Alcan Case Study

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Infra-red Muffle Heater helps Alcan

The Problem

Alcan International Laboratories use autoclaves as part of their research and developmental procedures. These autoclaves have traditionally used conventional heating afforded by metal sheathed elements which were slow to transfer heat to the liquid within the vessel. The associated lengthy time lag meant that control of temperature was slow and difficult. The handling of the vessel itself was also difficult as it required lifting from a hole in the table. As a consequence of these lengthy heat up times and difficult mechanical handling, Alcan’s productivity was low and waiting time excessive.

The Solution

As each of Alcan’s autoclaves became due for refurbishment, a much better heating and handling system was sought. Infra-red Systems International Ltd installed a fast response short-wave infra-red muffle heater with opening door and made a cut-out in the table for the easy handling of the autoclave vessel. The heater uses just 4kW of fast response infra-red elements and represents an extremely fast and efficient alternative to conventional autoclave heating systems.

The Benefits

With a heater response time of just one second there are no lengthy warm-up times and radiant heat is transferred directly to the vessel. This means that the temperature of the liquid within the vessel can now be raised to a typical 150°C in just 20 minutes in contrast to the original one hour. The temperature can be very closely controlled using a burst-fire power controller via closed loop information from the thermocouple within the vessel. In addition, the whole autoclave vessel can be removed by opening the infra-red heater door and sliding the vessel clear.

Electric Infra-red Heating

Infra-red heating is based on the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic radiation. Infra-red emitters are classified according to the temperature dependent peak wavelength which they emit and can be short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave.

Infra-red is both versatile and flexible and finds application throughout the industrial spectrum, from paint curing to print drying and from rubber vulcanising to metal heating.

Electric infra-red systems are more compact than convection ovens and are easily controlled. They are also extremely efficient as the emitters are switched on only when required and very responsive because of their rapid warm-up.

* Photo’s used by permission