Thermal Technology
recently shipped a custom-designed large hot zone, refractory metal, vacuum furnace to
NIN- Northwest Institute of Nonferrous Metal Research, National Rare Metal Material
Processing Engineering Research Center in Shaanxi, P.R. China. NIN will use the
Thermal Technology
furnace for rare metal processing research.
Thermal Technology and NIN worked closely to develop a furnace specification that
would satisfy NIN’s needs within their budget. The bottom loading batch furnace
incorporated many of the features found on Thermal Technology’s Automatic Processing
Furnaces (APF) as well as some innovative designs to meet the challenging requirements
presented by the customer. The vacuum pumping system, gas controls and hydrogen safety
system are proven technology from our APF line of high temperature, batch processing
furnaces.
The large tungsten-weave heating element measures 20 inches in diameter
and 36 inches tall. The tungsten element allows operation above 2500°C in hydrogen
atmosphere for periods well in excess of 24 hours per run. This furnace may be one of the
largest refractory metal heating element furnaces ever produced for temperatures above
2500°C.
NIN’s temperature uniformity requirements are ±10°C above
2000°C. This level of temperature uniformity is easily accomplished with
Thermal Technology’s
innovative "chandelier" trim heaters. The top and bottom chandeliers were
specifically designed for large hot zone furnaces requiring tight temperature
uniformities. Thermal Technology manufactures all of its refractory metal heating
elements in house, something other furnace manufacturers do not do. This allows
Thermal Technology to
carefully control the quality of its heating elements at the source rather than relying on
an outside vendor.
NIN’s processes require high purity hydrogen atmospheres. In order
to assure this, Thermal Technology provided a hydrogen purification system to eliminate contaminants from
the hydrogen supply. |
|
Thermal Technology has over 75 years of combined experience in the business of
engineering and manufacturing high temperature furnace systems. Visit us on the Internet
at: http://ThermalTechnology.com/ or contact us directly for information on our full
line of Astro and Brew high temperature furnace systems. Give us a call with your
requirements, and we will find a standard system to meet your needs or design a custom
unit specifically for you.
Thermal Technology
Thomas C. Clappier
Vice President, Marketing and Sales
1911 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa, California 95403 USA
Telephone: (707) 571-1911
Fax: (707) 571-8098
Email: sales@thermaltechnology.com |
cards.