Customer requirements for low investment costs, as well as low production costs, were the driving forces behind the need to build a furnace that was as compact as possible. Although one must usually invest in measures designed to reduce energy consumption and production costs, this is not the case with a Gautschi Compact Coil Furnace (CCF).
CCF furnace technology has now been augmented by the incorporation of an electric heating system This not only supports the EBNER GROUP’s strategy for “Driving Green Technologies”, but also meets the market’s increasing demand for alternative solutions to conventional gas-heated facilities.
THE LAYOUT OF A CCF
The cylindrical central section accommodates the coil that is to be heat treated. By opening a double-leaf door, a coil can be charged/decharged from above. Recirculation fans and the heating system are installed in the two end sections positioned to the left and right. Heating can be carried out using either a gas-fired or electric system. Circulation air is distributed across the surface of a coil by a system employing round nozzles.
After a coil is charged, the two leaves of the door are closed. The end sections are then pneumatically shifted up to the central section. All furnace components are designed with dual seals, preventing the loss of thermal energy and making them air-tight. The annealing process can be carried out with or without process atmosphere. A cooling circuit can also be integrated at need. Control cabinets and the rack for the electric heating system can be installed near or alongside the furnace, as requested by the customer. Should the product mix be changed at a later date, the relatively simple design of the central section allows it to be easily replaced.
The heating elements are designed as modular units, and consist of tubular heating elements (12.5 mm) fabricated from stainless steel. All heating elements are installed in the end sections of the furnace, and are easy to replace. The temperature in each end section is controlled separately, using thyristor power controllers. The patented design of the furnace allows the customer’s existing coil handling system to be used for charging. Either a coil grab or a C-hook may be used.
A CCF is an extremely energy-efficient and eco-friendly technology, and thus a solution that reduces costs. Savings are achieved through the reduction of energy and atmosphere consumption, with these reductions leading to a reduction in emissions or potentially even their elimination.