Vulcanization process control based on modeling and evaluation of key model parameters

Abstract

The problem of choosing the optimal parameters of the vulcanization process is solved, ensuring the achievement of the required quality of rubber. A review of similar tasks showed that solutions are implemented on software products of foreign origin. The main purpose of this study is to develop an effective domestic software product for calculating the temperature and time regime of vulcanization of multilayer products. A systematic analysis of the process was carried out, which showed that incorrectly selected temperature and time parameters can lead to uneven vulcanization of the layers, thereby worsening the properties of the product or increasing production costs. The paper presents a model study of vulcanization processes, which ensures the completion of the process in the center of a multilayer product. The main model components were the equations of thermal conductivity, kinetic equations, for which the parameters were evaluated: pre-exponential coefficients and activation energy. The adequacy of the obtained results is confirmed by numerical experiment. Based on the simulation results, software has been developed to select the control parameters of the process. The architectural features of the program are the implementation of a modular approach. The main modules allow the identification of parameters of mathematical models and carry out simulation modeling of the process. The Python programming language was used to implement the module for determining the kinetic parameters of the model. The module is implemented in the form of a user interface that provides interaction between the researcher and the system. Python is a cross-platform language and has a large set of libraries for solving various problems of mathematical modeling of industrial processes. The module for calculating the temperature and degree of vulcanization for each layer implements algorithms that take into account the dynamics inside the product and the kinetics of chemical reactions associated with vulcanization. As a result of the simulation, the recommended process control parameters were obtained, which contribute to reducing the time and resources spent on the production process.