENTATION OF COOLING EQUIPMENT FOR AMRITHAM NUTRIMIX PLANT

Mechanical Engineering

The reduced production rates and industry closures caused by the COVID pandemic have impacted the availability of Nutrimix powder, which is crucial for children’s health. Meeting the high demand for Nutrimix within the required quantity and timeframe has become a challenge.During our assessment of a production plant, we identified several obstacles affecting production rates and cycle time, with one prominent issue being the extended cooling time during the manufacturing process.To tackle this problem, we developed a cooling chamber specifically designed for the pulverized wheat-air mixture produced by the grinding mill. The mixture, initially at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius, undergoes cooling by passing through a pipe equipped with fins to enhance efficiency. It then enters a larger cylindrical chamber with the assistance of a suction blower, creating a vacuum pressure. To prevent the entry of pulverized wheat, a filter is positioned in front of the blower.For effective cooling, we implemented a copper-wound system utilizing a water-glycol mixture that flows through the copper tube. The copper is wound around an enclosed aluminum chamber and the larger pipe to optimize the cooling process. Prior to recirculating the coolant, it passes through an air reservoir to eliminate any air bubbles.Additionally, we conducted a CFD Fluent analysis to evaluate various aspects such as velocity variation, pressure variation, adjacent surface temperature variation, and volumetric rendering of the coolant and pulverized wheat-air mixture. These analysis results played a crucial role in fine-tuning the design and improving the overall efficiency of the cooling system.

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