Autoclave safety features for vacuum

[carbongr]

Hi,
I have got a Leeds & Bradford boiler, electrically heated. Working pressure 10bar and temp 200C.
If i decided to add vacuum (in order to cure composites) what device(s) should i add between the vacuum pump and the autoclave, for safety proposes?
There are a few blanked inputs, so installing a vacuum line is not a problem (do not need drilling and/or welding).
Thanks in advance,
George

 

[MechanicalChef]

A resin-trap, internally or externally would probably suffice. Our claves down here may have one, but the few times we've bled resin out of the part, the resin only progressed a few inches up the vacuum line. The through-bag valve on the fitting was trashed, but we were able to disassemble vacuum connection and crack the resin out of the lines.

It's not a huge concern in my limited experience with prepregs. However, our guys have sucked resin into a pump when doing VaRTM. YMMV.

 

[carbongr]

Thanks for the reply.
I believe there must be installed something like a safety device between the resin trap and the autoclave vacuum outlet in case of a bag or hose failure.
Does anybody know about what this should be?
Thanks,
George

 

[Compositepro]

I've used a large (1.5" NPT) ball check valve teed into the vacuum line. In case of a bag break pressure would vent to atmosphere instead of flowing through the vacuum pump. Most vacuum system use long runs of small diameter tubing so there is plenty of flow restriction (not good for normal operation).

Is this going to become a steam autoclave? Otherwise I don't think the heaters in a boiler will work.