Study on the structural optimization strategy of heat-mass transfer for wet coating of electrode

A heat-mass coupling model of wet coating is established during convective drying process based on dynamic mesh method and user defined functions (UDF), and this model is proved accurate. Then, by orthogonal experimental design method, the changes and sensitivity in key drying indicators are compared and analyzed under different oven structure parameters for wet coating (Distances between the wind knives and wet coating, radius of wind knives, area of return air outlet, hole structure). The results show that with the increase of radius, the temperature, drying rate, and water uniformity show a significant increase trend, while the dry basis moisture content and water saturation shows a linear decrease trend. The influence of other structural parameters is relatively small. Finally, the structure optimization strategy is determined for coating oven based on range analysis method. Considering the commonly used drying indicators (drying rate and water uniformity) in engineering, within the scope of this numerical model research, for drying rate, the structural optimization strategy is recommended to select as distance between wind knives and coating =26.5 mm, radius of wind knives =6.3 mm, area of return air outlet for wind knives =2250 mm², and wind knives with holes. For water uniformity, the structural optimization strategy is recommended to select as distance between wind knives and coating =11.5 mm, radius of wind knives =6.3 mm, area of return air outlet for wind knives =3000 mm², and wind knives without holes. © 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd.