TY - JOUR
TI - Prediction of binder polymerization rate in the glass wool curing oven
AU - Kraševec Boris
AU - Potta Beeran Yasir
AU - Tiyyagura Reddy Hanuma
AU - Muhič Simon
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2024
VL - 28
IS - 5
SP - 4187
EP - 4198
PT - Article
AB - Binder polymerization in the curing oven was investigated experimentally in the glass wool production. First focus was on the measurements of glass wool layer temperature distribution along the curing oven. The different temperature curves were compared with fiber density distribution in a layer of glass wool, measured with the X-ray device. The maximum difference between the temperature curves amounted to 60°C and fiber density distribution deviated for ±8% according to nominal density. With a near infra-red spectroscopy binder polymerization rate was measured and compared with a set average temperature of curing oven, where the regression model was determined. With temperature reduction for 9°C and polymerization rate decreasing for 2% were defined optimal product quality. In the next study, binder polymerization rate was predicted with aid of set temperatures and fan rotational frequency as input process parameters and near infra-red spectroscopy as continuous response variable, where the temperature shown bigger impact than fan rotational frequency. Next prediction was done with aid of the input parameters and the magnitude of the fan rotational frequency and temperature as a response variable. In this case, the input quantities represent: a type of product, curing oven saturation, the ambient temperature, micronaire, area weight of the product, and binder amount in the glass wool product. For each zone of the curing oven, an equation was determined to predict the magnitude of the fan rotational frequency and temperature. Regression models results showed high correlation with the determination coefficient, R2, higher than 0.85.