Characteristics of experimental multi zone rotary furnace

The experimental multi temperature zone rotary furnace is a high-precision experimental equipment that combines independent temperature control and dynamic rotary processing functions in multiple temperature zones. It is widely used in scientific research fields such as material synthesis, catalytic reactions, and heat treatment. Its core characteristics are reflected in temperature control, dynamic processing, structural design, and experimental adaptability. The following analysis is conducted from four dimensions:

1. Multi zone independent temperature control: achieving complex process simulation
Construction of gradient temperature field
The equipment is equipped with 2-4 independent heating zones, each of which can be individually set for temperature, heating rate, and holding time, forming a linear or nonlinear temperature gradient. For example, in catalytic reaction experiments, the dynamic process of reactants entering the high-temperature reaction zone (800 ℃) from the low-temperature preheating zone (200 ℃) can be simulated to accurately control the reaction path.
The temperature range is separated by high insulation materials (such as ceramic fibers) to reduce thermal interference and ensure temperature independence in each temperature zone. The length of the transition section in the typical equipment temperature zone is ≤ 50mm, and the temperature fluctuation is ≤ ± 2 ℃.
Accurate dynamic temperature control
Adopting a PID intelligent temperature control system, combined with real-time feedback from thermocouples (such as K-type and S-type), to achieve temperature closed-loop control. For example, in sintering experiments, a complex process curve can be set with a temperature deviation of ≤± 1.5 ℃, which is “heating up from 10 ℃/min to 1200 ℃, holding for 2 hours, and then naturally cooling down”.
Support program temperature rise function, can store multiple sets of process parameters, and facilitate quick calling of repeated experiments.

2. Rotating dynamic processing: improving experimental uniformity and efficiency
Three-dimensional mixing effect
The furnace tube rotates at a speed of 1-15 rpm, combined with tilt angle adjustment (such as -5 ° -20 °), to generate axial rolling and radial mixing of materials inside the furnace, significantly improving heat and mass transfer efficiency. For example, in powder sintering experiments, rotary processing can improve the uniformity of sample density by more than 30%.
Dynamic processing reduces the contact time between materials and the inner wall of furnace tubes, reduces the risk of wall sticking, and is particularly suitable for experiments on viscous or molten materials such as glass and molten salt.
Enhanced process flexibility
The rotary function supports continuous feeding and discharging, and can simulate the working mode of industrial fluidized bed reactors. For example, in catalytic cracking experiments, precise control of the residence time of reactants is achieved by controlling the feed rate and furnace tube speed.
Combined with multi temperature zone design, an integrated continuous process of “preheating reaction cooling” can be achieved, shortening the experimental cycle.

3. Modular structure design: adapt to diversified experimental requirements
Furnace tube material is optional
Select furnace tube material based on experimental temperature and atmosphere:
Quartz tube: suitable for experiments at ≤ 1100 ℃ in inert or oxidizing atmospheres (such as CVD coating), with good transparency for in-situ observation.
Corundum tube (Al ₂ O ∝): temperature resistance ≤ 1600 ℃, strong corrosion resistance, suitable for experiments with corrosive gases such as sulfur and chlorine.
Metal tubes (such as Hastelloy): Temperature resistance ≤ 1200 ℃, suitable for reducing atmospheres (such as H ₂) or high-pressure experiments (such as 0.1-10MPa).
Integration of Atmosphere Control System
The equipment is equipped with a mass flow meter (MFC) and a vacuum pump, which can be filled with inert gas (N ₂ Ar）、 Reductive gases (H ₂, CO) or reactive gases (O ₂, NH3), with precise flow control (0.1-500mL/min).
The vacuum rotary furnace can achieve a high vacuum environment of ≤ 10Pa, meeting the requirements of anaerobic sintering or vapor deposition experiments.
Security protection design
The furnace body adopts a double-layer explosion-proof structure, with the inner layer made of high-temperature refractory material, the outer layer made of cold-rolled steel plate, and the middle filled with insulation cotton. The surface temperature is ≤ 60 ℃.
Equipped with safety devices such as over temperature alarm, leakage protection, emergency stop button, etc., to ensure the safety of operators.

4. High precision and repeatability: ensuring the reliability of scientific research data
Temperature uniformity optimization
By optimizing the layout of heating elements (such as spiral winding) and furnace tube structure (such as thin-walled design), the radial temperature difference can be reduced. Typical equipment has a radial temperature difference of ≤± 3 ℃ and an axial temperature difference of ≤± 5 ℃ at 800 ℃.
Rotary processing further eliminates local overheating and ensures overall temperature consistency of the sample.
Data recording and analysis function
The device is equipped with a built-in data acquisition system that can record real-time parameters such as temperature, speed, and atmosphere flow rate, and generate curve reports. For example, in thermogravimetric analysis experiments, sample mass changes and temperature curves can be synchronously recorded to assist in analyzing reaction kinetics.
Supports USB or RS485 interfaces, making it easy to export data to software such as LabVIEW and Origin for in-depth analysis.
Long term stability guarantee
The heating element adopts a long-life design (such as a silicon carbide rod with a lifespan of ≥ 2000 hours) to reduce the frequency of replacement.
The inner wall of the furnace tube is polished (roughness Ra ≤ 0.8 μ m) to reduce the risk of material adhesion and extend the service life of the equipment.