Industrial Furnace Atmosphere Control
Industrial furnaces are used in a variety of manufacturing processes such as heat treating, glass forming, metal melting, soldering, and metal tube bending. These furnaces are designed to operate within a very specific temperature range, as well as to control the internal atmosphere within the furnace. The atmosphere, or gas mixture, inside a furnace helps regulate the temperature of the products being worked on inside the furnace, as well as to create the right heat environment for successful bonding of certain metals or materials.
The atmosphere within the industrial furnace can be manipulated in order to affect the properties of the products being worked on. Generally, the atmosphere inside a furnace can be broken down into two categories – oxidizing and reducing. The oxidizing atmosphere will cause the oxygen molecules to bond with other molecules, resulting in oxidation of the materials being worked on. A reducing atmosphere, on the other hand, will have fewer oxygen molecules available, resulting in fewer oxidation reactions occurring inside the furnace.
Most industrial furnaces are built with the capability to regulate the atmosphere inside the furnace. This is done by adding another component to the furnace setup called an atmosphere control system. The control system will provide the correct mixture of gases, or atmosphere, to the furnace, depending on what is being worked on inside the furnace.
When selecting the appropriate atmosphere control system for a particular industrial furnace, a number of factors will be taken into consideration. Depending on the type of product being worked on inside the furnace, one atmosphere might be preferred over another. The amount of heat being generated from the furnace may also dictate which type of atmosphere is best. If a large amount of heat is being generated, then it might be best to use an oxidizing atmosphere instead of a reducing one.
The atmosphere control system will also take into consideration the amount of process time being used, as well as the desired end result of the goods that are being heated. If the end result of the heated goods is to be much more durable, for example, then a reducing atmosphere might be preferred over an oxidizing one.
Safety is also an important consideration when selecting an appropriate atmosphere control system. It is important to ensure that the temperature inside the furnace is within the set parameters to avoid the risk of combustion or explosion, while also choosing a system that meets all industry safety standards.
Finally, the cost of the atmosphere control system will factor into the decision. Although many of these systems are quite expensive and complex, they are worth it in the long run as they can help to reduce the chances of dangerous and damaging reactions taking place inside the furnace.
In conclusion, it is vitally important to choose an appropriate atmosphere control system for any industrial furnace. This system will be key in helping to ensure the safety of those who working in and around the furnace, as well providing the optimum temperature and atmosphere mix for the goods being heated inside the furnace. With the right system in place, the industrial furnace will be able to perform optimally and help create products of the highest quality.
