Optimizing dome curvature boost heat transfer in concrete curing kiln.

Abstract

Conventional flat-top precast concrete curing kilns suffer from uneven temperature distribution, affecting production quality. This study introduced a curvature-varying dome curve (CVDC) to optimize the airflow dynamics. Numerical simulations evaluated the effects of different curvature coefficients (<i>K</i> = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) on temperature distribution, thermal properties, and entropy generation under actual curing conditions. The results show that the CVDC design significantly improves the internal air circulation and heat transfer efficiency while minimizing kinetic energy losses. Specifically, when the curvature coefficient is <i>K</i> = 0.5, the average Nusselt number increases by 67.02%, the dissipated entropy generation decreases by 74.13%, and the uniformity of temperature distribution improves by 28.57% compared with the conventional flat ceiling structure. These findings provide practical guidance for optimizing the ceiling structure of curing kilns, offering great potential for improving energy efficiency in precast concrete manufacturing.