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[September 2004]
Umicore Orders Tunnel Kilns for Calcining Ceramic Powder
After a long and successful cooperation, with two kilns from Ceric Wistra GmbH (Wiesbaden, Germany) already in operation at the customer's plant in South Korea, Umicore has ordered a further two new tunnel kilns. These will fire high tech lithium-cobalt powder used for the mobile 'phone and computer battery industry. This type of product requires a finely tuned atmosphere control and an accurate firing curve that is achieved through an electrical heating system and other special features.
The kiln steelwork consists of standard beam sections coated with anti-corrosion paint and constructed into individual modules to allow for easy transportation in containers and rapid final assembly on site.
A special ventilation system is installed into the double roof of the kiln in order to achieve several functions:
-- cooling of the copper bars that transmit the power to the heating elements.
-- overpressure system for improving the tightness of the kiln.
-- cooling of the external kiln panels.
Dense ceramic fibre was preinstalled into the kiln modules in the workshop in order to reduce the amount of time and expense for site assembly. Only one row of fibre blanket needed to be installed after the modules were bolted together on site and the kiln cars required just the special shape to complete the labyrinth seal.
Ceric Wistra reports that the design of double track, electrically heated tunnel kiln provides firing cycles that are "perfectly" achieved, with temperature uniformity inside the kiln exceeding the customer's required specifications. Records show a maximum deviation of 15°C during the heating phase and no more than 5°C during top temperature soak. This high level of uniformity in the kiln ensures, says the company, perfect reproduction of the process and will allow for a reduction in the firing cycle from 24 to 20 hours.
Website: www.ceric-wistra.com
ENDS