Gas Powered Furnaces

Compared to the industrial ovens, Industrial furnaces are enclosed structures that generate high heating temperatures in the heat chambers on metals and materials of high melting points. Natural gas furnaces are economical that create a high heat by burning propane or natural gas to generate heat used for high temperature applications. Heat transmission is by radiation from the wall of the furnace chamber that is heated. Various industries that find these furnaces suitable are glass manufacturers, ceramic firing, metal hardening, brazing, sintering, carburizing, stress relieving and solution treatment. These furnaces are multi-utility equipment that find wide application and are available in various types and configurations.

Features of the high temperature gas fired furnace are worth considering. Distribution of temperature is even and uniform. Initial operating costs are quite economical, as this eliminates the costly electrical heating elements. Operational hazards reduced by well-developed modern safeguard systems and overheating also is controlled by protecting safeties. Rugged in construction normally with stainless steel adequately refractory lined, this has flexibility by offering wide range of operation.

Centrifugal blowers used to give a steady airflow pressure and the modulated burner system offers a constant gas-air mix ratio for ideal firing by automatic sequence control that regulates the industrial variable speed centrifugal blower also. Refractory lined doors manually operate either by hand or by pedal and are spring loaded to ease opening or closing using minimum effort.

High induced sparks ignite the gas-air mixture to establish flame sensing which the photocell disconnects the supply to spark-plugs while the flame continues with modulated intensity by the sequence controls. The temperature is maintained to constant levels by this automation, either by regulated supply of combustion mixture or by having different burners all of which are controlled automatically by sequence controllers. Thus, steady temperature is maintained throughout the furnace all the time of operation.

The fire-box or the combustion chamber is made of a metal casing to retain the form but cannot withstand the temperature. So refractory lining is given by alumina, which provides longer service life than the soft fire bricks used for insulation and refractory purpose. Refractory clay that could be cat to the required form gives the furnace the necessary insulation against high temperature, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the furnace.

Gas furnaces are mechanically very simple and are best for melting operations. They are easy to install and operate at the same time very reliable. Depending on the availability of the gas, this furnace becomes ideal with its cost effectiveness. Automation makes the operation easier and the production of heat is substantial making the melting process faster. Loss of metal avoided because of the crucibles that protect exposure of metals to direct flame avoiding extra oxidation.

Nevertheless, the temperature of the metal in the furnace cannot be regulated precisely as the gas overshoots the metal temperature in melting process and allow metal temperature to drop below the desired pouring limit. The gas fired crucible furnace is also not accurate in keeping the temperature.

To circumvent these limitations gas-electric dual energy crucible furnace is evolved that quickly melts the metal in the crucible and the temperature is maintained precisely. Thus, these hybrid furnaces became very popular as they are economical and are available in sizes to the requirement of the user.