Steady state and dynamic analysis of a bench-scale injected pultrusion process

This article examines the operational characteristics of the injected pultrusion process using a bench-scale unit. The distributed, non-linear nature of the process makes routine process operations and quality control difficult. In our prior work [Comput. Chem. Engng. 4 (2000) 1961], a three-dimensional dynamic model based on mass, momentum and energy transport was developed. This processing model is validated using experimental data from the bench scale unit. Experiments were designed to verify the steady state and dynamics of the process model. The model predictions were validated with the primary measurements of temperature and pressure profiles, and cure, as well as secondary measurements of pull force and part exit temperature. While there was good agreement with the observed data, the experimental results indicate the need for better pull-force models and improved measurement and feedback stabilization techniques.