Need help finding High Temperature and High Pressure Furnace manufacturers 1

[hugin8]

Hi All,

I am trying to find quotes for a HIP-esque system that can use an oxygen/argon blend, any input would be appreciated.

Our requirements are rather specific (see below). I just thought I'd see if anyone here has worked with a similar system, and could point me to any particular manufacturers. We have considered putting the system together ourselves, but time is a constraint. An out-of-the-box system that meets the requirements would be ideal. If anyone can recommend any manufacturers/websites, I would really appreciate it.

The process we are working on requires:
--High Temperature: Max Temperature of 900degC
--Moderate pressure: minimum 25atm (~400psi) , the higher the better
--Oxygen Atmosphere: We will need 1atm partial pressure of oxygen, and a balance of Argon (e.g. 4%O2/96%Ar @ 25atm, 2%O2/98%Ar @ 50atm, 1%O2/99%Ar @ 100atm, etc.)
--Moderate Hotzone volume: minimum of roughly 4 inch diameter by 6 inch height, the bigger the better
--High Homogeneity: +/- 1.0degC throughout the hotzone
--Multi segment process control: standard PID controllers, multiple zones preferred

We have seen some furnaces that might work, but I would like to find one or two more at least.
Here's one we found by MTI corp. Model OTF1200X-60UV. It would work, but the hotzone is small.

Thanks in advance for any feedback,

 

[Compositepro]

You can try Autoclave Engineers. Keep in mind that what you are looking for is often called an autoclave.

 

[EdStainless]

That is a lab sized HIP furnace.
Try this.

http://www.avure.com/iso/products/prod-specs-lab-hip.asp

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Plymouth Tube

 

[unclesyd]

What you want is a Hot Isostatic Press used for Hipping. There are numerous maker in the market. Depending on your specific needs you maybe able to find a a used one.
Here is one manufacturer of said equipment. or testing there are service center that will do one off or short run jobs.

http://www.aiphip.com/WebPages/TollHIPPrices3.htm

 

[hugin8]

Thank you all for the input and quick responses!

I have been looking at HIP's from various manufacturers. Also, we have a lab scale HIP made by AIP that ended up not working for us. A HIP is almost exactly what we need, but I haven't found one with suitable homogeneity. I.e. The size of the the constant temperature zone just isn't large enough (I think I know why, see details below). The HIP we have has a 50degC gradient across the working volume, and we need closer to 2degC gradient.

I had not thought of looking for 'autoclaves'. Thanks for the suggestion.

Details explaining homogeneity issue: A "HIP" is generally Cold-Wall. This means that the furnace is completely contained inside the pressure vessel, and insulation/cooling keep the pressure vessel at relatively low temperatures (maybe as high as 300C, not sure of the exact value). This is what permits very high operational pressures (up to 30 kpsi, 2 kpsi is common) without bursting the pressure vessel even at high process temperatures (1200C). On one hand, those high pressures are more than enough for the experiments we're setting up and the temperature range is adequate, which is good. However, these HIP's use very small furnaces/heating-elements (approximately 8"OD x 12"length for lab scale) so that it will fit inside the pressure vessel. That small of a furnace just won't achieve the +/-1.0degC homogeneity we need for our samples (which are about 4"ODx6"Length). I haven't looked into larger, pilot or industrial scale hips, only lab scale. Can anyone attest to the size of the constant temperature zone or homogeneity for these systems? Also, I had not mentioned this, but our materials will be extremely fragile after HIPping, so I do not believe a service center would work for us because the samples would very likely be damaged while being shipped back. However, I would reconsider this option if I had some indication that the constant temperature zone would be large enough...

Thanks again!

 

[unclesyd]

I would definately give a call. As with most any furnace they they relate to % of full scale for the precision. There is also another company that makes very precision furnaces. I'm try to recall a name and the only thing I remember is that their equipment is red. I'll keep trying.
There are several tricks you can use to help with the heat gradient in a furnace, one that I've used is using a thermal mass. This approach is used in several processes. There is also a secondary chamber type furnace, not sure how it works but understand it does.
Will higher pressure help you on the heat gradient problem? If it will you might go to a furnace made by Harwood Engineering.

http://harwoodeng.com/products/pressure-vessels/laboratory/

There is also a modification of the diamond anvil press that has a very good temperature profile, it is small.

 

[unclesyd]

Goofed on the first pass. I would definately give a call to AVS to discuss your problem. like I post I'll try to jar the windmills about the other company. We had a piece of equipment from them but it and the people that worked around it are gone.

 

[unclesyd]

Here is a book/paper that I ran across while looking for the red furnace.

Temperature gradient in a furnace.