DTI–1361 Cure Ovens
Customer directive
Our customer wanted a means to safely heat and cure resin soaked honeycomb composite blocks that produce volatile organic compounds (VOC) as a byproduct. These volatile organic compounds can cause an explosive atmosphere and cannot be introduced into the atmosphere. The orientation of the honeycomb was such that airflow had to impinge the product horizontally. The customer also wanted the oven to have a vertical door that was controlled by the PLC and could be opened without power in case of a power outage.
Description
The DTI-1361 cure ovens were designed with indirect fired heat sources to ensure that there was no source of ignition inside of the ovens. Thermal oil was used to heat the oven circulation air and the oven intake air was heated by an air-to-air heat exchanger. Both the thermal oil and air-to-air heat exchangers used waste heat from the process exhaust of the catalytic thermal oxidizer that was used to destroy the VOC in the process airstream. The oven airflow through the product chamber was left to right with a variable design velocity to account for the pressure drop through a variety of block sizes and to provide uniform heating throughout the block. The product was supported and transported into and out of the oven by a wireless powered cart with adjustable baffles to direct airflow through the block. The vertical door utilized a pneumatic over hydraulic lifting system controlled by the PLC during normal operation which allowed electronic locking and automated door control. In the event of a power loss to the oven, the door could then be opened by an emergency pneumatic push button energized by an air tank located on each oven.
Specifications
| Product Being Processed | Honeycomb composite material used in Aerospace industry |
| Overall Length, Width, Height | 29’-9” L x 15’-0” W x 22’-3” H (9068mm x 4572mm x 6782mm) |
| Heated Chamber Length, Width, Height | 15’-9” L x 5’-3” W x 10’-0” H (4801mm x 1600mm x 3048mm) |
| Type of Heating System | Heat recovery air-to-air heat exchanger & thermal oil |
| Design Operating Temperature | 350°F (177°C) |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | 450°F (232°C) |
| Product Support | Wireless powered cart system |
| Controls | PLC control with operator HMI, UL listed control enclosure, paperless chart recorder to record cycle. |
Alternative capabilities
Davron Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures custom industrial ovens of this type to meet many unique process requirements, including but not limited to, the following:
- Airflow: Designs can be completed to provide airflow from any direction within the heated chamber as required by the product. This particular process provides horizontal airflow but it can be vertical up or down as well.
- Industries Served: Aerospace, Catalyst Manufacturing/Regeneration, or any industry that requires batch processing.
- Materials Processed: Particularly any Honeycomb or Cellular type product that may contain solvents or VOC with a directional flow requirement. The oven /cart system can also be used for many other types of products and can be designed in any size required.
- Other Processes: Preheating, Curing, Drying, Solvent Drying, Bonding
- Heating Systems: Modulating Gas Fired Direct or Indirect, Electric, or Thermal Oil.
