Fluidised Bed Furnaces - Prestige Thermal

FLUIDISED BED

Overview

Prestige Thermal Equipment fluidised beds offer high temperature, (typically 1100°C), clean and efficient method of surface heat treatment. PTE Fluidised beds give flexibility in the range of heat treatments a single unit can perform. Rapid heat up allows shut downs between batches and low heat losses make it energy efficient. The bed of inert material, such as alumina powder or silica sand may be fluidised by either a non oxidising gas, e.g. nitrogen, or air. Hence the bed is non-corrosive, non-toxic, non-abrasive.

The bed behaves like a well stirred liquid; hence heat is rapidly distributed throughout the work zone. This provides excellent temperature uniformity, which gives consistent performance minimising reject components.

Fluidised Beds

fluidised bed furnaces, the latest in fluidised bed technology, offer heat treating flexibility traditional equipment can't provide...

Fast, uniform heating.
Process flexibility with quick changeover.
Low operating and capital costs.

Specifications:

Standard capacities to 4500 lbs.
Temperatures to 2200ºF.
Heating: Gas or electric.
Computerised temperature, fluidisation and atmosphere gas control standard.
Automation available.

Applications

Hardening.
Tempering.
Carbonitriding.
Nitriding.
Carburising.
Nitrocarburising.

Benifits

Harden, temper, stress relieve and anneal in the same unit.

Nitride and nitrocarburise in the upgraded HTN furnace.

Switch off (saving energy) even for extended periods without significant loss in bed temperature. The subsequent cost of reheating is reduced (see Fig 1 & Fig 2). This allows the user to switch off during high winter peak periods.

No disposal of toxic salt waste, aluminium oxide can be reused by simply placing back into the furnace.

Smaller fluid bed furnaces can be used in the same manner as the standard 24" salt pot, ie: wired components placed on bars. When changing from salt to fluid bed, operator training can be completed in days.

Rapid transfer by hand will ensure minimum oxidisation. The surface finish, even with oil quenched components, is comparable with other heat treatment processes.

Automatic start up means the equipment can be at operating temperature by the start of the shift, enabling the user to take advantage of the cheap night rate electricity.

No washing or shot blasting necessary.

Unparalleled temperature uniformity at all stages of the process cycle ensures the highest level of quality and guaranteed repeatability. This minimises the likelihood of rejected work and consequent reprocessing.

Quench into oil, water or for a completely dry process, quench into a fluidised bed.