Source: Solar Atmospheres of Western PA
With electricity costs increasing, heat treat facilities are looking for ways to harness energy and minimize heat loss 
through a variety of insulating methods and applications. Heat Treat Today‘s Technical Tuesday feature comes from Reál J. Fradette of Solar Atmospheres Inc of Souderton, PA (with Nicholas R. Cordisco of Solar Manufacturing Inc. contributing), analyzing the different types of furnace hot zone insulation materials with the following points taken into consideration:
A) Hot Zone Designs
- All-Metal Designs
- Ceramic Fiber Included Designs
- Graphite Type Insulated Hot Zones
B) Defining Hot Zone Losses For Different Hot Zone Configurations
- Calculating Power Losses For A Given Size Furnace
- Effect Of Hot Zone Losses On Heating Rates and Peak Power
C) Effect on Power Losses With Various Insulation Layers and Thicknesses
- Projecting Relative Losses Versus Felt Thicknesses
D) Equating Insulation Designs To Actual Power Usage
- Projecting Cycle Costs For Different Areas Of Operation
- Impact of Hot Zone Type on Total Cycle Cost
E) Summary And Conclusions
An excerpt:
The heating rate of a load will dictate the total energy required to heat that load at that heating rate. Heating as fast as possible is not often the best solution to the application.
