UltraFlex demonstrating susceptor heating of graphite in argon atmosphere using Induction Heating

NEW YORK - Sept. 20, 2017 - PRLog -- In a recent demonstration of their Low Power Induction Heating systems from the UltraHeat S series, UltraFlex Power Technologies successfully heated graphite in argon atmosphere to a target temperature of 550◦C (1022◦F) for a total of 46.05 minutes.

The demonstration was done per customer's request and continued with heating the graphite to the maximum temperature possible to be achieved without retuning the equipment - 636.2◦C (1177.16◦F), taking a total of 66.45 minutes. The induction heating process was accomplished using an HS – 5W Heat Station, a UPT SM2/200 Power Supply and a custom designed UltraFlex 12-turns coil.

The demo required a vacuum pump attached to quartz enclosure with UPT coil wrapped around the quartz, an argon feed tank, a Hydra temperature recorder and a K type thermocouple used for taking temperature measurements every second. The Quartz chamber was set to a vacuum of 0.04MPa, after which it was pressurized with argon to 0.04MPa. The graphite was seated in insulation to prevent damage to the quartz tube.

The first stage of the induction heating process, which aimed at reaching the target temperature of 550◦C (1022◦F) was carried out using manually regulated power of 0.06 kW to 0.50 kW, at frequency of 103 kHz. The average heat rate was 0.199◦C (32.36◦F) per second, with the total time taken to reach the target temperature being 46.05 minutes.

For stage 2 where reaching the maximum possible temperature without tuning the equipment was aimed, the power used was 0.50 kW to 0.63 kW. The power output limit was set to 0.63 kW due to machine settings and test fixture set up.

At the same frequency of 103 kHz and average heat rate of 0.07◦C (32.13◦F) per second, the temperature was increased from 550.17◦C (1022.31◦F) to the maximum of 636.2◦C (1177.16◦F) within another 20.4 minutes.

As a final stage, the graphite was let to cool down, from a starting temperature of 636.2◦C (1177.16◦F) to the end temperature of 33.6◦C (92.48◦F), using unchanged frequency of 103 kHz. The time taken was 70.18 minutes. The graphite part cooled down to room temperature but argon atmosphere was no longer regulated after 33.6◦C (92.48◦F).

The demonstration showed that UltraFlex induction Heating systems could successfully heat graphite to a customer-desired temperature level and further, using a compact, economical and versatile induction unit, easy to tune to a variety of loads and coils.

Find out more at:

https://ultraflexpower.com/

About UltraFlex Power Technologies:

Ultraflex Power Technologies (http://ultraflexpower.com) manufactures and sells induction heating power supplies. Induction power supplies generate a precise, targeted electromagnetic field that induces heat in conductive materials without the need for a flame or any contact with the material.

An induction heating system consists of an induction power supply and a custom-designed inductor (also known as a coil). The induction power supplies are universal systems, with custom coils designed to optimize the heating process for the specific application. These systems can be used for  heating conductive materials in variety of applications ranging from metal melting and heat-treating to medical and nanoparticle research.