Theoretical and Numerical Investigation on Heat Transfer from Vulcanization Presses Containers

In the tire manufacturing process, rubber compounds are vulcanized in volcanic presses. The vulcanization technology is carried out at temperatures above 150 °C, i.e., at a temperature potential that causes heat losses if the containers are not sufficiently insulated. The paper describes the mathematical model developed to detect the heat fluxes from the container walls to the surroundings. The calculation is carried out strictly in the SI system. With the help of the developed model, the back-relations of heat losses through the vertical and horizontal walls of the container enclosure were obtained as a function of the thickness of the insulation without and with a radiation shield on the inside of the enclosure. Numerical modeling using the finite volume method was used to verify the results obtained. In the numerical simulation, a 2D and a 3D model were created, and the same input conditions as in the mathematical model were simulated. Using the obtained results, an energy-energy balance of the tire vulcanization technology was performed by comparing the heat loss fraction as a function of the external temperature of the container cover and as a function of the insulation thickness.