Harper’s pusher furnaces and tunnel kilns are ideal for processes requiring precise control of temperature and atmosphere, for those with longer residence times that require exact control of the heat up rate of the product (temperature profile), and those with a lower gas/solid reaction. Our focus is on systems that offer the greatest operating life, lowest operating cost, and highest efficiency for the manufacturing of advanced materials.
Our innovative design enhancements consider the delicate pressure control within the system to provide accurate direction of the atmosphere flow path in the kiln. This facilitates evacuation of volatiles and optimizes atmosphere uniformity. Additionally, Harper’s unique gas curtain technology provides zone-to-zone atmosphere definition under specific conditions. Our distinctive stripping chamber design provides optimal isolation of internal tunnel chamber environment from ambient as well as efficient purging of ambient atmosphere entrained within the load entering the furnace without the use of mechanical doors and seals.
Harper offers a distinct advantage in pusher furnaces in gas, electric, and hybrid heated systems. We approach the design of a conveyor kiln as a complete system, with the ability to incorporate advanced control systems, skid mounting, gas treatment and handling, turnkey installation and complete field commissioning. Field service can incorporate control instrumentation integration and programming as well as process engineering optimization and support.
Pusher Furnace Design Enhancements
- Advanced
graphite pusher furnaces for high temperature applications incorporate strategic heating element placement to achieve optimal temperature uniformity and advanced insulation designs to reduce energy consumption - Precise control of atmosphere dew point along the length of the furnace achieved through sophisticated gas distribution technology
- Optimized design for maintenance and replacement parts and minimization of field installation effort through modular construction
- Multiple independently controlled temperature zones (length and width)
Pusher Furnace Capabilities
- Temperatures to 2800°C
- Electric, gas, or dual-fuel fired systems
- Controlled atmospheres including flammables gases, as well as multiple atmospheres
- Process gas circulating and conditioning systems
- Defined residence times and capacity
- Automatic material handling and return systems
- Advanced seal design
- Automatic feed loading and product unloading
Typical Pusher Furnace Applications
Sintering- Calcination
- Oxide Reduction
- Carbonization
- Solid-solid reaction
- Gas-solid reaction
- Purification
- Metalizing
- Debinding
- Parts processing
Learn more…
- Our passion for Thermal Processing – meet some of our exceptional team
- Materials ideal for Pusher Furnaces – Metal Oxides, Powders, Rare Earths, Technical Ceramics, Energy Device Materials, Nuclear Materials
