@article{hassan_anantharamaiah_khan_pourdeyhimi_2016, title={Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations and Experiments of Meltblown Fibrous Media: New Die Designs to Enhance Fiber Attenuation and Filtration Quality}, volume={55}, ISSN={["0888-5885"]}, DOI={10.1021/acs.iecr.5b04020}, abstractNote={The meltblowing process employs high-speed hot air jets to attenuate polymer streams injected from a die head. In this study, we examine design strategies to control the air flow field below the polymer injection point to achieve higher fiber attenuation and meltblown webs with smaller fiber diameters. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for new die configurations show that vertical or inclined air constrictors around the primary air jets keep the centerline air velocity and temperature at their maximum values for 10–15 mm longer below the die face than the reference die. Polymer streams are kept near their melting temperatures at higher air velocities for a longer period, resulting in higher fiber attenuation. The underlying mechanisms leading to such behavior are discussed. Experimental results show reduction in fiber diameter and pore size, validating the simulation. Improved filtration properties are also obtained from the nonwovens webs.}, number={7}, journal={INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH}, author={Hassan, Mohammad Abouelreesh and Anantharamaiah, Nagendra and Khan, Saad A. and Pourdeyhimi, B.}, year={2016}, month={Feb}, pages={2049–2058} }
 @article{hassan_khan_pourdeyhimi_2016, title={Fabrication micro-meltblown filtration media using parallel plate die design}, volume={133}, ISSN={["1097-4628"]}, DOI={10.1002/app.42998}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT}, number={7}, journal={JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE}, author={Hassan, Mohammad Abouelreesh and Khan, Saad A. and Pourdeyhimi, Behnam}, year={2016}, month={Feb} }
 @article{hassan_yeom_wilkie_pourdeyhimi_khan_2013, title={Fabrication of nanofiber meltblown membranes and their filtration properties}, volume={427}, ISSN={["1873-3123"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.memsci.2012.09.050}, abstractNote={Meltblowing is a unique one-step process for producing self-bonded fibrous nonwoven membranes directly from polymer resins, with average fiber diameter ranging between 1 and 2 μm. Determining routes for making nano- or submicron-fibers using this process are desirable since there are many manufacturing assets that are already in place. It is envisaged that these nonwoven membranes will find applications in critical areas such as medical, hygiene, filtration, bioseparation, and others. In this study, we investigate the influence of different die configurations and operating conditions on fiber and web characteristics. We also report on strategies for reducing the fiber size below one micron to achieve higher filtration quality at lower basis weight relative to the conventional meltblown webs. Their performance is compared to a control meltblown sample produced by using a typical die design. We find that production of nano-meltblown membranes with an average fiber size in the range of 300–500 nm using this new die design is possible and report on process operating conditions that result in such structures. These samples achieve equal filtration efficiencies to that of our control sample at 88% reduced basis weight but at a lower polymer throughput. The lower basis weight also resulted in a lower pressure drop and overall, the new samples exhibited a higher quality factor, twice that of the control. These results show significant promise for the use of nano-meltblown fibers in filtration applications.}, journal={JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE}, author={Hassan, Mohammad Abouelreesh and Yeom, Bong Yeol and Wilkie, Arnold and Pourdeyhimi, Behnam and Khan, Saad. A.}, year={2013}, month={Jan}, pages={336–344} }