Design and optimization of non-circular mortar nozzles using finite volume method and Taguchi method

Abstract

The structure parameters of non-circular mortar nozzles for automatic wall-plastering machines are crucial in improving the performance of spraying uniformity and obtaining a larger plastering area, higher plastering quality, and efficiency. To address the non-uniformity issues of the existing mortar nozzles, we investigate the effects of a special nozzle structure on its outlet velocity uniformity by using Taguchi methods and the finite volume method. The experimental studies are conducted under various combinations of five factors: length, width, thickness, water-cement ratio, and inlet velocity, using a standard orthogonal array provided by Taguchi methods. The results reveal that the thickness, length, inlet velocity, width, and water-cement ratio are the influential factors on the outlet velocity uniformity. The interaction effects between length and thickness, length and width, and width and thickness are also significant on its outlet velocity uniformity. A higher water-cement ratio and a lower inlet velocity should be chosen as long as it meets the requirements of plastering quality and efficiency. The study of non-circular mortar nozzles provides an important reference for its systematic design in the future.