New laboratory furnace from Carbolite provides continuous processing of powders in an inert atmosphere
A special laboratory tube furnace manufactured by Carbolite processes powders continuously at temperatures up to 1200C while ensuring consistent mixing of the materials.
The equipment has been designed for processing up to five litres of material at a time at controlled throughput rates in an inert atmosphere, with minimal agglomeration.
This has been achieved by incorporating a rotating work tube which can also be tilted to control throughput.
The speed of rotation can be adjusted from 2rpm to 12rpm, and the angle of tilt between zero and 10deg from horizontal.
Material is fed into the 75mm diameter work tube by a vibrating feeder equipped with a speed controller and five litre hopper.
It then passes through the work tube and into a collection hopper at the exit end.
The furnace has a heated length of 1100mm divided into three independently-controlled zones to allow a temperature gradient to be achieved.
Total length of the work tube is 1800mm.
To ensure the material is processed in an inert atmosphere, a chamber encloses the collection hopper, seals are provided for the tube ends and the input feeder, and provision is made for gas supply.
The equipment also has programmable controllers and overtemperature protection.