To measure thermal resistance to heat flow at 1600ᴼc in a compound heating resistance furnace for optimization of furnace efficiency

Abstract

The present paper examines the performance of a resistance heating furnace by measuring the resistance of two different heating elements, namely, Silicon Carbide (SiC) heating rods and Molybdenum Di-Silicide (MoSi2) heating elements, to raise the working chamber temperature to 1600ᴼC for heating the charge materials. SiC rods are used to raise the working chamber temperature, starting from the beginning (ambience) temperature of 35ᴼC up to 1300ᴼC. Then MoSi2 heating elements will be used to raise the chamber temperature from 1300ᴼC to the set temperature at 1600ᴼC. Transition from SiC to MoSi2, heating system is uninterrupted, and swift in heating element effected by inter-locking system (an electronic device or an electro-magnetic system) without any drop in effect. Use of two different heating elements has been tested to achieve many objectives, like saving amperage (current consumption), long life of the heating elements, and optimization of thermal efficiency for high working temperature at 1600ᴼC for long hours. This is achieved by creating resistance to the flow of electrons through an element (a good conductor for electricity as well as heat). Thus, due to high friction, a temperature is developed and heats the charged materials, up to a temperature as high as 1600ᴼC. This method is applied in an environment of air, inert gas, vacuum, etc. with no pollution, for programmable and also for non-programmable types of cycles of operations set before starting the furnace within a maximum working temperature of 1600ᴼC to achieve the objectives of a Compound Heating Resistance (CHR) furnace satisfactorily.