Analysis of Thermodynamic Parameter Variability in a Chamber of a Furnace for Thermo-Chemical Treatment

Abstract

This paper presents results of research on unevenness of cylinder heating in a furnace for thermo-chemical treatment. Experimental research was conducted with respect to nitriding. Various heating speeds and settings of the fan operation in the furnace were considered. Boundary conditions were calculated in the form of temperature and the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) on the cylinder boundary in four planes along the cylinder length. Calculations were performed with the use of the inverse problem for non-linear and unsteady heat conduction equations. Boundary conditions from individual planes were compared with the mean value of them all. The variability of the calculated boundary conditions (temperature and HTC) along the cylinder length was investigated based on values of the absolute and relative differences for temperature and HTC. Estimates: mean value, mean value from the absolute value and the maximum values for the absolute and the relative differences of temperature and HTC were also calculated. Estimates were the measurements of the unevenness of cylinder heating in a furnace for thermo-chemical treatment. Based on the results of our research, it was found that an increase of the fan rotational speed from 50% to 100%, with the same heating speed, resulted in a significant leveling of temperature in the analyzed planes. The difference in temperature along the cylinder length was reduced from 6.8 °C to 3.3 °C. The increase of the heating speed from 5 °C/min to 10 °C/min resulted in an increase of the unevenness of the cylinder heating. Values of the absolute differences of temperature in the analyzed planes with reference to the mean temperature changed from an interval from −2.7 °C to 2.3 °C to a range from −4 °C to 5 °C. In processes with a heating speed greater than 5 °C/min, more intensive heating in the end part of the cylinder (close to the cylinder) was achieved than it was in other planes. It was proven by temperature values, which were higher, even, by 5.4 °C, and by HTC values, higher by 11.4 W/m2K, when compared with mean values. Obtained results can form the basis for nitriding process optimization.