FURNACE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS
Maintaining a clean and efficient molten metal furnace is paramount in various industrial processes, ranging from metal casting to steel production. The molten metal furnace serves as the heart of these operations, providing the crucial heat required for melting raw materials into a molten state. However, over time, the furnace’s performance can deteriorate due to the accumulation of impurities, slag, and other residues. Hence, regular and meticulous cleaning of the molten metal furnace is essential to ensure optimal productivity, minimize downtime, uphold product quality, and guarantee the safety of the personnel working in such environments. In this article, we will delve into the critical requirements for cleaning molten metal furnaces, exploring effective techniques, safety measures, and the overall importance of furnace maintenance in industrial settings.
The glow bar heated portion of this furnace will generate a significant amount of oxides. The oxides that float should be removed daily by scraping and skimming.
The oxides that sink will build up on the floor of the furnace and much of it will settle in the area between the filters. A depth of more than three inches will have a detrimental effect on the immersion heater between the filters and should be removed with a flux wand and skimmed off. You may elect to pull the heater to make it easier to do a complete job. The areas downstream form the filters will need occasional skimming but bottom oxides should not be a problem.
The immersion heaters can be scraped with a special tool without removing the heaters from the metal. The heater between the filters may need scraping once a week and the others once every two weeks. It is not necessary to turn the heaters off when cleaning them.
Filter changes require removal of the entire immersion heater cover with the heaters. A drop of more than one inch across the filter when the pump filling process is ongoing is an indication that the filter should be changed. You will have to chip away some oxides at the top corners of the filters and the steel straps that retain the filters to free the filter. A flux wand should be used to clean the bottom of the furnace before installing the new filter.
When removing a heater or the complete heater cover, the power should be turned down to 25%. If the power is off for an extended period of time and the heaters cool below 1000 deg. F a gradual lowering process should be followed.
A cold tube with a heater in it should be suspended five inches above the metal for five minutes, then lowered 2 inches per minute until seated.
