Burn-Off/Bake-Off Oven Features

AUTOMATIC PROCESS CONTROL (APC)

US PATENT (5,189,963)

APC is the ultimate in control systems for a burn-off oven. The purpose of the control system is to provide the quickest cleaning cycle time while protecting the product, operator and the workplace The ARC system automati-cally adjusts the required cycle time to the weight of the load and the amount of combustible material on the parts: thus, ARC provides the shortest possible cycle time for the load being processed. There is no under or over processing with the APC. The control system requires zero input from the operator. Digital temperature control-lers are programmed to respond to the rale of temperature change in both the over and the afterburner: rapid temperature changes are caused by exotherms and excessive combustible vapor levels. The controllers activate primary water sprays to control the process at a safe rate. Large backup sprays are activated within seconds if the primary sprays are not adequate. In the event that primary and backup water sprays are not able to control a rapid temperature rise, the oven burner will shut down. the afterburner will stay on, and the water sprays will continue to operate. If there is an afterburner failure, or if there is a momentary power failure, then water sprays are also activated to cool the oven down. This will prevent smoke emissions from the stack. For better tempera-ture control, the ARC fires the burners high and low instead of On and Off. The frequency of lighting failures and wear on the burners will be reduced. The APC will not allow the oven to turn off while any combustible materials remain in the oven, The APC will turn the oven off automatically when the load is complete. The ARC is a significant improvement over cycle time control or ramp & soak control.

• APC will prevent fires, part damage & operator injury.
• APC provides faster and safer processing than other control systems.
• APC is not a “Ramp & Soak” control. “Ramp & Soak” control requires that exact cycle profiles be programmed in the controller and that the operator be able to select the appropriate program for the load to be processed. ARC will automatically adjust to the load and requires no program selection.

UNIQUE TOP-DOWN HEATING DESIGN

US PATENT (5,351.632)

Top / Down Heating is a unique patented exterior multi-chamber design in which the oven is heated from the top to the bottom. The primary (oven) burner releases heat in the top of the oven and the afterburner removes cool air and combustible products from the bottom. The positioning of the burners is the reverse of other burn-off ovens.

• Parts and carts aren’t blasted with hot gases: thus, they are less likely to be damaged.
• Combustible smoke naturally sinks to the floor in a burn-off over where it is continuously removed: thus, fires are prevented and efficiency is improved.
• 100% of heat passes through parts before being removed; thus. efficiency & cycle times are better.
• Exterior chambers eliminate damage during loading and unloading: thus, maintenance is reduced.

Also, unlike other burn-off oven manufacturers, Steelman uses industrial quality cast iron burners. These burners are built to significantly greater durability and reliability standards than the light duty sheet metal burners used by other manufacturers. Also, these industrial quality heavy duty burners are available with inputs exceeding 1 million BTU/Hr.

• Increased BTU/Hr inputs contribute to decreased cycle times.
• Improved durability & reliability means lees down time, less service and lower maintenace cost.
• Industrial Quality Burners provide lower NOx and CO emissions.

A high fire afterburner is included standard with every oven, allowing the afterburner to rapidly heat up and maintain a minimum of 1,500″F during operation. This assures that the afterburner will always be ready to process vapors produced in the oven. Other systems that don’t incorporate a high fire burner may emit smoke and odor while the afterburner is heating up. This benefit also allows the oven to process at a maximum rate. The system is deactivated above 1500uF in order to conserve energy.

• This feature is environmentally preferred and already required in some states.
• The high fire afterburner will reduce cycle times.