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In this work, computational fluid dynamics simulations are performed to predict the temperature distribution on a part during an autoclave run. Data from an experimental study are used as input to the simulations and also for comparison with the numerical results. A conjugate heat transfer approach was used for the simulations, where best agreement with experiments was obtained from the simulation that included thermal radiation and utilized an experimentally obtained velocity profile as inlet velocity. A yet more detailed inlet velocity profile and more advanced turbulent model could result in an even better agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the temperature distribution on an industrial mold tool is monitored during autoclave runs with three settings. In one of the settings, the temperature and pressure follow a scheme used in real moldings, while in the other two cases, the temperature is increased as fast as possible with and without an applied pressure. The temperature difference over the tool is relatively large and varies between 29℃ and 76℃ validating a detailed investigation of the temperature at different points. Two results of this are that positions on the up-stream side of the tool are heated faster than positions down-stream and the heating over the tool is symmetric while that within is asymmetric. Roughly estimated heat transfer coefficients reveal that the temperature ramping has no significant effect on the local heat transfer coefficients while the applied pressure more than doubled them. In addition flow field measurements with particle image velocimetry are performed, revealing a very slow flow near the roof of the autoclave and a velocity peak near the floor of it, indicating that the flow profile within the autoclave and variation in heat transfer coefficients should be considered in autoclave simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]