New Hot Zone Design Reduces Energy Losses by Fifty Percent
The R&D team at 91传媒 has developed a new hot zone design concept to reduce vacuum furnace power losses (kw) by up to 50%. Energy loss has long been a concern among vacuum furnace engineers. However, solutions to this problem have been extremely slow in coming to market. Solar鈥檚 new hot zone design will be a rare and notable advancement for the heat treating industry.
This innovation was based on thermal loss calculations paired with extensive laboratory vacuum furnace testing.聽 The improved hot zone will be more energy-efficient in the same insulation dimensions and without compromising vacuum performance. Although initial costs are somewhat higher, payback with reduced energy costs is expected within the first year of operation with significant savings to occur in the following years.
To test-drive the design and make a direct comparison to current hot zones, 91传媒 is rebuilding a mid-size production vacuum furnace hot zone in its corporate headquarters, Souderton, PA. Very careful power measurements will be obtained with a Fluke Model 1735, true RMS, power computer and with fixed hot zone thermocouples placed within the new hot zone insulation system at soaking temperatures of 1600掳F, 1800掳F, 2000掳F, 2200掳F, 2400掳F, 2600掳F and 2800掳F to prove out the design. Testing will begin in early 2012, so results 鈥減roving out鈥� this design will be released in the near future.