CHAMBER AND HOT ZONE
The furnace chamber is round and is supplied with a pneumatic top cover. The top heat shielding is attached to the cover to facilitate loading and unloading. The chamber is double-walled, manufactured from stainless steel, and is electro-polished for a clean, shiny and durable finish. The top cover is pneumatically lifted for easy, full access to the hot zone. All chamber components are water cooled.
In our graphite type zones, we utilize fibrous graphite insulation with excellent insulation value. A resistance heated graphite heating element surrounds the work area. Power to this element is delivered through a set of six unique tapered graphite pins that requires no threaded connections. The elimination of graphite threads greatly simplifies the design and reduces down time for element replacement.
The element zone area measures 20″ diameter x 16″ high (508 mm x 406 mm). Numerous other hot zone sizes are available. The usable area has a temperature uniformity of +/-10°C. A 5/8″ diameter rotatable gas ported quartz sight window for optical temperature measurement is located on the side of the chamber.
The chamber has a 4″ pumping port on the back side to accommodate an optional high vacuum system. The bottom of the chamber houses ports for the power connections. The furnace chamber and all related components are mounted on a structural angle frame. The control console is located to the right side of the furnace.
PROCESS GAS SYSTEM
This furnace system was designed to provide a positive inert gas environment for your work samples. The standard positive pressure used in this furnace is 2 P.S.I.G.
An adjustable relief valve and a compound gauge (30 P.S.I.G. x 30 in. Hg.) are located on the top of the furnace body. The inlet gas flow is regulated by means of an adjustable flow meter, and a solenoid gas inlet valve.
VACUUM SYSTEM
The standard roughing pumping system offered evacuates the furnace easily to the 20-100 milli-Torr vacuum level range. The basic roughing pump is a 38 C.F.M. (1075 lpm) Rotary Vane Pump. An electro-pneumatic vacuum valve isolates the chamber for operation in gas.
Vacuum levels can be monitored by visually observing the vacuum compound gauge or the Vacuum Gauge Controller. The vacuum system is operated by means of a graphical panel or the optional computer HMI system. The 4″ port on the chamber accommodates an optional high vacuum system.
POWER SUPPLY
Hot zone power is supplied by a three phase SCR-controlled transformer. This power supply is designed to accommodate high ramp rates to the maximum operating temperature of 3000°C.
All required circuit breakers, contactors and furnace controls are housed in one enclosure. The system meets all applicable Electrical and safety codes.
CONTROL SYSTEM
With the basic control package, temperature control is established with a Eurotherm controller reading a two Color Optical Pyrometer and a type “C” Thermocouple and controlling an automatic TC remover. This retractable TC is sealed with metal vacuum tight bellows, eliminating the need for sliding seals.
The TC controls hot zone temperature from room to 1500°C. The pyrometer will then take over control from 1500°C to 3000°C. At the change-over the thermocouple will automatically be retracted into the shielding, protecting it from over-heating. The vacuum gauge and controller with a pneumatic vacuum valve and control panel instruments allow monitoring and operation of the vacuum system.
The operation of the furnace is made simple and requires only minimal operator interaction, but still allow supervisors or technical personnel to re-configure and further customize the furnace operation.
The optional computer HMI control system unifies all control to one easy to use PC interface, see our option page for more details.
WATER SYSTEM
The drain water manifold provided with this system is designed to adequately cool the various furnace components.
A water flow switch with visual indication interlocks hot zone power. If insufficient flow is present for more than 5 seconds, power to the heating element is interrupted.
Each one of the circuits on the water manifold can be manually adjusted to allow sufficient flow through each circuit while saving water, and allow a drain temperature of approximately 100 F (40°C).
UTILITIES:
| Power: |
130 kVA, 400-480V/3/50-60 Hz (other voltages available) |
| Water: |
24 GPM (93 lpm) @ 20°C (70°F) and 50 P.S.I.G. (3.4 bar) |
| Process Gas: |
Ar, He, 30-60 lpm @ 50 P.S.I.G. (3.4 bar) |
| Compressed Air: |
60-90 P.S.I.G. (4.1 – 6.2 bar) filtered |
