Frequency response analysis of nonisothermal film blowing process using transient simulations

Frequency response of the nonisothermal viscoelastic film blowing process to the ongoing sinusoidal disturbances has been investigated using transient simulation techniques. Of the many state variables exhibiting resonant peaks with the input frequency, amplitude ratio of the film cross-sectional area at the freezeline height has been used as an indicator of the process sensitivity. The effects of operating conditions and viscoelasticity on the sensitivity have been scrutinized around the middle point of three multiple steady states under the given conditions. The sensitivity results have been interpreted through their correlation with results from linear stability analysis. Increasing draw ratio generally makes the system more sensitive to sinusoidal disturbances, whereas the cooling induces more sensitive or less sensitive system, according to the location of a steady state. Also, the viscoelasticity makes the system of extensional thickening fluids more sensitive at low Deborah number and less sensitive at high Deborah number. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012