A tube furnace or tubular furnace as it is also known, is an important equipment used in laboratories for material synthesis and heat treatment. It is an electric heating system that is used in a laboratory for thermolysis reactions of reactants. For example, ketenes are prepared from a ketene lamp in a tube furnace while flash vacuum pyrolysis uses a fused quartz tube using ceramic beads or quartz at very high temperatures. In this article we take a look at tubular furnaces and leading rotary kiln manufacturers in order to find the best performing furnaces.
Introduction to Tubular Furnace
The tubular furnace is a part of a series of equipment used in the preparation of materials for diverse industrial needs especially in industries like materials science, chemistry, metallurgy, and engineering. The applications are primarily centered around synthesis and processing to make advanced materials that need to have specific thermal and mechanical properties. This type of furnace is mostly used in very high-temperature processes like annealing, sintering or brazing since they can be heated to temperatures as high as 1700°C. A particular advantage of these furnaces can be controlled ensuring a safe atmosphere in which newer materials can be obtained.
The core segment of a tubular furnace is its insulated heating chamber. Depending on the application for which the sample-material is being prepared, an appropriate heating element is selected:
- Ceramic-based heating elements – Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) and silicon carbide (SiC) are commonly used in high-temperature applications up to 1800°C
- Metal-based heating elements – Nichrome and Kanthal are used for temperatures up to 1200°C.
- Quartz glass tubes – These are used for temperatures up to 1100°C in environments that need transparency or optical analysis.
However, when choosing a tubular furnace a number of factors need to be considered – the temperature range, heating element type, chamber size, and gas flow rate. Apart from tubular furnaces you can also consider another type of high-temperature furnace called the rotary kilns. Let us look at its features and why you should choose a top rotary kiln manufacturer.
Introduction to Top Rotary Kiln Manufacturers
Similar to a tubular furnace, the rotary kiln has a large cylindrical chamber, heated at one end and slowly rotated on its axis. The sample-material is placed within the kiln and heated through radiation and convection as the kiln rotates.
There are several rotary kiln manufacturers that provide customized solutions for different applications. Here are the top rotary kiln manufacturers in the industry:
- FEECO International, Inc.: is a leading designer and manufacturer of rotary kilns focusing mainly on minerals, fertilizer, and chemical processing industries. It custom-makes the rotary kilns for a number of applications.
- Harrop Industries, Inc.: Custom-makes kilns, dryers, and combustion systems in different industries like ceramics, refractories, and aerospace. It makes two types of rotary kilns, direct-fired and indirect-fired with custom-designed refractory linings and automated control systems.
- Heyl & Patterson Inc.: makes a variety of thermal processing equipment for a number of industries- including energy, chemicals, and food processing. In addition to direct-fired and indirect-fired rotary kilns it also makes fluid bed dryers and calciners.
When it comes to choosing the right high-temperature furnace for a specific application, it is important to consider factors like – temperature range, sample size, and atmosphere needed. Equally important is finding a reliable manufacturer with a track record for high-quality equipment.
Conclusion
Hence, high-temperature furnaces like tubular furnaces and rotary kilns are very important in a number of industries that need high-temperature processing. Thus, manufacturers play a key role in this industry. They battle challenges like energy consumption and maintenance to address innovations in technology as well as provide continuous support to customers. Therefore, when choosing furnaces you should consider the key factors of your industry and your specific niche to ensure you have used the perfect tubular furnace and have the best rotary kiln manufacturers supporting your endeavors.
